If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It can be stressful when you lose your car keys. Take a deep breath before you panic and go about your day to see if you can find them. They could be in your pocket or inside a bag you took out of your car.
Contact your insurance company. They can often pay for the replacement of your car keys if notify them promptly.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most frequent reasons for car theft is leaving keys inside. According to the statistics that a car is stolen every 32 seconds, and it costs Americans more than $8 billion every year. This statistic shows why it is important to keep your key in a secure place. It's a good idea to invest in high quality locks and store spare keys.
Contact the police if are unsure where your keys are. The officers can check their records and give you advice about protecting your vehicle. Additionally, they will be able give you an identification number for crimes that is required to file a claim with your insurance company.
Next, decide whether it's worth filing claims to your car insurance policy for lost keys. The decision will depend on what type of key you own and how much it will cost to replace it. Some modern cars have electronic keys, also known as smart keys, which are more expensive to replace when compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.
The majority of auto insurance companies will pay for a locksmith to come to your vehicle in the event that you've been locked out. However, they won't cover the cost of making an entirely new key for you, so you will have to pay for it out of pocket. It is important to keep in mind that your premiums could go up in the event of a claim, so it's worth weighing the pros and cons before doing so.
If your car has an upgraded key that requires to be re-sequenced using the computer in your car or re-paired with the barrels, you'll have to visit your auto dealership to have this done. This could cost hundreds of dollars based on your policy and the car dealer. If you lose a highly-enhanced car key, it may be worth the effort to file a claim but only if you have comprehensive coverage in your policy. Otherwise, it's not worth the additional effort and the risk of your premiums increasing. If you don't have comprehensive insurance, contact an independent insurance agent to discuss adding it to your car insurance.
Contact the police
In the past, losing your car keys wasn't such a big deal. You could contact an locksmith and have a replacement key made right on the on the spot. It can be costly to replace keys stolen or lost in certain automobiles due to more advanced ignitions. There are two kinds of auto ignitions and keys on the market today Electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and traditional turn-key ignitions.
The good news is that most insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing a stolen or lost set of car keys no matter if it's a fob or a standard key. It is important to inform your insurance company immediately so they can begin looking for your keys. You can also obtain a replacement set without here paying out of pocket.
It is important to inform the police immediately if you're driving is stationed in a public space when you lose your keys. This will deter other motorists from using your vehicle and possibly catch them in action. In addition, if anyone is trying to use your car and gets caught by the police, they could be fined or even detained.
Tell your car dealer that you've lost keys. Many dealers have access keys that can be used to replace the locks on a variety of automobile models and can usually assist you quickly. They can also reset your lock and provide you the new key that disables the old one, so that it will not work in the future.
Another aspect to be aware of is that the car keys you have stolen, it's possible that the thieves might have also stolen other valuables, such as your purse or wallet. If this is the situation, it's a good idea to call your credit card and bank to determine if they have any suspicious activity on their records.
There are a number of smartphone apps available that allow you to track your keys that are lost or stolen. For instance, Tile and AirTag are popular options that attach to your keys and employ GPS technology to locate them. You can also call them to hear your car key nearby or view their current location on a map.
Call for a locksmith
The loss of your keys to your car could be a nightmare. It's hard enough to go to school or work without a vehicle and when you lose your keys, it can make things incredibly difficult. Fortunately, if your vehicle keys get lost, there are things you can do to avoid the worst from occurring.
The first thing you need to do is call the police. This will help prevent thieves from stealing your vehicle or trying to break into your home. This will allow you to locate the person who took your keys to your car.
The next step is calling the locksmith. A locksmith can replace your lost vehicle key. They will need to confirm that you are the owner of the vehicle prior to being able to make a new key, so it is important to have your ID and registration with you. The locksmith will need to know the VIN as well as the name of the vehicle.
It is also advisable to contact your insurance provider. A lot of auto insurance policies cover the cost of replacing a stolen car key It's worth checking out your policy prior to making this call.
If you adhere to these tips, you can limit the damage to your vehicle and avoid headaches. Remember to be patient and do your research before you give up! If your car keys get locked inside the ignition, don't try to take them off yourself. That could cause more harm than good!
Most locksmiths can provide you with a new key even if you have an old-fashioned key. If you have a new key fob, for instance an electronic one it could take a little longer. You will need to visit the dealership. Bring evidence of ownership, such as your title or registration, in the event that it is. This will speed up the process considerably. Locksmiths will probably cost less than a dealership. It's always better to be secure than to be sorry!
Contact Your Car Dealer
Your car keys are an essential piece of equipment. Without them, your car won't start. It's not uncommon to have thieves to steal your keys in order to get into your vehicle. Fortunately, there are steps you can do to prevent this from occurring.
The first step is to notify the police right away. This will help police find the perpetrator and you will get a crime reference code which you can use in the future. You should also contact your dealership, a locksmith or a different mechanic to have your keys replaced.
You may have to take your key fob to the dealership to be deactivated when it is connected to your car's computer. If you have lost your keys in public, such as a parking lot or in a store, this will prevent your car from being stolen since the thief won't have a functioning key to gain access to your car.
Depending on the model and manufacturer of your vehicle, certain dealerships will replace lost keys. Dealers are able to delete your existing keys and then connect the new one to the vehicle. It's more difficult for a locksmith to create the replacement key rather than go to the dealer.
If you notify the loss as quickly as possible your insurance company might be able to assist. Certain property insurance policies that cover personal possessions insurance, may also cover the cost of keys that are new.