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

It is easy to take the car key for granted until it gets damaged, lost, or stolen. It's crucial to know how to repair your keys and what you should do in the event that you're stranded.

Minor scratches can be fixed by applying a touch-up, however more serious ones might require mobile key Fob Repair detailing. They have the materials and skills necessary to fix the damage.

Scratches and Key Marks

Car keys can be a very stressful experience. It's not just affecting the appearance of your vehicle and its price of resales. There are steps that can be taken to minimize the impact of this type of vandalism. This includes assessing the damage, selecting the right repair method, and locating a professional to finish the task.

The first step to repair a scratch on a key is to thoroughly clean it. This will remove any wax and dirt, allowing you to better determine the extent of the damage. Scratches vary from very superficial to more extensive, Mobile Key Fob Repair impacting the paint as well as the clear coat. More severe scratches may expose the bare metal in the car. Deeper scratches are repaired with rub compound, car polish, and sandpaper.

To repair a scratch on a key, it's best to contact an auto detailing professional on the move. They'll have the experience, expertise, and specialized equipment necessary to repair the damage quickly and effectively. They will not only make sure that the scratches are repaired correctly, but also apply clear protective coatings to the damaged areas.

Get references before hiring a professional for car detailing. You can also do some research online to see what other customers have said about them. If a professional is hesitant to provide references, it's a red flag. Find out if your insurance company has a list of preferred specialists.

Keyed Car Repair

It can be a very stressful experience to have your car keyed in the event of a loss because of reckless driving or an accident. Not only can it damage the appearance of your vehicle and cause rust, but it can also cause and other surface damage. In some cases the damage can make it unsafe to drive your vehicle.

If you have a comprehensive insurance policy this kind of damage will be covered though you will still be accountable for the deductible. Take pictures of any damage before you attempt any repairs to get the most from your insurance policy. Contact your insurance agency and schedule an inspection with a claims adjuster in order to assess the damage and have it repaired.

Locked in the Trunk

Locking your trunk is one of the most common problems car owners have to deal with. It's not uncommon for a person to forget their keys in their trunk when they close their car, especially if they're distracted or in a hurry. Anyone can find themselves in this situation, and it's a hassle.

It is important to be calm and think about what you can do without damaging your vehicle in order to fix the issue. If you're not confident in trying to unlock the trunk on your own, contact a professional. They'll be able to help you determine whether the trunk lock is damaged or is worn from regular use.

The experience of being locked in a trunk can be a scary experience for people. Some people get locked in their trunks without knowing it or are forced into it by criminals as part of a robbery. It's a good idea to keep an extra key in your home or with a trusted family member.

If you have a spare key, use it to open the trunk before calling for help. Consider keeping the spare car key in your pocket, or in a bag that you can easily access even if you're locked in the trunk.

Certain modern cars have a trunk release button that can be pressed from the cabin to open the trunk even without keys. This is a useful feature however, only if you are able to reach it and the car is not in motion.

You may also be able to access the trunk of your car by using the fold-down rear seats. You'll usually find the latch for these in the middle console or somewhere under the carpet. You can grab your keys from the trunk and then leave the car without damaging it if you open the trunk in this manner.

If you don't have a spare key and don't want to break into your car, try using a wire hanger. Bend the hanger and twist the other end to form an incredibly small hook. Then, put the hook between the trunk and backseat of your vehicle. The hook can be used to push and pull the button or lever on the trunk. You might need to do this multiple times, but you will eventually be able to remove yourself from the trunk.

Ignition Locked In

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. Often, the problem isn't as serious as it appears initially, and you can solve it without the need to call a professional auto service or a locksmith.

Before you panic, make sure that your vehicle is set in neutral or in park (many modern vehicles with automatics will not let you take the key off when they're not in a parking position). Try jiggling the gear shift from side to side. This can loosen springs as well as pins in the cylinder making it easier to remove your key.

The ignition could become blocked and even gunky over time particularly if it isn't used often. If this happens, try pouring an oil-based lubricant for locks made of silicon into the ignition and door lock. This will allow you to remove any dirt particles that are obstructing the keyhole, and could stop future problems from occurring.

If this doesn't help, you can spray WD40 in the ignition and then wiggle your key. This will loosen any dirt particles that may be preventing the ignition switch from turning. It can also allow you to insert and turn the key once more. If you don't get any results, there is possibility that the key is just too worn to be able to connect the pins inside the cylinder. You'll need to replace the key as soon you can to avoid a problem in the future.

It is also important to remember that if you're unable to remove your key, or if it breaks off from the ignition, you should call an emergency locksmith right away. These professionals have the necessary tools to remove a damaged remote key repair and can often produce an entirely new car key immediately, too. They can also assist you to determine if the year model, make and model of vehicle is subject to recalls or technical service bulletins that relate to the ignition key cylinder.

Making a Claim

The decision to make a claim for an important car repair is based upon a number of factors. It will first depend on the type of coverage that the car owner is covered by. If the car is covered by comprehensive coverage, which covers damages caused by events that are not under the driver's reach, it is likely to be covered by the policy. It also depends on the amount you pay for the deductible as well as the repair cost.

The owner of the vehicle must contact the insurance company to request that the claims department look at the damage. This will ensure that the damages will be covered. The car owner should also take photographs and submit an insurance claim form.

After the insurance company has examined the vehicle, they'll most likely be able to pay for the repairs. In some cases the insurance company might forward the repair bill directly to the mechanic, however in other situations the car owner will be required to pay for the damages out of pocket, and then make a claim with the insurance company.

If the car was tampered with when it was parked in a public place, it is possible that there were 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 was scratched and did not penetrate all the way to the primer or even the metal, then the car owner may be able to recover the costs of the repair in 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.