The Expert Guide To Car Keys Stolen From House And Car Stolen
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Car Keys Stolen From House and Car Stolen
If your car keys are stolen, and your car is also taken you must take the necessary steps to protect your family.
The first step is to call the police. This will assist you to not only track down the thieves, but will also provide you with a paper trail should you need to file an insurance claim.
1. Call the Police
It can be a harrowing experience to lose your car keys. However, if you adhere to the guidelines in this article you'll be able to lower the risk of theft and recover your keys quickly.
Contact the police. Notifying the police about lost keys can help authorities to investigate and locate the vehicle that has gone missing. You must provide all the details you can about your keys and the location where you think they were stolen. This will help them find your keys and catch the thief.
When reporting the theft of keys to your car, you must include the make, model and registration number. This will permit the police to search CCTV footage of your vehicle and track its movements. This will also deter someone else from using your vehicle and will protect you against identity theft. Additionally, a lot of insurance companies require you to submit a police report if your keys to your car are stolen.
Before calling the police, look around your house to look for the keys. Many keys are hidden in places that are easy to access, such as under couch pillows or inside a pile of mail. You can ask family and acquaintances if they've ever seen the keys. They might have been left behind.
Contact the dealership if have an extra key and ask them to disable it. This will prevent a criminal from accessing your vehicle's features and immobilizer. If you have a newer vehicle, the dealership will be able to disable your spare key by entering an code on the door's driver's lock. This will also delete any keys that are in use, rendering them useless to thieves who stole your keys.
2. Change your locks
Change your locks immediately after you realize that your car keys have been taken. This will make it much difficult for thieves to gain access to your vehicle in the future, and will also stop them from stealing any other items that you have stored inside of your vehicle.
It is also recommended that you have your auto locksmith rekey your ignition if you had an extra key for your vehicle. If the keys that were stolen were not the only set that was available to the thief, they may have been able to create copies of your spare keys and use them to gain access into your car in the future. Rekeying your ignition will stop other keys from functioning to start your vehicle.
Depending on the situation the auto insurance company may pay for the replacement of your keys and locks in the event of theft. It is worthwhile contacting your insurance provider to determine whether this is the case for you, since it can save you money in the long term.
A lot of modern cars come with key fobs that you can hack into. The fobs have an embedded microchip that allows them to open your vehicle. It is therefore important to keep them secure and safe when not being used. Installing a safe in your house will protect your valuables. There are numerous options to fit any budget.
It can be a pain and expensive to change your locks, but the security that comes from knowing that your home, car and other valuables are secured against theft is well worth it. You should also stay close to your vehicle and keep an eye out for anyone who looks suspicious.
3. Rekey Your Ignition
It is crucial check here to contact an expert locksmith to rekey your ignition if your car keys have been lost or stolen. This will stop anyone from creating duplicate keys to gain access to your car again. It is also a good idea do this if you think that your car might be at risk of being stolen in the near future.
If you reach for your purse or pocket and can't find your keys, the first thought that comes to your mind is panic. Take a deep breath, and then count to five. Once you've calmed yourself down, go back to the steps you've taken and search for your keys. Check your wallet, purse or the back of your chair and the floor of your car.
When you insert your car key into the ignition, it sends a message to the chip in the key that matches the computer in the vehicle. This unlocks the door and let you start the vehicle. If someone else has a copy of your key, they'll be capable of using it to unlock the car however it won't match and will not start the engine.
If your car has an electronic transponder, thieves will require a specific tool to obtain the code to start it. This makes it much harder for thieves to take your car and also stops your vehicle from being tampered with. It's a great investment that will ensure that you and your family are safe. It's not as costly as you'd expect to change the key on your ignition.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
It is recommended to contact your insurance company in case your keys to your vehicle were stolen from your home. Most insurance companies will request for an official police report. This is because thieves will often steal your wallet and copy a key before returning to your house to look for your car. Having a police report on file can help your insurance company track the perpetrator quicker.
In some cases your insurance policy may cover the cost of replacing your lost keys. However, this is contingent on the policy you have and the deductible. Most providers do not provide replacement keys in their standard policies. However you can obtain this protection if you purchase an add-on policy or comprehensive insurance.
Your insurance company for your car may also be able help you with other issues related to losing your key. They could be able to cover any damage that is caused through breaking into your vehicle to get the key. They could also be able to pay any locksmith charges you pay for changing your locks or rekeying your ignition.
If you're using an Android phone there are a variety of apps that will help you locate your keys. Many apps, like Tile and AirTag can be attached to your keys and use GPS technology to locate them. This only works if your keys within reach of your smartphone. If your car is old, you can call your dealer to request that the locks be changed. They can disable your old key, ensuring that it cannot be used again to start your car. You can do this yourself at your home, or take your car to the dealership. Dealers can usually reprogram your key for less than a locksmith charges.
5. Get a New Key Set
If you have a standard car key, locksmiths can change it right on the on the spot. They can alter the locks so that the old key won't work anymore which can help discourage thieves from pursuing your car. You'll have to take your key fob to the dealer to be reprogrammed if it's a brand new car. This could require you to pay for tow trucks and labor, based on the model and brand of your car.
Replacing keys can cost you several hundred dollars. You can save money by having a spare key on your desk. You can do this by putting your keys in the same spot every time you leave. For example a bowl or hook on the counter. It will become a routine and you won't forget to pick it up when you go out the door.
You can also ensure that you don't lose your key by storing it in a safe place, such as in a pocket in your jacket or bag. Another way to prevent thieves from stealing your car is to put on a key tag with your address and the place of employment. This makes it difficult for them to find you in the White Pages or figure out where you live.
Getting your car keys stolen is a stressful experience. It is possible to minimize the damage by handling the situation calmly and follow the steps above. You may be able to have your car keys replaced for free if you have personal property insurance under your homeowners or renters policy.