How A Weekly Car Key Stolen What Do I Do Project Can Change Your Life
How A Weekly Car Key Stolen What Do I Do Project Can Change Your Life
Blog Article
Car Keys Stolen - What Do I Do If My Car Key Is Stolen?
Car keys have evolved due to the advances in automobiles. Today, most automobiles use electronic key fobs and some still use the traditional turn-key ignition.
Losing your car keys can be stressful and difficult. It also leaves your vehicle vulnerable to unauthorized access if a person finds it and uses it for a while.
1. Contact the police
Notifying the police is the first thing you must do if you suspect your car keys have been taken. They can assist you with the creation of reports and notify you if they find your key or if someone is willing to surrender it. It is best to do this right away since if you delay for too long, someone else could use your car without your permission. This could result in fines from the municipality.
The police might provide you tips about keeping your car safe and secure. You'll also be provided with an identification code for crime that you can use to track the case. This is important in the event that you decide to file an insurance claim for the theft.
Make sure you always have your spare car keys on hand. Keys can be hidden in places that are easy to access like your wallet or purse, or even with your family or friends. You can also contact the local dealership to determine whether they can reprogram your factory key fob.
Make sure to check any possible locations where you might have lost your car key. Request family members or friends to check too if possible. You can also call local libraries or restaurants to ask if any keys have been discovered. It is common for people to forget where they placed their keys. Therefore, it's important to check the obvious locations prior to moving on to less obvious locations.
Even if you've got a spare key, it is still worth calling police to report a theft. This will stop anyone from trying to steal your car and may help them locate your key before they do. The police may also be able to give you tips on how to protect your vehicle, for instance using a wheel lock.
In some instances you may find out from the police your car keys have been returned to an officer station. You can then pick up your car key at the police station. The process could be more difficult if your vehicle is modern vehicles that have an electronic key fob.
2. Call a locksmith
A stolen car key is an extremely stressful and frustrating event. It doesn't matter if it was lost or left in a different location and forgotten, or stolen by someone looking for an opportunity to steal your car, it can be devastating. Contact the police to inform them know that your car keys have gone missing. This will allow them to keep an eye out for the key, and help you regain control of your vehicle in the event that it is stolen.
The next step is to call a professional locksmith. The type of locksmith you need to call depends on the kind of vehicle you own. If your car is equipped with an ordinary, mechanical key and ignition system, the locksmith will simply replace your existing key. If, however, your vehicle is equipped with a key fob or is an older model that utilizes a traditional turn-key system the locksmith will have to be able to access the vehicle's IMEI number (which can be found on the key or the dashboard display). The locksmith will also have to verify your ownership of the car by presenting proof like a registration or title.
In certain situations the locksmith may be able to erase the "memory of the car" and block the key from working in the future. This usually requires you to bring your vehicle to the dealer. You'll require a spare or willing to pay a large amount of money for this service.
Check your home insurance policy for coverage of car keys theft and loss. This coverage is covered in a lot of policies, and can be a great way to cover the cost of replacement keys and lock replacements.
Car keys stolen from cars are a frequent occurrence. If you are a diligent driver and take all the necessary precautions there is a smaller chance that your car is stolen.
3. Contact Your Insurance Company
The reporting of the theft of your car keys to your insurance company is important. This will assist in tracking the culprit and give you peace of mind. It also protects you from identity theft. The criminals will look through social media sites to find detailed information on their victims. This includes address, workplace and other personal information. Notifying a car key that was stolen immediately you notice it missing can stop this from happening.
Most auto policies include coverage for lost car keys. The specific terms and conditions can vary and you should consult your insurance provider to discuss your coverage. Certain companies provide additional benefits, such as rental insurance for cars or free replacements.
If your car keys are not in the ignition, you'll have to go to your dealer or automaker to have a new set made. This will involve deleting the keys you have and reprogramming the new keys to the vehicle. This can be costly and cost between $200 and $500 per key, based on the type.
A few thieves might try to drive your read more vehicle after stealing your keys. This could cause costly damage, such as damaged windows and doors. It's also likely that the thief is penalized for driving without a license or ignoring traffic laws. Your insurance company will pay for any damage caused by the theft if you report it early.
It is essential to verify that the keys are missing after submitting the loss report. This will prevent you from making a false report and incurring additional costs. Start by searching every bag, pocket and other places where you normally keep your keys. Then, go back and reflect on your day and what you could have done to cause them to be lost. For instance, did you put them on the table in your car after coming home from work? Or did you accidentally drop them while you reached in your purse to take out your phone?
If you find your car keys, it's still a good idea to contact the police. This will stop the burglar from using your stolen keys to access other vehicles and to commit further crimes.
4. Schedule an Inspection
The theft of vehicles is a huge problem. It happens every 32 seconds and costs Americans more than $8 billion every year. Thankfully, modern vehicles have sophisticated security features that make it very difficult for thieves to take them. However, older cars and those that do not have keyless entry require additional security. To guard your car from theft, think about purchasing a steering wheel lock or a tire and brake lock. These devices are easy to install and make it difficult for a thief to drive your vehicle away.
It's important that you inform the police about the theft of your car keys to police immediately. This will help them track the perpetrator and, hopefully, recover your vehicle. The police will also provide you with the crime reference number which can be used by your insurance company to investigate the theft.
You can also go to the dealership for your vehicle's manufacturer and have new key fobs created. You'll need to have the existing keys scanned and the new ones will need to be programmed by your car's computer. This can take a few days and can be costly.
You'll also have to be responsible for any damage caused by the thief as he drives off with your vehicle. Keep your car in an area that is well-lit and in a safe parking area. Also, keep your keys in a safe place and don't leave them in the ignition.
One technique used by thieves to steal modern vehicles is by reading the vehicle identification number (VIN) from the OBD port which is typically found under the dashboard. The thieves could use this information to obtain the code for the key fob, and then start the vehicle. This is called "relay theft." You can stop it by installing an OBD portlock or parking in a secure space with cameras and guards.
You can also try to stop your car keys from being stolen by keeping them in a screened pouch. These pouches stop the signal that thieves can amplify with devices referred to as "relay transmitters." You can also purchase a device dubbed"relay deactivator" or "relay deactivator" that you can plug into your car's OBD port to disable the key that was stolen.