What to Do If Your Car Keys Are Stolen

It's a major headache to lose your car keys. It can also be expensive to replace.

Many insurance companies offer coverage for the most important protection. Certain property insurance policies (like renters or homeowners) may cover it too.

If your car keys have been stolen, you must take a few things into consideration before panic begins to set in. Here are some suggestions:

Contact the police

It is important to contact the police immediately if you suspect your keys to your car have been taken. This will stop the next thief from stealing your car. It will also give you a criminal report number that you'll need to submit a claim with an insurance company if you own one.

The police can also assist you locate your keys. They can utilize ANPR and CCTV footage to trace the car where your keys were. They can also give you suggestions on how to secure your car in the future, such as using a wheel lock.

When your keys are lost or stolen, it is common to feel a rush of anxiety. But, you must take a deep breath and keep in mind that there are ways to solve the problem.

Before doing anything else, retrace your steps. Make sure you look in the pockets of the clothes you were wearing and anywhere else you might have left keys in car stolen them. Don't forget to look in places you don't usually look, such as the bag or shoes you might have carried on your person when you were outside.

If you're unable to locate the keys, you should call a locksmith and have them change the locks. This will ensure that nobody can enter your car, even if they've got the correct keys.

The locksmith can also reprogram the locks so that the keys from before not work anymore. This can help you save money on replacing your car keys and other components of your car which might have been damaged by the theft.

It is also worth noting that your insurance provider may be able cover the cost to replace your keys. Based on the policy you are covered under, this will typically be included in the personal property coverage that a lot of policies provide.

It is important to remember that sometimes thieves look through the items that have been stolen or lost including phones, in search of information about people. They might be able to obtain your social security number or other personal data from these items, which is why it is crucial to inform the police as soon as you realize that something was taken.

Get a spare key

There are two types available currently: traditional turn-key ignitions and electronic fobs. Depending on which you have, as well as the kind of key fob you lost (or misplaced), will determine how to replace stolen car keys much of a difficulty it is to find a replacement for the lost key.

For instance, if have a traditional key you put in your ignition to start the vehicle, it's pretty easy for a locksmith to replace the key for you, even without the original. If you have a key with chip, it's more difficult to replace. You'll require the assistance of an auto dealer.

You might have to bring your car in for re-keying and the ignition replaced. This can be expensive. It is recommended to contact the police immediately after you discover that your vehicle keys are missing and report them as stolen. This will alert other people to not use your car and you won't need to worry about someone posing as you.

Another thing that you can do in the event that your car keys are lost is to have a spare key made. This is the most affordable alternative if you don't have one and it's a good idea to keep it safe so that you can access your car easily if necessary.

Be sure to check where you're used to placing your keys, such as your purse or pocket. It's also recommended to tidy up your place, as keys can be hidden from view like under couch cushions or in the pile of mail. Also, make sure to empty your pockets frequently and not leave them with food items or other things which could be easily stolen. You can prevent losing your car keys or being stolen if follow these steps. If you do happen to lose your car keys, don't be worried. Instead follow these steps to resolve the issue.

Get a New Key Made

It wasn't too long ago that losing or, even worse, having your car keys stolen was not a huge issue. A locksmith could create a new car key in just a few minutes. Things have become more complicated. If your car is fitted with the modern technology, replacing your key may require several steps and cost a lot of money depending on the type of key you have.

You should investigate every possible place where your key could be. If you suspect you have lost it in a public place make sure you ask the staff at the library, restaurant or other establishment where you might have lost your keys to see if they've seen your car keys lately. It's also a good idea to go back and search every bag, coat and pocket you might have had on you. You may find your key in one of those locations, and the few moments spent searching there may help you avoid having to file an investigation, changing your locks, or pay for a new set of keys, all of which can be quite expensive.

If you're sure that your key was stolen, you'll have to obtain a new key from the manufacturer or dealership. This will be the most expensive option but it is also going to be the most efficient. You'll need all the documentation (such as the registration or title of your car) and an ID with a photo to do this. The dealer will then need to purchase an additional key for your car and it could take a few days.

Calling a local auto-locksmith is a cheaper and more efficient option. They can make a key for your vehicle that doesn't include any special electronics such as a chip or transponder. Most of these locksmiths can also do this on the on-the-spot which is a lot more efficient than contacting your dealer or the manufacturer.

Contact Your Insurance Company

You'll need contact your insurance provider to see if your policy will cover this. Most insurance companies offer some form of key protection as an add-on however, it's essential to check with them to make sure you're covered. You could save lots of time and money in the future.

Contact your insurance company immediately after you lose your keys. This will assist the police to track down the perpetrator and recover your keys. You can also obtain a crime reference from the police later to make an insurance claim.

The police can also assist you change the locks in your office or home if your keys stolen were stolen from there. This will prevent unauthorized individuals from stealing your vehicle or breaking into other property.

Once you have contacted the police, you need to make a new key as quickly as you can. The cost and process for this will depend on the type of key your car makes use of. Mechanical keys that are traditional are affordable and can be purchased at a hardware store that is general while electronic key fobs or smart keys require a professional to create a new key for you.

Certain car insurance companies also offer roadside assistance that includes locksmith services. If you have this coverage the insurer will pay to dispatch locksmiths to help you out, but you'll need to cover the cost of creating the new key.

Keep your car keys stolen from house and car stolen keys visible at all times and do not leave them unattended. However, if you do happen to lose them, it's important to know what happens if your car keys are stolen to do if your car keys are stolen to reduce the chance of theft and inconvenience. I hope this guideline comes in handy, and you won't need to worry about losing your keys again any time soon!