If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It can be stressful when you lose your car keys. Take your time before you panic and take a walk to look for them. They may be in your pocket or inside a bag you removed from your car.
First and foremost, you should contact your insurance company. If you report the loss of your car keys immediately, they may pay for the loss.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most common causes of car theft is leaving keys inside. Statistics show that a car is stolen every 32 seconds and costs Americans $8 billion each year. This is why it's crucial to make sure your key is kept in a secure location. It's also recommended to purchase high-quality locks and keep spare keys hidden in a safe place.
If you're unsure where your keys are it's a good idea to contact the police department. The officers are able to look over their records and give you advice about protecting your vehicle. They can also to provide you with a crime code which is required to submit a claim to an insurance company.
The next step is to decide whether it's worth submitting a car insurance claim for lost keys. The decision will mostly depend on the type of key you have and how much it will cost to replace it. Some modern vehicles come with electronic keys, also known as smart keys that are more expensive to replace compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.
The majority of auto insurance companies will cover locksmiths to visit your vehicle in the event that you've been locked out. However, they won't pay for the cost of constructing the new key for you, meaning you will have to pay for it out of pocket. It's important to remember that your premiums will probably go up if you file an insurance claim, therefore it's worth considering the advantages and disadvantages before doing the procedure.
If your car is equipped with an upgraded key that needs to be re-sequenced with the computer in your car or re-paired with the barrels, you'll have go to your local auto dealer to do this. This could cost hundreds of dollars based on your policy and car dealer. If you lose an enhanced key, you may need to make a claim if your policy provides comprehensive coverage. It's not worth the risk of your premiums increasing and do the extra work. If you don't have comprehensive insurance, contact an independent insurance agent to discuss the possibility of adding it to your car insurance.
Call the Police
Not so long ago when you lost your car keys was not an issue. A locksmith could make an replacement key right on the spot. It is expensive to replace keys that are stolen or lost in certain vehicles due to their more advanced ignitions. There are two types of keys and ignitions available today: standard turn-key ignitions and electronic key fobs, also called smart keys.
The good news is that a majority of insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing a lost or stolen set of car keys regardless of whether it's a fob or a standard key. It is important to report the incident to your insurance company as quickly as possible so that they can begin looking for your keys, and to ensure that you receive a replacement set without having to pay out from your pocket.
If your vehicle is parked on a public road and you lose your keys, it is crucial to inform the police immediately. They could then stop people from driving around in your car and possibly be able to catch them in the act. Additionally, if someone is trying to use your car but is spotted by the police, they could be fined or even detained.
You should also call your car dealer and inform them that you have lost keys. The majority of dealers have access to keys that can be used to replace the locks on a variety of types of vehicles, and they can often help you out quickly. They can also reset your lock and provide you a new key that will disable the old one, so that it can't be used 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 wallet or purse. If this is the situation, you should contact your bank and credit card company to see if there are any suspicious transactions in their records.
You can also use a smartphone application to locate your keys in the event that they get stolen or lost. For example, Tile and AirTag are popular options that attach to your keys and use GPS technology to find them. They can also be rung to hear your car keys nearby or to view their last known location on a map.
Contact a locksmith
Losing your car keys can be a real nightmare. Losing your car keys can make it difficult to get to work or school. Fortunately, if your vehicle keys are stolen, there are a few things you can do to stop the worst from happening.
The first thing you must do is contact the police. This will stop thieves from stealing your car or using your car to break into your home. It will also help you locate the person who took your car keys if they do this.
The next step is to call a locksmith. Locksmiths can replace your lost vehicle key. They will need to confirm that you are the owner of the vehicle before they are able to make a new key therefore it is essential to have your identification and registration in hand. The locksmith must also be aware of the car's name and VIN.
Finally, you should call your insurance company. Check your policy to see if it covers the cost of replacing keys lost.
The theft of your car keys is not a pleasant experience, but if you follow these guidelines you can limit the damage and avoid many headaches. Remember to be patient and look around for the culprit before giving up! If your car keys are stuck in the ignition, don't attempt to remove them. This could cause more harm than good.
Most locksmiths can provide you with new keys even if you have an old-fashioned key. If you have a new key fob, such as an electronic one, it may take a little longer. You'll have to visit the dealer. If that's the case be sure to bring proof that you are the owner of the vehicle and have the original registration or title. This will speed the process up. It's also likely that you'll pay less to locksmiths than at the dealership. It's better to be safe rather than regretting.
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are an essential piece of equipment that you can use for your vehicle. Without keys, your car will not start. It's not uncommon to have thieves to steal your keys in order to gain entry into your vehicle. There are ways to stop this.
First, make sure you notify the police right away. This will enable police to find the perpetrator and you will get an identification code for crime which you can use in the future. You can also call a locksmith or another mechanic to get a new key.
If you have a key fob that connects to your car's computer and you want to bring it into the dealership in order to have it deactivated. If you've lost your keys deactivate stolen car key fob in a public like a parking garage, or a store this will protect your vehicle from being stolen, because the thief will not have a working 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 can take away your old keys and pair the new key to the vehicle. This is more complex than having a professional locksmith create you a replacement key, which is why it's recommended to visit the dealer to get this service.
The cost of replacing the keys to your car will differ, but you are likely to receive some assistance from your insurance company in the event that the loss is reported to them promptly. Certain property insurance policies that include personal possessions coverage, could also provide a set of new keys.