A Look At The Good And Bad About Car Keys Got Stolen What To Do
If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to DoWhen you lose your keys, it's a stressful experience. Before you panic, take a deep breath, and take a walk around your day to determine whether they're in a safe place such as in your pocket or a bag you took out of the car.
Contact your insurance company. If you notify your insurance company of the loss of your car keys quickly they could pay for the loss.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most common reasons for car theft is putting keys in the car. Statistics show that a car is stolen every 32 seconds, costing Americans $8 billion per year. This is the importance of keep your keys in a secure place. It's a good idea also to invest in top quality locks and hide spare keys.
If you're not sure where your keys are, it's a good idea to contact the police department. The officers can check their records and offer further information on protecting your vehicle. Additionally, they will be able to provide you with the crime reference number that is required to file claims with your insurance company.
Next, decide whether it's worth making an insurance claim through your car insurance policy for lost keys. The decision will depend on the type of key you own and the amount it will cost to replace it. Some modern vehicles come with electronic keys, also known as smart keys, which are more expensive to replace compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.
Most auto insurers will pay for an expert locksmith to help access your vehicle when you've been locked out. However, they will not pay for the cost of constructing the new key for you, which means you'll need to pay for it out of pocket. It's important to note that your insurance premiums are likely to go up when you file an insurance claim, therefore it's worth weighing the pros and cons before you do the procedure.
You'll need to go to your local dealer to have your upgraded key re-paired or transferred to the car's computer. This could cost you hundreds of dollars depending on your policy and the car dealer. If you lose a highly-enhanced key, it may be worth the effort to file a claim but only when you have a comprehensive insurance coverage in your policy. It's not worth the risk of your premiums rising and doing the additional work. Contact an independent agent to discuss the possibility of adding the full coverage of your auto insurance.
Contact the police
Not so long ago the loss of your car keys wasn't such a big deal. You could simply call locksmiths and have a new key made on the spot. It can be expensive to replace keys stolen or lost in some cars because they have more sophisticated ignitions. There are two primary kinds of auto keys and ignitions available on the market today electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and standard turn-key ignitions.
The good news is that most insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing a lost or stolen set of car keys no matter if it's a fob or standard key. The most important thing to do is report the incident to your insurance company as quickly as possible so that they can start looking for your keys as well so that you can obtain a new set without having to pay out of pockets.
It's important to notify the police immediately if your vehicle is located in a public area in the event that you lose your keys. This will assist in preventing other people from driving around in the vehicle, and may be able to catch them in the act. If you allow someone else to use your car and is subsequently caught by the police, then they could be fined, or even arrested.
Inform your dealer about you've lost your keys. The majority of dealers have access to replacement keys for most types of vehicles and can usually help you out fast. They can also change the lock's key and give you the new key that will disable the previous one, meaning that it can't be used in the future.
Another aspect to be aware of is that if your car keys were stolen, it's likely that the thieves might have also taken other valuables, such as your wallet or purse. If this is the situation you need to contact your bank and credit card company to check for suspicious transactions in their records.
You can also use an app for your smartphone to track down 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. They can also be rung to sound your car keys being near or to see their last known location on maps.
Contact a Locksmith
Losing your car keys can be a major nightmare. The loss of your car keys could make it difficult to get to work or school. If your car keys get lost, there are steps you can take to avoid the worst from occurring.
The first thing you must do is call the police. This will stop thieves from taking your car keys or using your car to break into your home. It will also help track down the person who 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 create a key, they'll need to verify your ownership of the vehicle. It is therefore essential to bring your ID and registration. The locksmith will also need to be aware of the car's name and VIN.
Finally, you should call your insurance company. Review your policy to see if it covers the cost of replacing keys that have been lost.
The theft of your car keys is never fun, but if you follow these steps to minimize the damage and avoid many 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. 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 modern key fob, such as an electronic one it could take a bit longer. You will need to visit the dealer. If that's the case, ensure you provide proof that you are the owner of your vehicle or a copy of your registration or title. This will speed up the process. A locksmith is likely to cost less than a dealership. It's better to be safe rather than sorry.
Call Your Car Dealer
Car keys are a vital piece of equipment for your car. Your car won't start without them. However, it's not unusual for thieves to steal your keys as a means of getting into your car. There are ways to prevent this.
The first step is to inform the police immediately. This will help police find the perpetrator and you will be issued the crime reference number which you can use in the future. You should also call your locksmith, your dealer or another mechanic to have your keys replaced.
It is possible to bring a key fob to the dealership to be deactivated if it is connected to your car's computer. If you've lost your keys in a public place such website as a parking lot or in a shop, this will help ensure that your car won't be stolen because the thief won't have a functioning key to access it.
Some car dealerships offer services to replace lost keys, depending on the model and manufacturer of your vehicle. Dealers are in a position to remove your existing keys and then attach the new one to the vehicle. This is more complex than just hiring a professional locksmith to make you a new key, so it's best to go to the dealer for this service.
The cost of replacing your car keys will vary however you are likely to receive some assistance from your insurance company when the loss is reported as soon as possible. Certain property insurance policies that cover personal possessions coverage, may also cover the cost of keys that are new.