If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It can be stressful when you lose your car keys. Before you panic take a deep breath, and go through your day to check whether they're in a safe place, like in your pocket or bags you've taken out of the car.
The most important thing is to contact your insurance company. If you notify your insurance company of the loss of your car keys promptly they might be able to cover the cost.
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 figure shows why it's important to keep your key in a secure location. It's also an excellent idea to invest in high-quality locks and keep spare keys hidden away.
Contact the police if are unsure where your keys are. The officers can check their records and offer tips on how to safeguard your vehicle. They can also to provide you with a crime code required to submit a claim to an insurance company.
Then, consider whether it's worth filing an insurance claim through your car insurance policy for lost keys. The decision will depend on the type of key you have and the amount it would cost to replace it. Certain modern vehicles have electronic keys or smart keys, which are more expensive to replace when compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.
Most auto insurance companies will pay for a locksmith to come to your vehicle in the event that you've been locked out. However, they will not cover the cost of making a new key for you, meaning you'll have to pay for that out-of-pocket. Be aware that your insurance premiums may rise if you file a claim. It's best to consider the advantages and disadvantages of filing a claim prior to making a decision.
If your car is equipped with an enhanced key that needs to be re-sequenced by the car's computer or re-paired with the barrels, you'll have to visit your auto dealership to do this. Depending on your policy and the dealer of your car, this could cost you hundreds of dollars. If you lose a highly-enhanced car key and you are unable to replace it, it might be worth the effort to file a claim but only in the event that you have full coverage in your policy. Otherwise it's not worth the effort and the risk of your premiums increasing. Contact an independent agent to discuss the possibility of adding complete coverage to your car insurance.
Call the Police
Not too long ago, losing your car keys wasn't such a big deal. A locksmith could create an alternative key on the spot. Some cars today, however, have more sophisticated ignition systems, and it can be expensive to replace your keys that have been stolen or lost. There are two main kinds of auto ignitions and keys on the market today Electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and turn-key standard ignitions.
The good news is that most insurance companies will cover the cost of replacing a stolen or lost set of keys for cars, whether it's a fob, or a standard key. It's important to notify your insurance provider immediately so they can begin looking for your keys. You can also obtain an alternative set of keys without having to pay out of pocket.
If your vehicle is parked on public property and you lose the keys, you must inform the police immediately. That way, they can help to deter other people from driving the vehicle and may be likely to catch them in the act. If someone else uses your vehicle, and is caught by the police, they could be fined or even arrested.
You should also contact your car dealer and inform them that you have lost keys. Most dealers have access to replacement keys for most models of cars, and they can often assist you quickly. They can also change the lock's key and give you an additional key that disables the old one, so that it can't be used anymore.
Another important thing to remember is that the car keys you have stolen, it's possible that the thieves may have also taken other valuables, such as your purse or wallet. If this is the situation you need to contact your bank and credit card to see if there are any suspicious transactions in their records.
You can also use a smartphone app to track down your keys if they are lost or stolen. For instance, Tile and AirTag are well-known options that attach to your keys and use GPS technology to locate them. You can also ring them to hear the car key in your vicinity or view their last known position on the map.
Contact a locksmith
The loss of your keys to your car can be a nightmare. Losing your car keys can make it difficult to get to work or school. If your car keys get stolen, you can take some steps to avoid the most traumatic scenario.
The first thing you should do is contact the police. This will stop thieves from stealing your car or using your vehicle to break into your house. This will help you locate the person who has stolen your keys to your car.
Next, you should call an locksmith. Locksmiths can replace your lost vehicle key. Before they can make a key, they'll be required to verify the ownership of the read more vehicle. It is therefore essential to bring your ID and registration. The locksmith also needs to know the name of the vehicle and VIN.
Finally, you should call your insurance company. Many auto insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a stolen car key It's worth checking the policy of your insurance company prior to taking this step.
Getting your car keys stolen is not a pleasant experience, but if you follow these steps, you can minimize the damage and avoid a lot of headaches. Remember to be patient and search thoroughly before giving up! If your car keys are stuck in the ignition, don't attempt to remove them. That could cause more harm than good!
Most locksmiths can provide you with an entirely new key in the event that you have an old-fashioned key. If you have a modern key fob, for instance an electronic one it could take a bit longer. You'll need to visit the dealer. Bring proof of ownership, like your title or registration, in the event that it is. This will accelerate the process significantly. A locksmith will likely charge you less than a dealership. It's always safer to be safe rather than to be sorry!
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are an essential piece of equipment. Your car won't start without them. However, it isn't unusual for thieves to steal your keys as a way of getting into your car. Luckily, there are things you can do to avoid this from occurring.
Report the theft immediately to police. This will assist police in tracking the culprit and give you an identification number for use in the future. It is also recommended to contact your locksmith, your dealer or a different mechanic to have your keys replaced.
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 in a public area, like a parking lot or a store it will help ensure that your car isn't be stolen because the thief won't have a functioning key to use to get inside.
Depending on the model and manufacturer of your car, some dealerships will replace lost keys. Dealers will be able delete your old keys and pair the new one to the vehicle. It's more difficult to have a locksmith make the replacement key rather than visit a dealer.
If you notify the loss as quickly as possible your insurance company might be able to assist. Certain property insurance policies that include personal possessions coverage, could also provide for the cost of a set of new keys.