4 Dirty Little Secrets About The Car Key Stolen But Not Car Industry
Car Key Stolen But Not CarWe all know that you should never put your keys in your car, but there are times when you forget. If you do, and your keys are stolen, but the car is still there, here's what to do.
It is best to first call the police. This will ensure that anyone who comes across keys doesn't use them to commit crime.
Find a new set keys
It's a moment of forgetfulness, or someone else takes your keys, losing your car keys can be a stressful and potentially dangerous scenario. You'll not only be unable get to where you want go and you'll have to spend money and time to replace your keys. The good news is it's no longer as difficult or costly to replace the key.
Before you contact your local locksmith, check to see if your lost car key is covered by your insurance or warranty. If it is, bring evidence of ownership with you to the locksmith. They can then use the vehicle identification number, also known as the VIN, to create an entirely new car key, without the original.
The simplest type of keys for cars to replace is the conventional or mechanical key. These keys can be made locally by your local locksmith and are typically cheaper than other kinds. However, if your vehicle has a transponder or chip you'll have to visit a dealer instead.
A transponder is a small chip in the car key that transmits a unique code when it comes into contact with the vehicle. This is a safer way to start your car and lowers the risk of theft. However it's more complex than cutting a regular car key.
Only the dealer can make you a replacement transponder keys should you lose it. They can do this because they have documents of the security systems installed in each car and can easily locate the information.
Unless you have an extra key, it's best to contact your dealership as soon as you can. They might be able make you a new key right away or they may need to wait for a replacement key to come in. It could take a few weeks, but it's still less expensive than hiring a locksmith. It's much more convenient than looking for your keys in other places.
Report the theft to police
It's not difficult to become distracted and forget your wallet, phone or car keys in the trunk of your vehicle. If you think this has happened, the first step is to report the theft to the police. This might seem like a waste of time, but it can help police locate the item that was stolen. The police will request details about the incident, including a description of the perpetrator and any other items they might have discovered in the vehicle.
You might want to add any items you had on you at the time of the theft, such as your credit cards or license. If the items are discovered by a thief and are used to commit crimes.
Once you've informed the police of the theft, you should contact your insurance company and make an insurance claim. Based on the type of coverage you have, your insurance may cover the cost of replacing your keys. They will likely also advise that you install a car anti-theft device, like an immobilizer or lock on the wheel to stop thieves from targeting your vehicle in the future.
In addition to reporting the theft to the police and your insurance company, you should also contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). This will change the car's registration and title information to indicate that it's been stolen. This will stop people from driving your vehicle illegally, running red lights, getting parking tickets, or committing other crimes.
In some cases you may be able to secure additional coverage for stolen items in your vehicle by adding a property protection plan to your insurance policy for cars. This will protect you from the financial costs of items such as laptops, phones, or other valuables you might have in your vehicle. Find out whether your insurance provider provides this service by talking to an agent or going to the website of your company. Additionally, you can consult your insurance agent regarding other options to increase the security of your vehicle. For example, you can install an alarm system, and also hide a spare set of keys away from your vehicle or at home.
Keep track of your keys with a smartphone application
It wasn't that long ago that losing your car keys weren't a big deal. You could make a duplicate key and you were in good shape. But now, modern cars require a more sophisticated set of technology to function. In the process, the cost to replace keys to cars that have been stolen or lost has risen dramatically.
There are two kinds of keys for cars. The first is the electronic key fob. The other is the standard key ignition that is turned on by a turn. The majority of cars today use electronic key fobs. However, a few remain with traditional ignitions that require turning keys to start the car.
One way to keep from worrying about your car keys while you're traveling is to purchase an electronic key tracker and connect it to your vehicle. There are a variety of key trackers that are available. Some of the best include:
To use the device, simply connect it to your smartphone. If you're on the move the app will assist you locate your car keys either by emitting a sound or showing their location in the form of a map. It is possible to share the device with family members and friends to help them locate your keys.
You might be able make an insurance claim on your lost or stolen car keys according to the kind of policy you've purchased and the specifics of your situation. If you have comprehensive or property coverage, your policy may get more info pay for the replacement of keys that were lost.
It is also worth checking with your home insurance to see whether it provides similar services. If you declare your car keys stolen or lost promptly, they may be able refund the cost of replacing the keys.
If your car keys have gone missing, you must stay calm and work on the best plan of action. Contact the police as soon as you can to avoid further problems. They can provide you with tips on how to protect your vehicle and give you a reference number for crimes. They may also be able provide you with new keys immediately.
Call for a locksmith
In the past, losing your keys to your car was an unimportant inconvenience. The only concern you had was that should you lose your car keys, it would be impossible to gain entry. But as cars have advanced in technology as have their keys, and are now more expensive to replace if stolen. This means that it's important to always have a backup key, as well as to keep your car and keys secured.
It is also worth checking whether the personal property coverage on your home insurance policy covers the cost of replacing a stolen or lost car key. You may be able save money by not having to pay for an auto locksmith.
Reporting your lost keys to the police is another thing you must do. The police will give you more advice on how you can protect your vehicle from theft, for example, using a wheel lock, and will also give you a crime number that they can use to track down the culprit.
If you haven't already done so, it is recommended to find an experienced locksmith who is able to work on your type of car and its key. Some can make new keys for different automobiles, while some will only be able to repair or replace older vehicles that have traditional turn-key ignitions.
It is not unusual to receive an additional key for your vehicle within a couple of minutes after providing your registration details. The dealership will make use of computers to verify the details of your vehicle and then create a key for you.
You should also consider having the keys reprogrammed so that previous owners can't use them. This is a simple procedure which can be carried out by a locksmith or even the dealership. This is a great method to protect your vehicle from being taken away after you've purchased it secondhand.