How to Locate a Key Car Lost
It wasn't so long ago that losing keys to your car was a simple thing to do. Today, things can become much more complicated and expensive.
Whether it's a traditional key or an advanced car key fob, it's crucial to report the loss as soon as you can. Here's how. It will help prevent someone from using the keys to steal your car.
Retract Your Steps
It can be stressful and cause panic when you lose things that are important, like keys. There are several options to locate the item and retrace your footsteps. You must remember where you saw the car in the last time so that you can begin your search. Then think about the next steps you took from there.
If you have a GPS device, you can also make use of it to track the whereabouts of your key fob. This is only applicable if you have an electronic key, and not a traditional one.
Close your eyes and think about the day you had trying to remember the last time you saw the keys. car lost key replacement will help you find important clues as to where they are.
A flashlight is a great way to find your lost belongings. Use it to look around the area you think they might be located in. This is particularly useful when your clothes are dark or you're parked in a shaded location. You can also ask your friends and family members to help locate your keys. They can give you a fresh set of eyes that may spot things you missed.
If you're having issues getting your coach steps to stay extended (even when the step switch is turned off) take a small bar magnet and attach it to the sensor for the screen door on the door frame. This will tell the system that the door is shut and keep the steps in a retracted position. This is also a good option if you wish to keep the steps retracted even when your coach is being stored at the dealer.
Contact the Dealership
If you've lost your keys, it's a frustrating experience. You could spend hours retracing your steps and searching for them in your office, house or other places you may have lost keys. You'll have to accept that your car keys are missing and that you'll have to call someone to assist you. This can be done either through either a locksmith or a dealership. Based on your particular situation and the kind of key you have, one of these options may be better than the other.
Generally speaking dealerships have the capacity to design replacement keys for the brands of vehicles that they sell. They have more information about the vehicle than a locksmith with regards to the vehicle's security. This can make them the best option for certain kinds of vehicles particularly if your keys include a transponder or other security features. It is essential to keep in mind that a dealership is more expensive than an independent locksmith.
Certain cars have a special smart key that has a chip inside. This chip communicates directly with the computer inside the car. This allows drivers to open and start the car without a traditional key. It is best to contact the dealer in the event that you lose this key type. They'll require proof of your identity and provide proof of ownership before they are able to produce the new key. The dealer will also need to connect the new chip with the car's system, which could take a few days.
It's a good idea keep an extra smart-key in your pocket. You might be able utilize it to access your vehicle even when you're not able to make it to the dealership right away. Another alternative is to inquire with your insurance company if this type of loss is covered by your policy. If they are, they can offer you a brand new car and may be able trace the location of it. They may even dispatch a tow truck to bring the vehicle back and return it to you.
Contact Your Insurance Company
The loss of keys to your car was not a major problem until recently. You may have kept a spare connected to your car in a little box or kept it on your keychain, and when you lost the one you always had, you simply went and got another. However, today's automobiles are more advanced and require more sophisticated keys that are easier to lose and much more costly to replace, says Richard Reina, training director at CARiD. Depending on the make, model and year of your car you may need go to a dealer or a locksmith to make the new key.
A locksmith will usually be the cheapest alternative. They can make keys replacements within a matter of minutes. Some people, however, prefer to contact their vehicle insurance company and see if they have roadside assistance that can cover the cost of obtaining the new key.
The majority of standard automobile insurance policies do not cover keys stolen or lost. Although some policies may include add-on coverage that does but it's rare. Roadside assistance is another option, but it usually only covers costs for if you lock your keys inside your vehicle and doesn't cover the cost of replacing the key itself.
You'll need to visit the dealer to get the replacement key for electronic fobs. This requires connecting a chip to the car, so you'll need to provide proof ownership for example, your registration or title. This is a cost that could potentially run you a couple hundred dollars or more, and it may take longer than working with a locksmith in your neighborhood.
Certain homeowners insurance policies provide additional coverage for keys to the house and garage door openers however, not all car insurance companies have this feature in their policies. It's worthwhile to compare rates with your insurance provider if you have this coverage. It is essential to inform your insurance company that you have lost the keys to ensure they are in their records. They will then notify you if the car is reported stolen.
Contact the Police
It wasn't that long ago that losing keys to your car or loosing them was not a huge problem. You could go to a locksmith and get a new key cut right there. The technology in cars has advanced so much that keys can be costly to replace.
It is recommended to first file a police report. This will help them locate the culprit and aid you to prove that you keys were stolen. You'll need to provide some basic information, including the make and model of your car and your name and address. You may also be required to prove that you own the vehicle like the V5C form with your name on it.
Find a spare if you have one. Sometimes these are stored in places that are easy to access like a jacket's back pocket or the purse you carry when you leave home. You might ask around to find who has seen it, for instance your roommates or family members. Also, you should check public areas like libraries and restaurants. You may find your keys in these places, as they collect keys that people have discovered and returned.
You may also wish to contact a specialist automotive locksmith if you can afford it. They can usually reprogram keys without the original key and even disable the old key so that nobody else has the ability to steal your vehicle. It is possible that they will need to take down part of the ignition system to do this but it's worth it if your car has been taken.
It's impossible to predict when your car keys might be lost. However, it's better to prepare for the most likely. Follow these tips to reduce your chances of being a victim. Also, be sure to keep a spare key handy at all times. You never know when a spare key could save your life. Emma is a blogger and car owner at CarsBlog wrote this article.