If Your Car Keys Got Stolen, What to Do

If you've lost your keys, it's an overwhelming experience. Before you panic take a deep breath and walk through your day to check whether they're in a safe place, like in your pocket or inside bags you've taken out of the car.

The most important thing is to contact your insurance company. They may be able to cover the cost of replacing your car keys if immediately report the incident.

Call Your Insurance Company

The most frequent cause of car thefts is leaving keys inside the vehicle. According to statistics that a car is stolen every 32 seconds, and the cost is Americans more than $8 billion each year. This statistic shows why it's important to keep your keys in a safe location. It's also an excellent idea to invest in locks of high-quality and keep spare keys hidden in a safe place.

If you're not sure where your keys are it's a good idea contact the police department. They can look over their records and give you advice on how to protect your vehicle. In addition, they will be able to give you an identification number for crimes that is required to file a claim with your insurance company.

Then, consider whether it's worth filing an insurance claim through your car insurance for lost keys. The decision will mostly depend on the kind of key you have and how much it would cost to replace it. Some modern vehicles come with electronic keys, also known as smart keys, which are more expensive to replace compared to traditional turn-key ignitions.

Most auto insurance companies will pay for locksmiths to visit your vehicle in the event that you've been locked out. However, they will not pay for the cost of creating a new key for you, so you'll need to pay out-of-pocket for that. It's important to note that your premiums could go up in the event of a claim, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons before you do this.

If your car has an upgraded key that requires to be re-sequenced with the car's computer or re-paired with the barrels, you'll have go to your dealership to get this done. Depending on your policy and the dealer for your car the process could cost hundreds of dollars. If you lose an enhanced key, you might want to make a claim if your policy covers comprehensive insurance. It's not worth it to risk your premiums rising and doing the extra work. If you don't have comprehensive coverage get in touch with an independent insurance agent to discuss adding it to your vehicle insurance.

Contact the police

Not so long ago the loss of your car keys was not an issue. A locksmith could create an alternative key right on the spot. It can be expensive to replace keys that have been stolen or lost in certain automobiles due to more sophisticated ignitions. There are two types of ignitions and keys available today: standard turn-key ignitions and electronic keys fobs, sometimes referred to as smart keys.

The good news is that the majority of insurance companies will pay for the cost of replacing a stolen or lost set of car keys no matter if it's a fob or standard key. The most important thing to do is notify your insurance company as quickly as you can so that they can start looking for your keys and also to ensure that you get a new set without having to pay out of the pocket.

If your car is on a public road and you lose your keys, you must let the police know immediately. They can then deter people from driving around in your car and possibly capture them in the course of. If you allow someone else to use your car, and is caught by the police, they could be fined or even arrested.

Inform your dealer of you've lost keys. The majority of dealers have access to replacement keys for all types of vehicles, and they can often help you out quickly. They can also rekey your lock and give you an additional key that will disable the previous one, meaning that it can't be used for any longer.

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

There are a number of apps for smartphones that can be used to track your keys that have been stolen or lost. Tile and AirTag are two examples. are popular options which can be attached to your keys using GPS technology. You can also ring them to hear the car key in your vicinity or view their current location on a map.

Contact a locksmith

Losing your car keys can be a nightmare. The loss of your car keys could make it difficult to get to work or to school. If your car keys have been stolen it is possible to take steps to prevent the worst.

Calling the police should be your first step. This will prevent thieves from stealing or using your car to break into your house. It can also help you track down the person who took your car keys if they steal your keys.

The next step is to call the locksmith. A locksmith 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 important to bring your ID and registration. The locksmith will also need to know the name of the vehicle and VIN.

You should also contact your insurance provider. A lot of auto insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing a lost car key and it's a good idea to check out your own policy before taking this step.

If you follow these tips you can limit the damage to your car and avoid headaches. Remember to be patient and do your research before giving up! If your car keys are stuck in the ignition, do not attempt to take them out. This could do more harm than good.

If you have a traditional key, the majority of locksmiths will be able to make a replacement for you in a matter of minutes. If you have a new key fob, for instance an electronic one, it may take a little longer. You'll have to visit the dealership. If that's the case ensure 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 better to be secure than regretting!

Call Your Car Dealer

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

Report the theft immediately to the police. This will help police locate the culprit and you will be issued the check here crime reference number that you can use in the future. You can also call the locksmith or any other mechanic to request a replacement key.

If you have a key fob that connects to the computer in your car it is possible to take it to the dealership to have it deactivated. If you've lost your keys in a public, such as a parking lot, or a shop, this will prevent your car from being stolen because the thief won't have a functioning key to enter your vehicle.

Depending on the model and manufacturer of your vehicle, certain dealerships will replace your lost keys. Dealers will be able delete your old keys and connect the new one with the vehicle. It's more complicated for a locksmith to create the replacement key rather than go to a dealer.

If you report the loss as soon as possible, your insurance company may be able to assist. Certain property insurance policies that cover personal possessions coverage, may also provide keys that are new.