If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do
It is stressful to lose your car keys. Take your time before you panic and take a walk to check if you can locate them. They might be in your purse, or in a bag you removed from your car.
The most important thing is to contact your insurance company. They may be able to provide the cost of replacing your car keys if you notify them promptly.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most common reasons for car theft is putting keys in the vehicle. Statistics indicate 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 keys in a safe location. It's a good idea to invest in high-quality locks and hide spare keys.
If you're not sure where your keys are it's a good idea contact the police department. The officers will be able to check their records and give you advice on how to protect your vehicle. They will also be able to provide you with a crime code which is required to file a claim with an insurance company.
Then, determine 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. Some modern vehicles come with electronic keys or smart keys, which are more expensive to replace compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.
Most auto insurers will pay to send a locksmith to help you gain entry into your vehicle if it's locked out. However, they don't pay for the cost of constructing a new key for you, meaning you'll need to pay for it out of pocket. Remember that your insurance premiums may increase if you file an application. It is best to consider the benefits and disadvantages of filing a claim prior to making the decision.
You'll need to go to your local dealer to have the upgraded key re-paired or re-sequenced to the computer of the car. This could cost hundreds of dollars based on your policy and car dealer. If you lose a highly-enhanced key it could 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 the cost of your insurance rising and to do the extra work. Contact an independent agent to discuss adding comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance.
Contact the police
In the past the time of losing your car keys wasn't a big problem. A locksmith could make a replacement key right on the spot. Some cars today, however, have much more advanced ignition systems, and it could be quite expensive to replace keys that are stolen or lost. There are two types of auto ignitions and keys on the market today Electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and traditional turn-key ignitions.
It's important to know that the majority of insurance companies will cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen keys to cars. This is true whether they are a fob key or a standard key. It is important to notify your insurance company immediately to allow them to begin searching for your keys. You can also obtain an alternative set of keys without having to pay out of pocket.
It's important to notify the police immediately if your vehicle is located in a public area when you have lost your keys. This way, they will assist in stopping others from driving the vehicle more info and could be likely to catch them in the act. Additionally, if someone is trying to use your car but is caught by the police, they may be fined or even arrested.
You should also call your dealer for car repairs and inform them that you've lost keys. Dealers can usually help you quickly if they've keys that are compatible with your model. They can also rekey your lock and give you keys that disable the lock that was previously used, so it won't work anymore.
Another important thing to remember is that when your car keys are stolen, it's likely that the thieves may have also stolen other valuables like your purse or wallet. If this is the situation, you should contact your bank and credit card company to check for suspicious transactions in their records.
You can also use a smartphone app to locate your keys in case they are lost or stolen. Tile and AirTag are two examples. are popular options which attach to your keys using GPS technology. You can also use them to ring the car key in your vicinity or see their last known position on a map.
Contact a locksmith
Losing your car keys can be a major nightmare. The loss of your car keys can make it difficult to get to work or school. Fortunately, if your vehicle keys are lost, there are ways to stop the worst from occurring.
The police is the first step. This will stop thieves from taking your car, or using it to enter your home. This will help you find the person who took your keys to your car.
The next step is to call a locksmith. A locksmith can replace your lost car keys. They will need to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle prior to being able to create a new key, therefore it is essential to have your identification and registration with you. The locksmith needs to know the VIN as well as the name of the vehicle.
In the end, you should contact your insurance company. A lot of auto insurance policies cover the cost of replacing a stolen car key, so it's worth checking the policy of your insurance company prior to taking this step.
If you follow these guidelines, you can limit the damage to your vehicle and avoid headaches. Remember to be patient and look around for the culprit before giving up! And if your car keys become stuck in the ignition, don't try to remove them yourself. This could do more harm than good.
If you have a traditional key, the majority of locksmiths will be able to replace it immediately. If you have a modern key fob, like an electronic one it could take a little longer. You will need to visit the dealer. Bring evidence of ownership, such as your registration or title, in the event that it is. This will speed the process up. A locksmith is likely to cost less than a dealership. It's always better to be secure than sorry!
Contact Your Car Dealer
Your car keys are an essential piece of equipment. Your car will not start without keys. However, it's not unusual for thieves to steal your keys as a way to gain entry into your car. There are ways to stop this.
Report the theft immediately to the police. This will enable police to locate the culprit and you will get an identification code for crime which you can use in the future. You should also call your dealer, a locksmith, or another mechanic to have your keys replaced.
If you have an electronic 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 space such as a parking lot or a retail store it will help ensure that your car isn't be stolen since the person who stole it has no functioning key to access it.
Depending on the model and manufacturer of your car, some dealerships can replace keys that have been lost. Dealers will be able delete your old keys and pair the new key to the vehicle. It's more complicated to have a locksmith make a replacement key than to visit a dealer.
If you notify the loss as quickly as you can, your insurance company may be able to assist. Certain policies for property insurance that cover personal possessions coverage, could also provide for the cost of keys that are new.