Car Stolen Without Key - What to Do
After his Toyota RAV4 was stolen and vandalized twice over the last year, a resident of the area began looking up online. He found a method for thieves to replicate the signal from key fobs to steal cars without even touching them.
Crooks use relay amplifiers to capture the signal. They work in pairs and can steal a car in as little as 60 minutes.
What happens if your keys?
The loss of keys is one of the most annoying things you can do. It can be difficult to find them and can put your home or office in danger. It doesn't matter if accidentally drop your belongings into the sink, or if you lose them in a subway vehicle. You need to know how to take care of them to ensure they don't fall into the wrong hands.
If you lose your keys first thing to do is contact your insurance company as well as the police. Many people are surprised that their insurance company will cover the cost of a lockout should keys are stolen or lost. This should be done as soon as you can since someone else could be able to use your keys to gain entry to your car or home if it's not done.
After calling the police and your insurance agent The next step is to call locksmith. A professional locksmith can open your lock quickly, easily and without causing damage to your property. This could save you lots of time and money, particularly when you're in a hurry. The locksmith will have to utilize their tools to unlock the locks and leave an impression on the internal components. The lock will then be taken to a second shop, where a duplicate will be made. This is a quick procedure that will cost less than $30 for several locks.
You may need to contact your dealer or an auto locksmith to reprogram a smart key. You will require proof of ownership to replace the car keys. In this case, you may require your license and vehicle identification number with you.
If you have a spare key, offer it to a family or friend member so that they will allow you to enter if you lose yours. You can also have your locksmith cut new keys which you can keep in a secure location such as the garage or office. This will prevent you from losing your keys in the future and protect them from thieves who tend to search for keys in obvious places such as under a planter or in the mailbox.
What can you do to help?
If your vehicle is stolen without a key, it's important to act swiftly. Notify the police as soon as you can, and request a copy of the police report for your records. Notify your department of motor vehicles in the event that you haven't yet. Your vehicle will be added to the database of stolen vehicles in the state, making it difficult for anyone to claim your vehicle as theirs.
Install a tracking device inside your vehicle if you can. These devices, like AirTags created by Apple transmit signals to your iPhone when they're close to an Apple product (like your car). This lets you view the location of your vehicle in real-time via the app on your phone. You may also want to look into tracking systems that are less expensive from companies like Ring, Blink, or Nest.
A new set of keys is a different thing to consider. Depending on the brand of your vehicle you might need to have the chips or barrels changed. This will stop previous owners accessing the vehicle. This can be costly and may require you to get a second set of keys for backup purposes. Review your auto insurance policy to determine whether you have comprehensive insurance. Comprehensive coverage typically covers more than collision and liability.
The best way to avoid a situation such as this is to ensure that you do not leave valuables in your car and to keep your spare key away from your house. Also, etching the last seven digits of your VIN on your headlights, windows and mirrors can stop thieves from attempting to change the identity of your vehicle. In addition, if you live in an area that has a high rate of crime It is worth asking businesses in the area where your vehicle was stolen to find out if they have security cameras that could have captured the theft on camera. If you're able to locate your vehicle that was stolen, you should contact your local locksmith for guidance on the best method to store your spare keys and lock up your vehicle.
How do you report a car that has been stolen?
The first thing you need to do when you realize that your vehicle has been taken is to contact the local police station and report it. They'll inform you which forms you'll have to fill out and processes you'll need to follow, based on the laws in your area. They'll also provide an incident number you can pass on to your insurance company in order to make a claim.
If you contact the police, make sure you have all the information about your vehicle on hand including the VIN, license plate, description of the car, and any receipts for upgrades or service. You may also have to prove that you are the registered owner of the vehicle by providing your copyright or auto insurance card. Many insurance companies will let you access the policy's details online if you don't have them in your possession.
You'll want to make sure that the police have reported that your car has been stolen, since it increases the likelihood of it being reclaimed. Also, reporting it right away permits the police to gather any evidence they can (such as security footage or witness statements) sooner rather than later.
The act of reporting the theft right away will also stop the thief fraudulently transfer ownership of your vehicle to another person or making it registered under their own name. Contact the department of motor vehicles in your state and provide proof of your identity and residence.
If your car is found and it's damaged during the process of recovery, the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance should be able read more to cover the damage - minus the deductible. It is essential to inform your insurance company of the theft as quickly as you can.
It is also important to notify the lender if you have financed or leased your vehicle. They are considered lienholders and hold an interest in the financial condition of the vehicle, which is the reason they should be informed of any losses. Financial penalties or legal action can be imposed if you fail to notify them.
How do I return my car?
The police should be notified as soon as possible in the event that a vehicle has been taken without a functioning key. This will assist them in tracking down the vehicle and identify the perpetrators. The information about your vehicle in state and national databases makes it more difficult for thieves to make a deal on the vehicle.
Once you've filed a police report, it's also an excellent idea to notify your insurance company know as well. If you have insurance that is comprehensive, they can open claims on your behalf to pay for any damages or compensation for the loss that occurred when the vehicle was in the thief's possession.
Additionally, you should inform your leasing company or lender be aware that the vehicle was stolen. This will allow them to contact your insurance company and work out the necessary details, including whether or not they'll be able to revoke any car payments or take steps to repossess it if it isn't returned.
If you have an electronic key fob or a smart key that is a more recent model, you'll need to take your car to the dealership of the brand you're using and have your key replaced electronically. This will cost you a couple hundred dollars however it is cheaper than replacing the locks and ignition for the standard turn-key.
You'll need to take the older models with regular keys to an automotive locksmith, and get both the keys and the barrels (the part that goes into the lock) replaced. It's expensive, but you'll be sure that anyone who comes across your old keys will not be able to steal the vehicle.
It's important to keep the interior of your car free of valuable items that could be a target for thieves. You might want to store your sat-nav or mobile in the trunk of your vehicle or in a hidden compartment beneath the floor mats. Also, not put any valuables into your glove box as this will be more attractive for thieves to take it out.