What Is The Very First Thing You Need to Do if Your Car Keys Are Stolen?
In the case of stolen car keys, you will have to contact the police and file a report for your stolen car keys. Police should handle the investigation part of it. Meanwhile, you will have to reach out to your car’s dealer, a locksmith, or a mechanic for replacement car keys or auto locks.
We’ll get into all the specifics of what to do in the case of stolen car keys in the later sections, but if there’s one way you should handle stolen car keys -it’s calmly.
Why Stolen Car Keys Are a Big Deal?
The major worry when your car keys are stolen is that the thief will be able to gain access and steal your car. In order to prevent that, it’s key (no pun intended) that you notify the police once you are sure that your car keys were stolen.
If your car has been stolen, they can start looking for your vehicle and the car theft immediately. However, if you still have your car, you can have it moved to the dealership for new car keys or vehicle locks. You may keep all sorts of important information in your car, including vehicle insurance and car registration.
Your sensitive information is on these documents, and if they fall into the wrong hands, you can be the victim of identity theft, on top of having to handle your stolen car.
What Should You Do In A Case Of Stolen Car Keys?
There are two types of car keys and ignitions on the auto market that will determine what path you take in the event your auto key is stolen. There are electronic key fobs, or smart key, and standard turn-key ignitions.
Electronic key fobs are becoming more common, while a good number of auto models today still use the old-fashioned turn-key.
Here’s what to do when either of these car keys is stolen:
- Electronic key fob - If your electronic car key, or smart key, is stolen, then this is an easy fix. Instead of changing car locks or ignition, the auto dealership can reprogram your car’s locks and keys electronically. This can cost a couple of hundred dollars but still is the cheapest way to get around stolen car keys.
- Standard turn-key - If your car keys are stolen, you will have to get the vehicle locks changed and even the car ignition as well. Getting your vehicle locks and car ignition changed can be a pricey and long process, but at least your car wasn’t stolen by a vehicle theft or whoever took your keys.
As you can see from both of these cases, the object isn’t to get your keys back but to make the stolen car keys useless.
What if Your Home Keys Were Stolen Along With Your Car Keys?
Home keys seem to have a mainstream place on the ring of your car keys. When your home keys are stolen with car keys, you will have to reach out to a couple of people, depending on your living situation.
If you are a renter, then you will have to contact your landlord for extra keys.
Homeowners’ course of action depends on how expensive the locks on their houses are. If the locks are standard, then they can be easily changed.
However, more heavy-duty locks can be expensive to replace, so instead, the keys are changed, and the locks are slightly retooled. These can all be done by your local locksmith.
Check out with your home insurance company if these kinds of services are included in your insurance policy, and if filing a home insurance claim would be worth it in this case before anything else. It can save you some money!
What Else Should You Keep in Mind When Your Keys Are Stolen?
In addition to calling the police, you should also pay attention to suspicious people around your car. There is a chance the car thief knew what your car looked like when they stole your keys.
If you end up finding your vehicle keys, remember to inform the police so as not to waste law enforcement resources.
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