What to Do If Car Keys Are Stolen

Losing your car keys is a very frustrating experience. It can also be expensive to replace them. Certain insurance policies will cover the cost of replacing them.

First, you must remain calm. Follow your steps and hopefully you'll locate them. If you do not, the next step is to call your car dealership.

Inform the police about the theft

The first thing you should do if you suspect that your car keys have been stolen is contact the police. It may appear to be a formality, however it can make a a huge difference to your chances of regaining the keys. The police can mark your vehicle as a crime location and notify local authorities to increase the likelihood of finding your keys. They can also review CCTV footage or use ANPR technology to track the car's movements.

It's also an excellent idea to notify your insurance company. This will help to cover the costs of replacing your keys if they aren't recovered. In addition, certain insurance policies will even pay for the replacement of your lock for your car when you report the loss in a timely stage.

Be aware that the car burglar could know the kind of keys you have. It is important to keep your car keys visible. You should also take any valuables out of your car or keep them locked away. If you have a spare car key, request that your dealer disable it to ensure that the person who took your key can't use it.

The next step is to retrace your steps. Start by checking all of the pockets and bags you used during the day. You should also look in places that you wouldn't normally go, like under the car or inside the trash bin.

It is best to call locksmiths if you're unable to locate your keys. You don't need to have your original key with you to get an entirely new one. However, if your vehicle is older and uses keys of a different type you may need to contact a dealer's support department and get the locks reprogrammed.

Several smartphone apps can also help you locate lost keys. These include Tile and AirTag, which use GPS technology to ring your key or display its last position on a map. However, these devices only work only if they're within reach of your phone.

Contact your insurance company

In the past the loss of your car keys wasn't too significant of a loss. You might have put them in your cupholder, or even under your visor, and gone into the store thinking you'd return in a few minutes. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle replacement process could be long and expensive. It's a good idea to prevent this from happening, to get an additional set of keys and keep keys in a safe place. This will lower the chances of your vehicle being stolen car keys from house in an accident and you won't be required to file a claim with your insurance company for an additional set of keys.

Many insurance companies offer optional cover for key theft and loss. For instance, Budget Insurance has a nationwide network of locksmiths that can offer replacement keys and reset the immobiliser without the need to file an insurance claim. It's worth checking the terms and conditions of your policy to determine the options available.

Once you've reported the theft to the police The next step is to contact your insurance company. This will enable your insurance company to start looking for your keys and can also give you suggestions on how to replace keys.

The steps you need to follow will vary based on the type of electronic key fob or an ignition with a turn-key. You'll have to visit your local dealership to get an electronic key fob. The dealer will need to know the model of your car keys stolen from unlocked house and model so that they can create a key that matches the existing fob. If your car is equipped with a traditional key you'll need to consult a locksmith to replace the barrel and cylinder of the lock in your vehicle.

Reporting any item as soon when it is stolen, regardless of how small or insignificant it may appear at the moment is essential. This will help to prevent the items from keyless cars being stolen used in criminal activity and could result in the recovery of your car keys that were stolen. The most important thing is to stay calm and focus on bringing the police in immediately.

Get a new set of keys made

Not long ago, misplacing or losing your car keys wasn't a big deal. You could purchase an extra set at your local hardware store or use the key fob you got from your wallet to start your car. Now, things are a bit more complicated--and if you don't have an extra car key to be able to rely on it could be costly to purchase one.

Making a new car key will differ based on the type of car you drive, and whether or the roadside assistance plan will cover it. Many insurance companies will cover car dealerships and automotive locks to make traditional keys. If you own an electronic key fob or smart key, however the process is more complicated.

An auto dealer will have to change the programming of your car's locks and ignition in the event of an unrecoverable key that is an electronic remote. This will generally cost you a few hundred dollars. You can also purchase an entirely new remote and have it programmed to your car. This is less expensive, but still not cheap.

Reporting your car key theft as soon as possible is crucial because the person who stole your keys could have already started the car with the keys and then walked away. If this happens, the thief will leave marks on your doors, and also in your ignition. If you report the theft early, however, this shouldn't be a problem--your insurance company will take care of the cost of getting your ignition and locks replaced.

If your house keys were also lost along with your car keys it's a good idea to notify your home security system of the incident. The alarm company will be able to tell you if someone is in your home and can call the police on your behalf. This will decrease the chance that the person who pried off your car keys will return to steal something else later on. If they do police will search for them and arrest them for breaking into your house.

Be proactive to prevent thefts from occurring again

Not only is losing your car keys a major hassle but it can also be incredibly scary. There are fortunately, a few steps you can take to stop theft from occurring again and ensure that your vehicle is safe. First, you must notify the police about the loss so that they can put an alert on your name. This will help stop any person from stealing your vehicle or using it for other criminal acts. Notify your insurance company so they can help find your vehicle and file a claim.

The next step you should do is change your locks. If you suspect that someone has your key fob, you need to ensure that they can't use it to gain access to your office or home. It will be much more difficult for them to break in your vehicle if don't give them the code. You should also place a fraud alert on your credit report. This will alert companies that try to open an account under your name to look for fraud.

If you've lost your key fob, check in the pockets of the purses or jackets you were wearing at the time you last used it. You may also contact your dealership if you're in the region. They may be able to reset the key fob, and delete the immobilizer so that it can't be used to get into your car.

Some insurance companies provide a courtesy vehicle while your locks are changed. But, this is contingent on the policy and insurer. You should also consider adding an important protection plan to your current policy, which could cost as low as hundreds of dollars.

Car thieves are always looking for opportunities, so it's important to stay alert for any sign that might give them an advantage. It's important not to keep your key fob in the ignition since this increases the likelihood of theft. These measures will keep your car and belongings secure.