If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It can be stressful to lose your car keys. Before you panic, take a deep breath, and take a walk around your day to determine if they're somewhere obvious like in your pocket or inside the bag you pulled out of the car.
Contact your insurance company. They can often provide the cost of replacing your car keys if immediately report the incident.
Call Your Insurance Company
The most common cause of car thefts is leaving keys inside the vehicle. Statistics show that a car is stolen every 32 seconds and costs Americans $8 billion a year. This is the reason it's so important to make sure your key is always in a safe place. It's also an excellent idea to invest in 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 provide further information on protecting your vehicle. They can also provide you with a crime number that is needed to submit a claim to an insurance company.
The next step is to decide whether it's worth making a car insurance claim for lost keys. The decision will depend on what kind of key you have and the amount it will cost to replace it. For instance, a few modern cars have electronic key fobs or smart keys which are more expensive to replace than traditional turn-key ignitions.
Most auto insurance companies will pay for a locksmith to come to your vehicle if you've been locked out. They will not cover the cost of creating an entirely new car key, so you will need to pay for it yourself. It's important to remember that your premiums will probably increase in the event of an insurance claim, so it's important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages before doing so.
You'll need to go to your local auto dealer to have your enhanced key re-paired or transferred to the car's computer. This could cost hundreds of dollars based on your policy and the car dealer. If you lose an enhanced key, you may want to make a claim if your policy provides comprehensive coverage. Otherwise it's not worth the work and risk of your premiums increasing. Contact an independent agent to discuss adding comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance.
Call the Police
In the past the loss of your car key was not a major issue. Locksmiths could create an replacement key right there. Certain cars today, however, have much more advanced ignition systems, and it could be costly to replace lost or stolen keys. There are two types of keys and ignitions available today: standard turn-key ignitions and electronic keys fobs, also known as smart keys.
The good news is that a majority of insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing a stolen or lost set of keys for cars, whether it's a fob or standard key. The important thing is to inform your insurance company as soon as possible so that they can begin searching for your keys as well to obtain a new set without having to pay out from your pockets.
If your car is parked on a public road and you lose your keys, you must inform the police immediately. They could then stop people from driving around in your car and even catch them in action. If someone else uses your vehicle, and is caught by the police, then they could be fined, or even detained.
Inform your dealer of you've lost keys. Dealers are usually able to assist you quickly if they've replacement keys for your car model. They can also rekey the lock and provide you with a key that disables the old one so that it won't work anymore.
If your car keys are stolen, it is possible that the thieves have also stolen your wallet or purse. If this is the case you need to contact your bank and credit card company to see if there are any suspicious transactions in their records.
You can also use an app for your smartphone to locate your keys in case they are stolen or lost. For instance, Tile and AirTag are popular options that attach to your keys and use GPS technology to find them. You can also ring them to hear your car keys nearby or view their current position on the map.
Call an expert locksmith
Losing your keys to your car can be a nightmare. The loss of your car keys can make it difficult to get to work or to school. If your car keys are lost, there are things you can do to avoid the worst from happening.
The police should be your first step. This will prevent thieves from stealing or using your vehicle to break into your home. It will also help you find the person who website took your car keys if they do this.
The next step is to call the locksmith. A locksmith will be able to replace your lost car keys. Before they can make keys, they'll be required to verify the ownership of the vehicle. It is therefore essential to bring your ID and registration. The locksmith must be aware of the VIN and name of the vehicle.
You should also call your insurance company. Review your policy to see 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. Be patient and do your research thoroughly before giving up! And if your car keys are stuck in the ignition, don't attempt to take them off yourself. This could cause more harm than good.
Most locksmiths can make you new keys even if you have an old-fashioned key. If, however, you have an electronic fob or any other advanced technology, the process could take longer and require an appointment with the dealership. Bring evidence of ownership, such as your title or registration, in the event that it is. This will accelerate the process significantly. A locksmith is likely to charge you less than a dealership. It's always better to be secure than to be sorry!
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are a vital piece of equipment for your car. Your car will not start without them. However, it isn't common for thieves to take your keys as a way to gain entry into your vehicle. There are ways to avoid this.
The first step is to report the theft to the police right away. This will assist police in tracking the culprit and give you an identification number for use in the future. You should also contact your dealership, a locksmith or another mechanic to have your keys replaced.
If you have a key fob that connects to your car's computer it is possible to bring it into the dealership to be removed. If you have lost your keys in public like a parking garage, or a store it will stop your car from being stolen since the criminal will not have a working key to gain access to your car.
Some car dealerships offer services to replace your keys that have been lost, based on the model and manufacturer of your vehicle. The dealers will be in a position to remove your existing keys and then attach the new one to the vehicle. It's more difficult to get a locksmith to make the replacement key rather than go to the dealer.
If you report the loss as soon as possible, your insurance company may be able to help. Certain property insurance policies, which include personal possessions coverage, could also provide for the cost of a set of new keys.