If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do

It can be stressful when you 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. If you notify your insurance company of the loss of your car keys promptly, they may pay for the loss.

Call Your Insurance Company

One of the most frequent causes of car theft is leaving keys inside. According to the statistics that show that a car is taken every 32 seconds, costing Americans over $8 billion per year. This statistic is the reason why it's important to ensure that your keys is kept in a secure place. It's also a good idea to invest in high quality locks and keep spare keys in a safe place.

If you're unsure where your keys are, it's best to contact the police department. The officers can check their records and provide advice on how to protect your vehicle. In addition, they will be able give you an identification number for crimes, which is necessary to file a claim with your insurance company.

Then, determine whether it's worth filing an insurance claim through your car insurance for lost keys. The decision will largely depend on the type of key you own and how much it would cost to replace it. Certain modern vehicles have electronic keys or smart keys which are more expensive to replace as compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.

Most auto insurance companies will cover locksmiths to visit your vehicle if you've been locked out. However, they won't cover the cost of making the new key for you, meaning you will have to pay out-of-pocket for that. Remember that your insurance premiums can increase if you file an application. It's best to weigh the pros and cons of filing a claim before making the decision.

You'll need to go to your local auto dealer to have the upgraded key repaired or re-sequenced with the computer in the car. Depending on the policy you have and the dealer of your car, this could cost hundreds of dollars. If you lose an enhanced key, you may need to make a claim if the policy provides comprehensive coverage. Otherwise, it's not worth the extra effort and the risk of your insurance premiums rising. If you don't have coverage that is comprehensive get in touch with an independent insurance agent to discuss the possibility of adding it to your car insurance.

Call the Police

Not so long ago the loss of your car keys wasn't such an issue. Locksmiths could create an replacement key right there. It can be expensive to replace keys that are stolen or lost in certain cars because they have more sophisticated ignitions. There are two primary kinds of auto ignitions and keys on the market today electronic key fobs (sometimes called smart keys) and turn-key standard ignitions.

The good news is that most insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing a lost or stolen set of car keys, whether it's a fob or standard key. It is important to notify your insurance provider immediately to allow them to begin looking for your keys. You can also obtain a replacement set without paying out from your pocket.

It is crucial to notify the police immediately if your vehicle is stationed in a public space when you lose your keys. That way, they can assist in stopping other people from driving the vehicle and could be capable of catching them in the act. In addition, if anyone else tries to use your car and is spotted by the police, they could be fined or even arrested.

Inform your dealer of you've lost your keys. Dealers are usually able to assist you immediately if they have replacement keys for your car model. They can also rekey your lock and give you an additional key that will disable the previous one, meaning that it will not work in the future.

Another important thing to remember is that the car keys you have taken, it's possible the thieves may have also taken other valuables like your purse or wallet. If this is the case you need to contact your bank and credit card to check for suspicious transactions on their records.

There are also a variety of smartphone apps available that can be used to track keys that are lost or stolen. Tile and AirTag, for example, are popular options which can be attached to your keys using GPS technology. You can also use them to ring your car key nearby or see their last known position on a map.

Contact a Locksmith

Losing your car keys can be a nightmare. It's already difficult enough to get to school or work without a car, but when you lose your keys it can make life extremely difficult. Fortunately, if your vehicle keys are lost, there are ways to avoid the worst from occurring.

The first thing you need to do is contact the police. This will prevent thieves from taking your car, or using it to break into your home. This will allow you to locate the person who took your keys to your car.

The next step is to call a locksmith. A locksmith will be able to replace your lost car key. Before they can create a key, they will be required to verify the ownership of the vehicle. It is therefore essential to bring along your ID and registration. The locksmith needs to know both the VIN and name of the vehicle.

Then, you must contact your insurance company. A lot of auto insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a lost vehicle key, so it's worth checking out your own policy before taking this step.

Car keys stolen is not fun however, if you follow these steps you can limit the damage and avoid many headaches. Remember to be patient and look for the keys before you give up! If your car keys are stuck in the ignition, do not attempt more info to take them out. It could cause more harm than good!

Most locksmiths can provide you with new keys even if you have an old-fashioned key. If, however, you have an electric fob or other modern technology, the process could take longer and require a visit to the dealer. If this is the case, ensure that you bring proof that you're the car owner or an original registration or title. This will speed up the process considerably. Locksmiths will probably charge you less than a dealership. It's always safer to be safe than to be sorry!

Call Your Car Dealer

Your car keys are an essential piece of equipment. Without them, your car won't start. It is not uncommon for thieves steal your keys to gain entry into your car. Luckily, there are things you can do to stop this from happening.

Report the theft immediately to police. This will help police find the perpetrator, and you will receive the crime reference number that you can use in the future. You can also call the locksmith or any other mechanic to get a new key.

If you have a key fob that connects to the computer in your car and you want to take it to the dealership to have it deactivated. If you've lost your keys in a public place, like a parking lot or in a shop, this will help ensure that your car can't be stolen because the thief won't have a functioning key to enter it with.

Some car dealerships offer services to replace lost keys, depending on the model and manufacturer of your vehicle. The dealers will be able to delete your existing keys and then pair the new one to the vehicle. This process is more complicated than simply having a professional locksmith create you a replacement key, so it is recommended to contact the dealer to get this service.

If you notify the loss as soon as you can the insurance company might be able to help. Certain property insurance policies, which include personal possessions coverage, could also provide for the cost of a set of new keys.