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Car Keys Missing? Here's What to Do
Losing car keys is easy. Especially when you also have your house or office keys on the same key ring.
Fortunately the personal property insurance under your homeowners or renters policy typically covers keys stolen from cars stolen with keyless entry. However, you may need to pay your deductible.
Retract your steps
You've had a long and exhausting day. All you want to do when you get home is to change into a comfy sweatshirt and eat pizza, then watching TV. Then you discover that your keys aren't exactly where they should be, and your perfect evening is ruined. Panic sets in, and you start thinking of the worst scenarios you could imagine. It doesn't work. The best thing to do is to calm down and take a deep breath. Once you've restored control of your rational side and you're ready to figure out the next step.
Retrace your steps is the first step. Consider the last time you had keys in your hands and where you were going with them. Retracing your steps can help you pinpoint where they went missing and possibly find them. It's also worth a quick call to the police - if your car keys are stolen, you should submit a police report so that they can look into the matter and catch the person responsible.
After retracing your steps, you must look around for strange places. Keys can end up in places that defy logic such as in the crease of a couch cushion or in a laundry pile. It's also worth contacting family members, as they could have a spare key that is hidden in a convenient area. If all else fails you should call a locksmith to come make you a new key. It may cost a lot but it will also protect your car and home from theft.
Call the Police
You're finally home after working all day, excited to put on your cozy sweats, order some pizza and watch your favorite show. Then you realize the keys to your car are missing. What should you do?
It's easy to panic when you first witness the situation, but it's essential to remain calm and think rationally. The first thing you need to do is call the police.
Your local police department may not be able to find your car keys, however filing a police report can provide a paper trail to aid in locating the thief. Insurance companies often require you to file a police complaint before they can reimburse you for stolen items.
Give police as much information as possible when you call. They will need to know the make and model of your vehicle, registration number and any distinct features. They may also review CCTV footage of the area or employ ANPR technology to track your car's movements.
Be sure to mention the value of anything in your vehicle when it was taken. Thieves are often opportunistic and seek out items that they can easily sell or use to pay for their next crime.
Telling the police that you carried your wallet when the theft took place is also a good thing. This can help prevent identity fraud in the event that thieves decide to make use of documents or financial information they find in the wallet or purse.
It is also advisable to contact your homeowner's or renters insurance company. They could cover the cost of replacing keys lost or things that were taken away by them. They'll also inform you of the steps they'll need to take to make your claim. For example, some homeowners might need to engage a locksmith to replace their locks, while others might need to have their cars towed to the dealer or repair shop.
Contact Your Insurance Company
You should notify the police immediately you notice that your car keys are missing. This will leave an electronic trail and make it much more difficult for thieves to smuggle your credit card information as well as other personal information. Insurance companies generally require you to report the theft.
Your insurance provider may pay the cost of replacing your key fobs if you have comprehensive auto insurance, but it is advisable to check with your provider prior to submitting an insurance claim. You will need to have your policy number available as well as the make and model of your car.
Depending on the deductible you have and the cost of your key fob, it might not be worth the hassle of submitting an insurance claim for lost keys to your car. The cost of replacing mechanical keys is lower than the deductible you pay on your car insurance and could be done at any shop that duplicates keys. However, a smart key fob needs to be programmed at the dealership or by the manufacturer of the vehicle, and could be costly, ranging from hundreds of dollars or more. Plus, if you make an insurance claim, it will likely be recorded on your records and raise your car insurance rates the next time you need to renew.
Some insurance policies, such as homeowners insurance, will cover your keys in the event that they are stolen car keys replacement car keys from house (Full Article). However it is more complicated and is dependent on the policy's terms and conditions. The best way to safeguard yourself against losing keys to your car is always keeping spare keys located in a secure area outside of your home, or at the office. This will provide you with peace of mind in case they are ever lost, and also save you from having to pay a lot of money to replace stolen car keys them. Don't forget to put your keys in the car. This can lead to trouble. It is also an excellent idea to change the locks on your workplace or at home particularly if you've recently experienced a problem with theft.
Call a locksmith
If you've tried to backtrack your steps and haven't found your car keys, you need to contact a locksmith. A reputable locksmith will be able to help you without damaging your property. They can also provide you with a spare on site so that you have one in the future.
It is best to contact the police as soon as you realize the keys are missing. This will prevent the thief from having the chance to take them. Notifying the police as soon as you can is also a good move. This will provide them with the details of what happened, which can be useful if you want to make an insurance claim.
If you call locksmiths to repair your lock, be sure you have the VIN number of your vehicle and the kind of keys it is using. This information will help them determine what type of key you require and let them know the amount of programming the new key will require. They will also need to verify that you are the owner of the vehicle in order to ensure that they aren't doing anything illegal.
Most people don't realize it until they've lost their keys to their car, however you can minimize the risk of losing them by keeping a my spare car key was stolen in your office or at home. This can be especially useful if you're working late, or if you need to leave your car in a parking lot for any reason. You can even get a locksmith to cut you an extra piece and store it in a safe location which is hard to reach, such as a drawer.
Most people will experience this at some time. By staying calm and taking the proper actions you can minimize the damage it causes to your property and life. If you can, avoid the urge to resort to more extreme or sneaky methods of getting into your house or car stolen keyless entry as they will only cause more trouble in the future. Remember, a locksmith is just a phone call only a phone call away!