How to Locate a Key Car Lost
It wasn't so long ago that losing or losing your car keys was an easy task to perform. Now, things can be much more complicated and costly.
It's important to report a lost key immediately regardless of whether it's an older key or a more modern fob. Here's how. It will stop thieves from using keys to steal your vehicle.
Retract Your Steps
When you lose something important, like your keys or your wallet, it can be very stressful and even panic-inducing. There are several ways to locate the item and retrace your footsteps. The first thing you need to remember is where you last visited the key car and where to begin your search. Then, think about where you went after that.
You can also track your key fob with the GPS device. This only works if have an electronic key, and not a traditional key.
Close your eyes and think about the day you had, and then try to remember the last time that you were able to see the keys. This can help to bring up clues to where you lost them.
A flashlight is a great method of locating lost belongings. Make use of it to search the area you think they might be located in. This is particularly helpful when your clothes are dark or you are parked in a shaded location. You can also ask your friends and family members to help locate your keys. They will be able to provide a fresh set of eyes and may be able to see things you've not noticed.
If you're having issues with your coach's steps remaining extended (even when the step switch is turned off) then you should purchase a small bar magnet and connect it to the screen door sensor on the door frame. This will tell the system that the door is shut and will keep the steps in a retracted position. This solution is also useful if you wish to keep the steps retracted when your coach is being stored at an agent.
Contact the Dealership
If you've lost your keys it's a frustrating experience. You may have to spend time retracing steps and searching for them in your home, office and other places. You'll need to accept that your car keys are missing, and you'll need to contact someone for assistance. This can be done through a dealership or a locksmith. Depending on the situation and type of key one of these two choices may be superior to the other.
In general, dealerships are able to create replacement keys for the cars they sell. They have more information on the vehicle than a locksmith, including details about the security of the vehicle. This makes them the ideal choice for certain kinds of vehicles particularly if your keys include a transponder or other security features. It is important to keep in mind that a dealership is more expensive than an independent locksmith.
Some cars come with an electronic smart key with a chip in it. The chip is directly connected with the computer in the car. This enables drivers to unlock and start their car without the use of the traditional key. It is recommended to contact the dealership when you lose the key type. Before they can make a new key, they'll require proof of ownership and your identity to verify. The dealer must also pair the new chip to the car's computer. This could take several days.
A good idea is to keep an extra smart key in your pocket because you may be able to enter the car using it if you can't get into the dealership right away. Ask your insurance company whether this kind of loss will be covered under your policy. If so, they can provide you with a new car and may be able trace the location of it. They can send a tow-truck for your vehicle to be recovered and return it.
Contact Your Insurance Company
The loss of your keys to your car was not a huge issue until recently. You might have kept a spare key attached to your car in a tiny box or on your keychain and if you lost the one you always had, you just went and got another. Richard Reina is the training director at CARiD. He claims that modern cars nowadays and require more sophisticated keys, which are more difficult to lose and more expensive to replace. Based on the make and model of your vehicle you might need go to a dealership or a locksmith to make the new key.
Locksmiths are usually the most affordable alternative. They can make a replacement key in just a few minutes. Some people choose to call their insurance company to find out whether roadside assistance is covered by the cost of a replacement key.
Unfortunately, the majority of auto insurance policies do not cover lost or stolen keys to cars. It's rare to find an additional policy that covers stolen or lost car keys. Roadside assistance is another option, but it typically only covers costs for the event that you lock your keys in your car and doesn't include the cost of replacing the key.
For electronic fobs, you'll have to visit a dealer to have a new key made. This process involves affixing an entirely new chip to the vehicle, and you'll need to show proof of ownership, such as your car registration or title. This is an added expense which could cost you a few hundred dollars or more, and it may take longer than working with a local locksmith.
replacing a lost car key provide coverage for garage door openers and dwelling keys, but only a few insurance companies offer this type of coverage. It is worth comparing rates with your insurance provider if you have this coverage. Regardless of what you choose to do, it's crucial to inform your insurance company that the keys are lost, so that they can check their records and notify you in the event that the vehicle is ever reported stolen.
Contact the Police
It wasn't long ago that losing your car keys or losing keys was not a major problem. A locksmith could cut a new key on the spot. Now, cars are much more technologically advanced and keys can be expensive to replace.
You should first make a police report. This will help them track down the thief and also aid you to prove that your keys were stolen. You'll have to provide basic information, such as the model and make of your vehicle, as well as your name and address. You may be required to provide proof of ownership, for example a V5C form with your name on it.
If you have a spare, try to locate it. Sometimes, they are stored in easy-to-access places, such as the back pocket of a jacket or the purse you carry to leave the house. It is possible to ask about anyone who has seen your spare, like your roommates or family members. Also, make sure to check public spaces like libraries and restaurants. You may find your keys in these places, which are a repository of keys that people have found and returned.
You might also want to consult a professional auto locksmith, if you can afford it. They can change the key's programming without the original, and even disable the older key so that it can't be used by someone else to steal your vehicle. It is possible that they will need to take down part of the ignition system to accomplish this but it's worth it if the car was taken.
There's no way to predict when your car keys will be lost, but it's always best to plan for the worst. Use these tips to lower your chance of becoming a victim. Also, keep a spare car key in your car at all times. You never know when a spare key might save your life. Emma, blogger and owner of a car at CarsBlog, contributed this article.