10 Things Everybody Has To Say About Car Keys Stolen
Wiki Article
Car Keys Stolen Without a Spare
Car keys are lost is a nightmare that can ruin your entire day. It happens to the most seasoned of us and is generally easily avoided.
If you have roadside assistance, they can send locksmiths to make a duplicate key. You will have to pay for this service, but it's much less expensive than what an auto dealer would be.
Check Your Locks
It's easy to lose your keys, particularly if you throw them down on the seat while you're running an errand or while you're in a hurry. If you don't have a spare key to replace them, finding them and getting back on the road can be difficult. Fortunately, you can make your car more secure and less vulnerable to theft by following the right steps.
First, check your locks. It may seem obvious but it's a bit surprising how many people don't check their locks. Make sure to check every pocket, bag, or wherever else you may have placed your keys for a moment to grab something. You should also check places you would not normally check for, like the floor or under the car seat.
If you've conducted an exhaustive search but aren't able to locate your keys you may have to consider that they were stolen. Check for signs of tampering, like tiny holes in the lock's cylinder or screw marks around the keyhole. Get advice from a locksmith when you are concerned about the lock you have.
One of the most common causes for theft in modern vehicles is not locking your vehicle! Thieves use an instrument that plugs into the vehicle's onboard diagnostic port (OBD) to download data and create a brand new key that is compatible with your vehicle. The thieves then flee with the car.
You can prevent this from happening by putting your keys in the same spot every time you return home. It's important to establish the habit of doing this because it will be more difficult to forget where you put your keys. For instance, if you always place them in a bowl placed on the entry table or on a hanger by the door, it will be much more difficult to leave them behind if you're rushing. You can also invest in a car tracker which can help you locate your vehicle if it is stolen, and can provide important evidence in the case of a felony.
Retract Your Steps
Sometimes, you can lose something without even realizing it. You may have been running an urgent errand when you left your keys in the car, or you might have left them in the restaurant after returning home from work. Whatever the reason the first thing you should do is retrace your steps. When you're in a state it might seem impossible. Try to remember when you last saw the item you lost and look around for any places you think they might be.
Contact Your Insurance Company
The loss of car keys is always a source of frustration however, you don't have to be in a panic. It's not the end of the world and there are a few things you can do to get your car back in the blink of an eye.
The first step is to contact an MLA approved auto locksmith - they can assist you with any kind of vehicle here whether it's a car, van or motorcycle. Make sure you have your address and postal code so they can get to you quickly.
Review your policy to determine whether it has key cover. Often, this is available as an upgrade or an add-on to your existing policy. If you have key coverage, you could be eligible to replace your keys that were stolen. It is worth checking whether this could affect your no-claims discount too.
If you don't have an extra key, you can contact your local locksmith and asking them to design you a brand new one. But, this can be expensive and you will likely have to take your car to a dealership and request the new key from the manufacturer. This can be a long process, depending on the model and brand of your car.
Another option is to install a bluetooth tracker on your keychain. They emit a signal which can be picked up by your smartphone. They even have an app that can assist you in finding your keys that have gone missing! If you're worried that you'll lose your keys in the future, this is a great option to think about.
It is not possible to stop car keys from being stolen, however some simple precautions can be helpful. If you have an extra key, put it in a secure location in order to be able to access it should you lose yours. Also, ensure that you don't store your keys in a visible location like the mailbox or planter as thieves are likely to look first. You can also try keeping an extra key with a trusted friend or family member in case you should lose yours.
Contact a locksmith
Nobody knows when they'll lose their car keys or worse, have them taken. It could happen by accident while running a quick errand or when you come home and put keys in the driveway. It's stressful and scary especially when you don't have an extra. However, there are actions you can take to avoid it repeating itself and save yourself a lot of stress in the future.
Follow your steps. This will allow you to locate your keys. Check places you would not normally look for, like your shoes or the pockets of your clothes you wore when you left the home. Call a locksmith if you cannot find your keys.
A professional locksmith will be able to unlock the locks and create a duplicate key for you. You'll need to provide some information including the VIN number of your vehicle as well as evidence that you are the owner. This information is required to match your new keys with the original.
In addition, if your keys are broken or bent inside the lock, a locksmith will be in a position to remove keys without causing damage to the lock. You should never try to remove a broken key yourself because you could damage it even more.
A Bluetooth key tracker is an alternative option. It's a small device you can connect to your keys and link with an app on your smartphone. Once connected, the app shows you where your keys can be found so that you can locate them.
Cars are now more advanced than ever before and as has the technology that comes with them. This means that losing your car keys can be a bigger issue than it was previously. Contact a local NYC Locksmith right away if you're in a situation where your car keys have been stolen or lost and you don't have a spare set.