Key Car Repair - What to Do If Your Keys Get Lost, Damaged, Or Stolen

It's easy to overlook the humble car key for granted, until it gets damaged, lost, or stolen. It's essential to know the procedure for getting your keys repaired and what to do if you're stranded.

Minor scratches can be mended with touch-up paint, but more severe ones might require professional mobile detailing services. They have the tools and skills necessary to repair the damage.

Key Marks and Scratches

Having your car keyed can be a stressful experience. Not only does it affect the appearance of your vehicle, but it can cause damage to the resale value. There are ways to lessen the impact of this kind of vandalism. This includes an assessment of the damage, choosing the correct repair method, and finding a reputable professional to finish the task.

The first step in repairing a key scratch is to thoroughly clean the affected area. This will get rid of any dirt or Key Car Repair wax residue and allow you to assess the extent of the damage with greater precision. Scratches vary from very superficial to deeper, the latter affecting the paint as well as the clear coat. The deeper scratches may expose the bare metal body of your car. More severe scratches can be fixed with the use of rubbing compound, car polish and sandpaper.

To repair a scratch on a key it is best to speak with a mobile auto detailing specialist. They will have the knowledge, expertise, and specialized equipment necessary to repair the damage efficiently and effectively. In addition to ensuring that the scratches are repaired correctly, they will also apply a clear protective coating on the affected areas.

Before hiring a professional for car detailing make sure you ask for references and do some research online to find out what other customers are saying about them. A professional who refuses to provide references is a red flag. It is also important to determine whether your insurance company has an approved list of professionals to select from.

Keyed Car Repair

Whether it's due to rash driving or an accident collision, having your car keyed can be a devastating experience. It's not just a threat to the appearance of your vehicle however, it could also lead to corrosion and other surface damage. In some instances the damage could make it unsafe to drive your car.

If you have a comprehensive insurance policy the type of damage will be covered but you'll still be accountable for the deductible. Take pictures of any damage before you attempt any repairs in order to get the most benefit from your insurance coverage. Contact your insurance provider and request an inspection by an adjuster. The damage will be assessed and then repaired.

Locked in the Trunk

Locking your trunk is among the most frequent issues that car owners have to deal with. When closing the vehicle, it's unusual to leave keys in the trunk. This can happen when someone is distracted or is in a hurry. It can happen to anyone and is a stressful situation to be in.

It's essential to be calm and think about what you can do to avoid damaging your vehicle in order to fix the problem. Call a professional if you aren't confident in your ability to open the trunk. They can assist you in determining whether the trunk lock is been damaged or worn out due to regular use.

It can be frightening for people to get locked in their trunks. Some people are locked in their trunks without knowing it or are forced into it by criminals as part of an armed theft. It is a good thing to keep a spare key at home or with a trusted friend.

If you do have a spare car key, try using it to unlock the trunk before calling professional help. Consider keeping the spare car key in your pocket or in a bag that you can easily access if you are locked in the trunk.

Certain modern cars have a trunk release button that can be pressed from the cabin to open the trunk without keys. This is an excellent feature to have however it is only functional if the car is stopped and you can reach the lever.

You might also be able to open the trunk of your vehicle folding back the rear seats. The latch is usually found in the middle console or underneath the carpet. You can remove your keys from the trunk and leave the car without damaging it when you open the trunk this manner.

If you have no spare key and don't want to risk breaking into your car, you can try using a wire hanger. Bend the hanger, then twist one end into a small hook. Then, you can place the hook between the backseat and trunk of your car. If there's a lever or button that opens the trunk and you want to use the hook to push or pull it. It may be necessary repeat this process several times to be able to open your trunk.

Locked in the Ignition

The ignition switch, the teeth and pins of the ignition cylinder, or the ignition cylinder can cause a key to become stuck in the ignition. Most of the time, the issue isn't as serious as it appears at first and you can resolve it without the need for a professional locksmith or auto repair.

Make sure that your vehicle is in neutral or park before you panic. A lot of modern vehicles won't let you remove the keys when they're not in parking mode. Try jiggling the gear shift from side to side. This will loosen pins and springs in the cylinder making it easier to take off your key.

The ignition may become blocked and even gunky over time especially if it's not frequently used. If this happens, try squirting the lubricant for your lock with silicon into the ignition and door lock. This will allow you to remove any dirt particles that are obstructing the keyhole, and it can be a way to prevent future problems.

If this isn't working, you might have spray WD40 into the ignition and wiggle the key. This will release any dirt particles that are preventing the key from turning and allow you to insert the key and turn it over. If you don't get any results, there is possibility that the key is too worn to be able to connect the pins inside the cylinder. You'll need to replace the key as quickly as you can to avoid a problem in the future.

You should also contact an automotive locksmith if your key is stuck in the ignition or breaks off. They will have the tools to remove a damaged remote key fob repair and can often produce an entirely new car key on the spot also. They can also determine whether the ignition cylinder of your car is affected by recalls or technical service bulletins, or other issues.

Making a Claim

The decision to file an insurance claim for a key car repair is based on a few factors. It all depends on the type of insurance the owner of the vehicle has. If the vehicle has comprehensive insurance, which covers damage caused by events beyond the driver's reach, it is likely to be covered by the policy. However, it will also depend on the amount of the deductible, as well as how much the car will eventually cost to fix.

The owner of the car must contact their insurance company to have their claims department review the damage. This will ensure that the damage is covered. The car owner should also take pictures and obtain an official police report.

After the insurance company has examined the vehicle, they'll likely cover the repairs. In some instances insurance companies will send the repair bill to the mechanic directly while in other instances the car owner has to pay the repair out of the pocket, and then submit an insurance claim.

If the car was tampered with when it was parked in a public place it is likely that there could be witnesses or video footage of the vandalism. If this is the case, it will be much simpler to identify and punish the culprit.

If the key scuffed the primer but did not penetrate the metal or the primer, the car owner may be able get the cost of the repair through a small claims court. Keying claims do not impact the rates of insurance as much as compared to a major accident claim however, it does have an impact.