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 walk through your day to check if they're somewhere obvious like in your pocket or inside bags you've taken out of the car.
Most importantly, contact your insurance company. They will usually provide the cost of replacing your car keys if you immediately report the incident.
Call Your Insurance Company
One of the most common reasons for car theft is leaving keys inside. Statistics indicate that a car is stolen every 32 seconds, costing Americans $8 billion each year. This figure shows why it's important to keep your key in a secure location. It's also a good idea to purchase high-quality locks and store spare keys from view.
If you're not sure where your keys are, it's best to contact the police department. The officers can check their records and offer further information on protecting your vehicle. They can also give you a crime number which is required to make a claim with an insurance company.
The next step is to determine whether it's worth making an insurance claim for keys that have been lost. The decision will depend on the type of key you have and the amount it will cost to replace it. For example, some 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 cover locksmiths to visit your vehicle if you've been locked out. However, they don't cover the cost of making a new key for you, so you will have to pay out-of-pocket for that. Be aware that your insurance premiums can rise if you file a claim. It is best to consider the advantages and disadvantages of filing a claim prior to making a decision.
You'll need to go to your local auto dealer to have your enhanced key repaired or re-sequenced with the car's computer. This could cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on your policy and car dealer. If you lose your enhanced key, you might want to file a claim if your policy includes comprehensive coverage. Otherwise it's not worth the extra work and risk of your premiums going up. If you don't have coverage that is comprehensive, contact an independent insurance agent to discuss adding it to your car insurance.
Contact the police
In the past the loss of your car key was not a huge issue. You could call a locksmith and have a new key made on the spot. Some automobiles today come with more sophisticated ignition systems, and it could be expensive to replace your keys that have been stolen or lost. There are two main types of auto keys and ignitions available on the market today Electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and traditional turn-key ignitions.
It's important to know that a majority of insurance companies cover the cost of replacing lost or stolen keys to cars. This is true whether they're fob keys or a standard one. It is important to report the incident to your insurance company as quickly as you can so that they can begin looking for your keys and also to get a new set without having to pay out of pocket.
If your car is on public property when you lose the keys, it is crucial to let the police know right away. That way, they can assist in stopping other people from driving the vehicle and could be able to catch them in the act. In addition, if someone attempts to use your car and is caught by the police, they could be fined or even arrested.
Tell your car dealer that you've lost keys. The majority of dealers have access to keys that can be used to replace the locks on a variety of automobile models, and they can often help you out quickly. They can also rekey your lock and provide you with a key that disables the lock that was previously used, so it won't work anymore.
Another thing to keep in mind is that when your car keys are stolen, it's possible that the thieves could have also taken other valuables, such as your purse or wallet. If this is the scenario, it's a great idea to call your credit card and bank to find out if they've had any suspicious activities on their records.
You can also use an app for your smartphone to locate your keys if they are lost or stolen. Tile and AirTag are two examples. are popular options that can be attached to your keys using GPS technology. You can also ring them to hear your car keys nearby or view their last known position on a map.
Call for a locksmith
Losing your keys to your car could be an absolute nightmare. It's difficult enough to get to school or work without a vehicle and when you lose your keys, it can make life extremely difficult. If your car keys are stolen there are a few steps to prevent the worst.
The first thing you should do is call the police. This will prevent thieves from stealing your vehicle or trying to break into your home. It will also help locate the person who took your car keys should they steal your keys.
Next, you should call the locksmith. Locksmiths can replace your lost vehicle key. Before they can make keys, they'll be required to verify the ownership of the vehicle. It is therefore essential to bring along your ID and registration. The locksmith must also know the vehicle's name 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 out your own policy before taking this step.
If you follow these guidelines, you can minimize the damage to your vehicle and avoid headaches. Remember to be patient and do your research 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 make you new keys if you have an old-fashioned key. If, however, you have an electric fob or other modern technology, the website process might take longer and may require a visit to the dealership. If that's the case ensure that you provide proof that you are the owner of the vehicle or a copy of your registration or title. This will accelerate the process significantly. It's also likely that you'll pay less to a locksmith than you would at the dealership. It's always better to be secure rather than regretting!
Contact Your Car Dealer
Car keys are a vital piece of equipment for your vehicle. Without them, your car won't start. It's not uncommon for thieves to steal your keys in order to gain entry into your vehicle. There are ways to prevent this.
Report the theft immediately to police. This will assist police in tracking the perpetrator and provide you an identification number for use in the future. You should also contact your dealership, a locksmith, or a different mechanic to have your keys replaced.
If you have the key fob which connects to the computer in your car and you want to take it to the dealership to have it deactivated. If you have lost your keys in public like a parking lot, or in a store, it will stop your car from being stolen, because the burglar will not have a working key to access your vehicle.
Some car dealerships provide services to replace lost keys, depending on the model and manufacturer of your vehicle. Dealers can remove the keys you have previously used and then connect the new one to the vehicle. It's more difficult to have a locksmith make an replacement key than visit the dealer.
The cost of replacing the keys to your car will differ however you should be able to get some assistance from your insurance company if the loss is reported to them in the earliest time possible. Certain policies for property insurance that include personal possessions coverage, may also provide the replacement of keys.