If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do

If you lose your keys, it can be a stressful experience. Before you panic take a deep breath, and walk through your day to see if they're somewhere obvious like in your pocket or bags you've taken out of the car.

Contact your insurance company. If you notify your insurance company of the loss of your car keys promptly they could pay for the loss.

Call Your Insurance Company

The most frequent reason for car thefts is leaving keys in the vehicle. According to research, a car gets stolen every 32 seconds, and it costs Americans more than $8 billion each year. This is the reason why it's important to ensure that your keys is kept in a secure place. It's a good idea also to invest in top quality locks and store spare keys.

Contact the police if you are unsure where your keys are. The officers will be able to check their records and give you information on protecting your vehicle. They will also be able give you a crime number that is needed to make a claim with an insurance company.

The next step is to determine whether it's worth submitting an insurance claim on your car for keys that have been lost. The decision will be based on what type of key you own and the amount it will cost to replace it. Some modern cars have electronic keys or smart keys which are more expensive to replace when compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.

The majority of auto insurance companies will pay for an expert locksmith to help gain entry into your vehicle if it's been locked out. However, they don't pay for the cost of constructing an entirely new key for you, which means you will have to pay for it out of pocket. It's important to note that your premiums could increase if you file a claim, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons before you do so.

You'll need to visit your local auto dealer to have your enhanced key re-paired or re-sequenced to the computer of the car. This could cost you hundreds of dollars depending on your insurance policy and dealer. If you lose a key with a high-end enhancement, it may be worth the effort to file a claim but only if you have comprehensive coverage under your policy. Otherwise, it's not worth the extra work and risk of your premiums increasing. If you don't have coverage that is comprehensive, contact an independent insurance agent to discuss the possibility of adding it to your car insurance.

Call the Police

In the past the time of losing your car keys was not a huge issue. You could simply call a locksmith and have a replacement key made right on the spot. Some automobiles of today come with more sophisticated ignition systems, and it could be expensive to replace your lost or stolen keys. There are two types of ignitions and keys that are available in the present: traditional turn-key ignitions and electronic key fobs, sometimes referred to as smart keys.

It's a good idea to know that most insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing stolen or lost keys to cars. This is true whether they're fob keys or a standard key. The important thing is to notify your insurance company as quickly as you can so that they can start looking for your keys, and to obtain a new set without having to pay out of pocket.

If more info your car is on public property when you lose the keys, it is crucial to notify the police right away. That way, they can help to deter others from driving the vehicle and may be capable of catching them in the act. If someone else uses your car and is subsequently caught by the police, they could be fined or even detained.

Inform your dealer about you've lost your keys. Many dealers have access replacement keys for most types of vehicles and are able to help you out fast. They can also rekey the lock and provide you with a key that disables the old one so that it is no longer working.

If your car keys are stolen, it is possible that the thieves also taken your wallet or purse. If this is the situation, you should contact your bank and credit card to see if there are any suspicious transactions on their records.

You can also use a smartphone application to track down your keys if they are lost or stolen. Tile and AirTag, for example, are popular choices that can be attached to your keys using GPS technology. They can also be rung to sound your car keys in the vicinity or to view their last known location on maps.

Contact an expert locksmith

The loss of your car keys could be a major nightmare. Losing your car keys can make it difficult to get to work or school. If your car keys are stolen, there are a few ways to stop the worst from happening.

Contacting the police is the first step. This will stop thieves from stealing your car or using your vehicle to break into your home. This will allow you to locate the person who stole your car keys.

The next step is calling an locksmith. Locksmiths can replace your vehicle's key. They will need to confirm that you are the owner of the vehicle before they can make a new key, so it is important to have your identification and registration with you. The locksmith must also be aware of the car's name and VIN.

Then, you must contact your insurance company. A lot of auto insurance policies cover the cost of replacing a lost vehicle key It's worth checking out your policy prior to taking this step.

Getting your car keys stolen is not fun however, if you follow these guidelines to minimize the damage and avoid many headaches. Remember to be patient and do your research thoroughly before giving up! If your car keys are stuck in the ignition, don't attempt to remove them. This could do more harm than good.

If you have an old-fashioned key, most locksmiths can provide a replacement right away. If, however, you have an electric fob or other modern technology, the process might take longer and will require a visit to the dealership. If this is the case, ensure that you bring proof that you are the owner of the vehicle and have the original registration or title. This will make the process much easier. It's also likely that you'll pay less for locksmiths than you would at the dealership. It's better to be safe instead of sorry.

Contact Your Car Dealer

Car keys are a vital piece of equipment. Your car won't start without them. It's not uncommon for thieves steal your keys to gain entry into your vehicle. Fortunately, there are steps you can do to avoid this from happening.

Report the theft immediately to police. This will allow police to find the perpetrator and you will be issued a crime reference code which you can use in the future. You can also call a locksmith or another mechanic for a replacement key.

If you have a key fob that connects to the computer in your car it is possible to bring it into the dealership to be deactivated. If you have lost your keys in public, such as a parking lot or a store it will stop your car from being stolen since the criminal will not have a working key to gain access to your car.

Depending on the model and maker of your car, some dealerships will replace lost keys. Dealers are in a position to remove your existing keys and then connect the new key with the vehicle. It's more difficult to get a locksmith to make an replacement key than go to the dealer.

The cost of replacing the keys to your car will differ however you will likely receive some assistance from your insurance company in the event that the loss is reported to them as soon as possible. Some property insurance policies, which include personal possessions coverage, could also provide for the cost of a set of new keys.