A Guide To Keys Stolen From Start To Finish
A Guide To Keys Stolen From Start To Finish
Blog Article
What to Do If Your Car Keys Are Stolen
If you lose your car keys, it can be a very stressful experience. However, it's important to be calm and not be overwhelmed.
Then, try retracing your steps. This will allow you to determine if your car keys have been stolen or simply misplaced. Contact your insurance company. You may be eligible to file a claim based on the circumstances.
Report the theft to the police
Reporting the theft of your car keys to police is the first step. This will give you an identity number which you can use to trace the keys and your vehicle. The police may also be able to provide advice about protecting your vehicle, for instance the use of the wheel lock.
Next, you need to locate the keys. Make sure to check every bag, pocket and other possible locations where you may have them. Be sure to look in places you wouldn't usually look like under the seat or inside your shoes. You could also use an application to locate your keys. Examples include Tile or AirTag. These apps can ring your key or show you its last known location on a map, however, they can only be used only if the keys are within range of your phone.
If you have an older key without any fancy chips, you can replace it at the local locksmith. However, if you have an electronic key or remote start, you will need to go to the dealership to purchase. It is worth checking to determine if your insurance will cover the cost of replacing a lock and key.
The number of car thefts that happen because people leave their keys in the vehicle is on the rise. It is essential to keep your keys safe at all time. Thieves can use the relay attack to copy the signal from the car's key fob and then wait for a accomplice to appear with a device that can unlock the vehicle. This is a common method of car theft in cities, where thieves have access to sophisticated equipment. It is recommended to always keep an extra set of keys somewhere other than in your vehicle. Also, you should never leave your insurance documents or license in your vehicle, as these are essential tools for identity thieves. If you lose your keys, make sure to call your insurer and the police as soon as possible.
Contact your insurance company
If you have comprehensive car insurance, it is important to inform your company immediately about the lost keys. This will help keep you secure and stop other people from using your vehicle. Most insurance policies will cover the cost of a car locksmith or dealer to make new keys.
While it is very stressful to lose your car keys but the worst thing you'd want to do is for someone else to have the keys! It is a good idea to contact your local locksmith as soon as you can and ask them to make an identical key for you. They can also program the keys to ensure that the key you stole will no longer work.
It is always recommended to report your keys stolen as soon as you can to the police, particularly when it was smart keys or an ordinary turn-key ignition. The police can provide you with a crime number and give you further guidance on how to keep your vehicle safe, such as installing wheel locks. They might be able to also advise you on where to purchase an additional key.
Before contacting your insurer before contacting your insurer, make sure that you've thoroughly checked your pockets and bags for the keys. It's easy to lose keys if you place it somewhere else or you reach inside your bag to grab something and you knock your keys out of it. If you've tried everything and still can't find keys, it's time to contact your insurance company.
The choice to submit an insurance claim for a lost car key will depend on the type of key used and your deductible amount. The majority of mechanical keys aren't expensive, and can be easily replaced by a locksmith at the cost of less than your insurance deductible. However, newer keys are typically more expensive and should be purchased from the dealer or manufacturer. In some instances the purchase of a new car key may exceed your deductible.
It's also worth noting that if you're in a position to incur significant debt, an insurance company might run a credit check to see if there is an opportunity for fraud. This could lead to your claim being rejected or investigated and that's why it's vital to report any keys stolen as soon as you can.
Purchase a new set of keys
It is essential to remain in a state of calm and plan what will do if you lose your car key. There are many ways to get a new set of keys, and most options are cheaper than you would think. You can also make use of a Bluetooth key tracker to keep your car keys secure and easy to find. This is a great solution for those who lose their car keys often. You can find these types of devices online or in the majority of electronics stores.
The first step is to determine what kind of key you own. If you own a traditional or mechanical key, you can easily change it out with one from an locksmith or a hardware store. These types of keys don't have any special features or chips, and are used only to secure and unlock your vehicle. You may have to visit an auto locksmith or a dealer to replace the transponder, which is a key that is more advanced and typically installed in the key fob.
The majority of vehicles in the United States that are manufactured after 1990 have a chip in their keys that connects to the computer in the vehicle. This means that you'll need to have the VIN number for your vehicle to have a new key made. A dealership could make keys for your car however the cost may be higher than visiting locksmith.
Whatever type of car key you've got it is important to have a spare in case you lose one. You will be able return to your vehicle without waiting for locksmith. Additionally, you'll be able to avoid having to pay for a tow or call for assistance on the road.
It is crucial to look through the pockets of all your clothing before heading out and also to look in places where you wouldn't normally look for a key, like in the shoes if you're wearing them or in the fridge if you were drinking a beer. You could leave a spare key with a trusted friend or family member, and you can even consider using a Bluetooth key tracker to keep your keys in a safe place and easy to find.
Get your car repaired
There are a variety of alternatives if your car keys get stolen. You can make an insurance claim to pay the cost of a new key fob and have your car locks changed if you don't have a spare, or you can purchase a new key at a hardware store for much less than what it would cost you to read more make an insurance claim.
You may have to go to your dealer to replace the key, depending on whether your vehicle has an electronic fob or a standard key ignition. The dealer might need to purchase an electronic key chip and link it with your vehicle. This can be expensive. According to Reina, your roadside coverage could pay for towing your car to a dealer or service shop where a new one can be created.
Locksmiths can be scammers who will overcharge for services already covered by your auto insurance. There are also those who have been known to use "key phishing," a technique where they make the owner believe that their car manufacturer sent them a message requesting them to reset their code. These scams can be tricky to spot, but you can look out for them by only entering your code on the car manufacturer's website or app.
While you're at it, you should also check with your insurance company for home insurance to see if they have any additional coverage for keys to your car that are lost. American Family, for instance, offers coverage for garage door openers and keys to your home without any deductible. This coverage isn't available for all insurance companies however, so it's worth checking to see if it's offered by your current insurer or if you're eligible to add it to your policy.