What Is It That Makes Car Stolen Lost Spare Key So Popular?
Wiki Article
What to Do If Your Car Keys Are Stolen
Losing your car keys could be a terrifying experience. Before panicking, take a deep breath, and take a careful look at your pockets, bags and your immediate surroundings.
Modern keys should be turned off to avoid theft.
Report it to the Police
Losing your car keys is an unsettling and stressful experience. It can disrupt your day, disrupt your plans, and even cost you to incur additional expenses. If your keys have fallen out of your pocket, or you've misplaced them, there are some steps you can take to avoid any further problems and remain safe.
In the beginning, you must be calm and not panic. This can cloud your judgement and make it harder to come up with a solution. Take a deep breath, and be sure to check your purse, pockets or handbag for the keys. If you lost your keys in a public area or work place and you need to ask someone else to verify whether it was found. Additionally, if you have spare keys in your home, you should give them a thorough look as well.
Once you have checked every obvious spot where keys might be, it's the right time to report the incident to the police. The earlier you report it, the more effective. This will be an official police report that will help you with your insurance claim in the future.
You can complete an online crime report with the NYPD. You'll need your vehicle registration number as well as several other details in order to complete the report. Once the report is filed it will be entered into NCIC and state auto theft computer records. This will deter anyone from trying to sell your stolen vehicle or applying for the title.
Report the loss of your spare keys to your insurance company. This will allow them to begin the claim process and may even pay any additional expenses you have to incur due to your keys being lost. Your insurance agent can also guide you on ways to increase the security of your car to lower the likelihood of it being taken away. This could include a car immobiliser or tracking device that could be linked to your key fob, smartphone applications or car key fob.
Find a replacement key
It's not uncommon to lose things in the shuffle of your hectic life. The loss of your car keys, your favorite pair of sunglasses, or even your debit card could be a major disruption to your plans.
It's not a big deal to replace a key for a vehicle that has been stolen. There are many options for you to choose from when getting a new key depending on the kind of key your vehicle has.
You can call either your dealer or an auto locksmith to request a new key. The dealer is likely to charge the most, but they can do it fast. They may also use the VIN number of the car to match the new key to your specific vehicle.
If your car is old and uses a traditional mechanical key, you can probably find a locksmith who can do the job for less than the dealer. The locksmith can make the key on site and modify your old key to make it useless.
You may have to visit the dealer to order keys for a more modern vehicle equipped with transponder chips or a remote-keyless chip. The dealer will need know the model and make of your vehicle in order to match the key with it.
Always have a spare key in case you lose your primary key or cannot start your vehicle due to any reason. Also, you should look in places you would not normally search for your keys, such as inside pockets of your pants or jacket, or in a bag you took to work. If you are still unable to locate your keys, consider getting a GEICO emergency roadside service policy. This will give you access to a nationwide network of professional auto locksmiths who can help you get back to driving in a short time. These policies can save you money and stress in the event that your car keys are lost or stolen.
Make a Claim with Your Insurance Company
The loss of your car keys could be a source of anxiety. Then, your plans to put on comfortable sweats, order pizza and binge-watch your favorite show are thrown out of the window. After a moment of despair you will most likely calm down and begin to think about what happened. This is the time to remember to call the police. Not only will this provide you a crime reference number that may help to locate your keys however, it will also make your insurance company aware of the incident and offer you guidance on how to proceed in making an insurance claim.
The majority of auto policies will cover the cost of a locksmith or will pay for the cost of an exchange of keys provided by your dealer. If you have roadside assistance coverage, your insurance company is likely to help with finding the key. Keep an original copy of your police report and any receipts that pertain to the incident. Your insurer may ask to review these documents. It is recommended to keep the phone number and name of everyone you speak with at your insurer, as well as copies of any documents they ask for.
It is also important to inform your insurance company about the situation so that they are on the lookout for any indications of attempted theft. If you put off the issue for too long, someone could try to use the key that is missing to get into your vehicle. They could leave scratches on your ignition or doors.
It is essential to keep a spare key in your pocket in the event that you lose yours. As more cars come with smart keys, it's more important to be aware of where your keys are. If you do lose your car keys, these tips will ensure that your day or evening won't be ruined.
Change Your Locks
We've all experienced how it feels to lose your keys. You've had a long, tiring day and you want to get home, change into your comfortable sweats, grab a pizza, and watch your favorite show. You make your way to the car, only to realize that you're unable to locate your keys. The panic begins to set in.
You should contact locksmiths as well. While your first reaction may be to contact your insurance company, they could provide you with a replacement key. Depending on the kind of car you have and its locks, they can either replace your keys or replace them. If your car has keys that are traditional here locksmith will take an impression of the lock and cut new keys right there and then. If your car is more modern and has a key fob, you'll need to visit an authorized dealer to have a new one programmed.
Rekeying locks is a great option since it guarantees that no one else has access to your spare key. This is crucial if you are worried that your keys have been stolen with your purse or wallet. This will protect your private information from falling into the wrong hands and put you at risk of identity theft.
A locksmith will usually charge anywhere from $20 to $75 to change the locks. Check reviews before hiring a Locksmith because they're not all made identical. You should ensure that they have the right equipment and knowledge for your particular type of vehicle.
Change your locks after your vehicle is stolen can be a hassle and expensive however it's worth the assurance that nobody else has access to your vehicle or personal items. A police report will also help you locate the property that was stolen, and could be the basis for the arrest of a criminal. Don't forget to file a report with your home insurance company as well if keys go missing from your residence.