Car Keys Stolen - What Do I Do If My Car Key Is Stolen?
Car keys have evolved along with the advancement of automobiles. The majority of cars today have electronic key fobs, however some have the turn-key ignition of the past.
Losing your keys to your car can be stressful and frustrating. It also leaves your vehicle vulnerable to unauthorised access if a person finds it and uses it for a period of time.
1. Contact the police
The first thing you need to do if your car keys is stolen is to notify the police. They can assist you with the creation of an investigation and will let you know when they locate your key or is willing to surrender it. It is best to take action immediately because if you put off for too long, someone else could use your car without permission. This can lead to penalties from the municipality.
The police may also be able to give you some tips on how to keep your vehicle safe and secure. You'll also be provided with an incident reference number that can be used to track the investigation. This is essential if are planning to submit a claim to your insurance company to cover the theft.
Make sure that you have your spare car keys in your bag. These keys can be hidden in places accessible to you, such as your purse or wallet or with family or friends. It is also worth contacting your local dealership for cars to see if they can reprogram your original factory key fob and give you the new one.
Make sure to check any possible locations in which you may have lost your car key. If possible, ask friends or family members to check as well. You could also contact local restaurants or libraries to see if they've found any lost keys. Most of the time, people forget where they put their keys, making it essential to double-check the obvious places before searching for less obvious ones.
Even if you have a spare, it's still a good idea to contact the police to inform them of the theft. This will stop anyone from trying to steal your car and may assist them in locating your key prior to them doing. The police may also be able offer you advice on how to protect your vehicle, which includes the use of a wheel lock.
In some cases the police might be able to inform you that your car's key has been turned in at a police station. You can then go to the police station and get it. If you have an electronic key fob on your vehicle, the process can be more complicated.
2. Call for a locksmith
A stolen car key can be an incredibly frustrating and stressful experience. It doesn't matter if it was lost or discarded in another location, forgotten or taken by someone who was just looking for an opportunity to take your car, it could be devastating. The first step is to contact the police and let them know that your car keys are missing. This will help them keep a lookout for the key, and assist you get back control of your vehicle in the event that it is stolen.
The next step is to contact an experienced locksmith. The kind of locksmith you'll need to call will depend on the kind of car you have. If your car is equipped with an ordinary, mechanical key and ignition system, the locksmith will replace your existing key. If, however, your vehicle has a key fob or is an older model that has a traditional turn-key ignition the locksmith will need to be able to access the vehicle's IMEI number (which can be found on the key or on the dashboard display). They should also be able to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle by having proof such as your registration or title.
In certain instances, a locksmith may be in a position to erase the vehicle's "memory" of the stolen key and stop it from working again. This usually requires you to take your vehicle to the dealer. In this scenario you'll have to have a spare key, or be prepared to pay a significant amount for the service.
Review your home insurance policy for coverage of car keys theft and loss. This coverage is provided in a lot of policies, and is an excellent way to cover the cost of replacing keys and lock replacements.
Car keys stolen from cars are not uncommon. If you're a diligent driver and take the right precautions, there is a much smaller chance that your car will be taken.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company
Notifying the theft of your car keys to your insurance company is important. This will assist you in tracking the culprit, and give peace of mind. This will also help protect you against identity theft. The thieves will search social media sites to find detailed information about their victims. This includes address, workplace as well as other personal details. Reporting a stolen car key as soon as you notice it is missing can prevent this from happening.
Most auto policies include coverage for lost car keys. However, exact conditions and terms may differ so it's advisable to contact your provider and discuss the details of your coverage. Certain companies provide additional benefits, such as rental car coverage or replacements for free.
You will need go to your dealer or automaker to purchase a new set of keys if the ones you have are missing from the ignition. This will require deleting the old keys and reprogramming new keys for your vehicle. This could be costly and ranges from $200 to $500 per key, click here depending on the model.
The thieves could attempt to drive the car after stealing keys. This could cause costly damage such as broken windows and doors. The burglar could be penalized when they drive without a license or in violation of traffic laws. Your insurance company will take care of any damages resulting from the theft when you report it before the deadline.
It is essential to confirm the keys are indeed missing after submitting the loss report. This will ensure that you don't end up making a false report and racking up additional charges. Start by searching every pocket, bag, and other places you normally keep your keys. Then, go back and reflect on your day and what you may have done to cause the keys to disappear. For instance, did you place them on the table in your car after coming home from work? Or did you accidentally drop them while reaching in your purse to take out your phone?
It's a good idea to notify the police if discover your keys. This will prevent the thief from being able to use your stolen keys to access other vehicles and commit further crimes.
4. Schedule an Inspection
The theft of vehicles is a huge problem. Every 32 seconds it costs Americans more than $8 billion per year. Thankfully, modern vehicles have advanced security features that make it very difficult for thieves to steal them. However, older vehicles or those with no keyless entry still need extra protection. Think about a steering lock or tire lock with brakes to protect your car against theft. These locks are simple to install and make it impossible to drive away your car.
It is imperative to inform the police about the theft of your car keys to police immediately. This will assist them in tracking the perpetrator and hopefully recover your car. The police will also give you a the crime reference number which can be used by your insurance company to investigate the theft.
You can also visit the dealership for your car's manufacturer and have new key fobs made. It is necessary to have your existing keys scanned, and the new ones will need to be programmed by your car's computer. This process may take several days, and it will be costly.
In addition to the cost of a new key, you will be required to pay for towing costs and any damages caused by the thief when he steals your vehicle. Keep your car in an area that is well-lit and in a safe parking area. Keep your keys in a safe place and never put them in the ignition.
One technique used by thieves to steal modern vehicles is to read the vehicle identification number (VIN) from the OBD port which is typically located under the dashboard. They can then utilize this information to figure out the code for your key fob and use it to start the vehicle. This is known as "relay theft." To stop this, you can install an OBD port lock or park in a secure parking area that has cameras and guards.
You can also avoid having your car keys from being taken by storing them in a screened bag. These pouches block the signal thieves are able to amplify using devices referred to as "relay transmitters." You can also purchase the device referred to as a "relay-deactivator" which you can connect to your vehicle's OBD port to deactivate the stolen car key.