If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It is stressful to lose your car keys. Before you panic, take a deep breath and walk through your day to determine whether they're in a safe place, like in your pocket or inside bags you've taken out of the car.
Most importantly, contact your insurance company. If you notify your insurance company of the loss of your car keys quickly they might be able to cover the cost.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most common causes of car theft is putting keys in the vehicle. Statistics show that a car is stolen every 32 seconds and costs Americans $8 billion a year. This statistic is why it's crucial to make sure your key is always kept in a secure location. It's also a good idea to purchase high-quality locks and keep spare keys hidden away.
Contact the police if don't know where your keys are. The officers can check their records and offer further information on protecting your vehicle. They can also provide you with a crime number required to submit a claim to an insurance company.
The next step is to determine whether it's worth making an insurance claim for lost keys. The decision will be based on the kind of key you have and how much it would cost to replace it. Some modern vehicles come with electronic keys, also known as smart keys which are more expensive to replace when compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.
Most auto insurance companies will pay for locksmiths to visit your vehicle if you've been locked out. They will not cover the cost of creating a new car key and you'll have to pay for that yourself. Be aware that your insurance premiums could rise if you file claims. It is best to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of filing a claim prior to making the decision.
If your car has an enhanced key that needs to be re-sequenced using the computer in your car or re-paired with the barrels, you'll need to visit your auto dealership to get this done. Based on your policy and the dealer for your car the process could cost hundreds of dollars. If you lose a highly-enhanced key and you are unable to replace it, it might be worth the effort to file a claim, but only when you have a comprehensive insurance coverage on your policy. Otherwise it's not worth the additional work and risk of your insurance premiums rising. Contact an independent agent to discuss the possibility of adding the full coverage of your auto insurance.
Contact the police
In the past, losing your car key was not a major issue. You could simply call a locksmith and have a new key made on the spot. Some automobiles today have much more advanced ignition systems, and it could be costly to replace keys that are stolen or lost. There are two types of keys and ignitions available in the present: traditional turn-key ignitions as well as electronic key fobs, also called smart keys.
It's a good idea to know that the majority of insurance companies cover the cost of replacing stolen or lost keys to cars. This is true whether they are a fob key or a standard key. It's crucial to inform your insurance company immediately to allow them to begin searching for your keys. You can also obtain a new set without having to pay out of pocket.
If your vehicle is parked on public property when you lose your keys, it is crucial to notify the police immediately. They can then deter others from driving your car and possibly capture them in the course of. If someone else uses your vehicle and is subsequently caught by the police, they could be fined or even detained.
Inform your dealer of you've lost keys. The majority of dealers have access to keys that can be used to replace the locks on a variety of models of cars and are able to help you out fast. They can also rekey your lock and give you a key that disables the old one so that it will no longer work.
Another important thing to remember is that if your car keys were stolen, it's possible that the thieves may have also stolen other valuables such as your purse or wallet. If this is the case, it's a good idea to call your bank and credit card to determine if they have any suspicious transactions on their records.
You can also use an app for your smartphone to locate your keys if they are stolen or lost. Tile and get more info AirTag, for example, are popular choices that attach to your keys using GPS technology. You can also call them to hear your car keys nearby or see their last known location on the map.
Call for a locksmith
Losing your keys to your car could be an absolute nightmare. The loss of your car keys could make it difficult to get to work or school. Fortunately, if your car keys get lost, there are ways to avoid the worst from happening.
Contacting the police is the first step. This will stop thieves from taking your vehicle or using it to enter your home. It can also help you track down the person who stole your car keys if they do so.
The next step is to contact the locksmith. A locksmith can replace the key to your vehicle that was lost. Before they can make a key, they will have to confirm your ownership of the vehicle. Therefore, it is essential to bring your ID and registration. The locksmith must also know the name of the vehicle and VIN.
Then, you must contact your insurance company. Examine your policy to determine whether it covers the cost of replacing keys lost.
If you adhere to these tips, you can limit the damage to your vehicle and avoid headaches. Remember to be patient and search thoroughly before giving up! And if your car keys become locked inside the ignition, don't attempt to remove them yourself. This could cause more harm than good.
The majority of locksmiths can create new keys in the event that you have an old-fashioned key. If you own a contemporary key fob, such as an electric one it might take a little longer. You'll have to visit the dealership. Bring evidence of ownership, like your registration or title, in the event that this is the case. This will speed up the process. It's also likely that you'll pay less to locksmiths than you would at the dealership. It's better to be safe instead of regretting.
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are a vital piece of equipment. Your car won't start without them. It's not uncommon to have thieves steal your keys to get into your vehicle. Luckily, there are things you can do to avoid this from occurring.
The first step is to report the theft to the police right away. This will assist police in tracking the perpetrator and provide you an identification number for use in the future. You can also call an locksmith or a mechanic to request a replacement key.
If you have a key fob that connects to the computer in your car it is possible to bring it into the dealership to be removed. If you've lost your keys in public like a parking garage, or a store this will protect your vehicle from being stolen, because the thief won't have a functioning key to enter your vehicle.
Some car dealerships provide services to replace keys that have been lost, based on the model and manufacturer of your vehicle. Dealers will be able delete the keys you have previously used and then connect the new key to the vehicle. It's more complicated to have a locksmith make the replacement key rather than go to a dealer.
If you notify the loss as quickly as you can the insurance company might be able to help. Additionally, some property insurance policies that include personal possessions coverage might be able to cover the cost of a new set of keys, too.