How to Locate a Key Car Lost
It wasn’t long ago that losing or losing your car keys was an easy task to perform. Today, things can be much more expensive and complicated.
It’s crucial to report lost keys as soon as you can regardless of whether it’s an older key or a more modern fob. Here’s how. It will help prevent thieves from using keys to steal your car.
Retract your Steps
If you lose something of importance like keys or your wallet, it can be very stressful and can even cause panic. Fortunately, there are some ways to retrace your steps and find the item. You must remember where you saw the car last so that you can start your search. Then, think about what you did from there.
If you own a GPS device, you can also make use of it to determine the whereabouts of your key fob. This is only possible if your car has an electronic component and does not have an ordinary key.
Close your eyes and think about the day you had, and then try to remember the last time you were able to see the keys. This can help bring up clues to the location where they went missing.
Another way to trace your steps is to use a flashlight and search the area you think they might be. This is particularly helpful in the event that you wear dark clothing or are parked in a shaded spot. You may also ask the assistance of your friends and family members to help locate your keys. They can provide a new pair of eyes to spot things you missed.
If you’re having issues getting your coach steps to stay extended (even when the step switch is OFF) take a small bar magnet and attach it to the screen door sensor on the door frame. This will inform the system that the door sensor is closed and the steps will be retracted. This is also a good option when you want the steps to stay retracted when your coach is storage at the dealer.
Call the Dealership
It can be a hassle to lose your keys. You might have to spend time retracing steps and searching for keys in your office, home and many other places. Eventually, you have to accept the fact that the keys to your car are gone and you’ll need to seek help. This can be done either through an auto dealer or a locksmith. Depending on the situation and type of key one of these two options might be better than the other.
Generally speaking dealerships for cars are equipped to make replacement keys for the brands of vehicles they sell. They also have access to more information about the vehicle than a locksmith would, such as details about the way in which the vehicle is secured. This makes them the most suitable option for certain kinds of vehicles, especially if your keys have a transponder or other security features. It is important to keep in mind that a dealership is more expensive than a locksmith who is independent.
Certain vehicles have a specific key called a smart key, which has a chip inside of it that communicates with the car’s computer. This allows drivers to unlock and start their car without using a traditional key. It is recommended to call 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 will also have to pair the new chip with the car’s computer, which can take a couple of days.
It is a good idea to keep a spare smart key in your purse, since you may be able to enter the car using it in the event that you aren’t able to get into the dealership right away. Check with your insurance provider to determine if this kind of loss will be covered under your policy. If it is, they will provide you with a new car and may be able trace the location of it. They may even dispatch a tow truck to retrieve the vehicle and return it to you.
Contact Your Insurance Company
The loss of your car keys was not a big issue until recently. If you lost your key, you could have a spare on the keychain or in a small container attached to the car. Richard Reina is the training director at CARiD. He claims that cars are more advanced today and require more sophisticated keys, which are harder to lose and more costly to replace. You may have to visit a dealer or a locksmith based on the year, model and model of your vehicle.
Generally locksmiths are the cheaper option for most people, and they are able to make a new key for you within a few minutes. Some people prefer to contact their insurance provider to see if roadside assistance will cover the cost of a replacement key.
Unfortunately, most auto insurance policies do not provide coverage for stolen or lost keys to cars. It’s rare to find an add-on policy that covers stolen or lost my car keys keys to cars. Roadside assistance is another option. However, it generally only covers the cost if you lock the keys to your vehicle. It does not cover the cost to replace the key.
For electronic fobs, you’ll have go to a dealership to have a replacement key made. This process involves pairing an entirely new chip to the vehicle, so you’ll need to provide proof of ownership, like your registration number or title. This is an added expense that could potentially run you a couple hundred dollars or more, and may take longer than working with a local locksmith.
Certain homeowners insurance policies provide additional protection for keys to your home and garage door openers, but not all insurance companies have this feature in their policies. It is worth comparing rates with your insurer in case you have this coverage. Regardless of what you choose to do, it’s important to inform your insurance provider that the keys are lost so that they can review their records and notify you in case the vehicle is ever reported as stolen.
Contact the Police
It wasn’t that long ago that losing keys to your car or loosing them was not a big problem. You could go to an locksmith and have a new key cut right there. The technology in cars has advanced so much that keys can be costly to replace.
The first thing you should do is make a report to the police. This will assist them in tracking down the thief and also aid you to prove that your keys were stolen. You’ll need to provide some basic information, including the model and make of your car and your address and name. You may also need to provide proof of ownership, for example an V5C form with your name on it.
Find a spare, if you have one. Sometimes, they are kept in accessible places, such as the back pocket of a jacket or the purse you carry around when you leave home. You might want to ask around for anyone who has seen your spare, like your roommates or family members. Also, you should check public spaces like libraries and restaurants. You might find your key in these locations, which collect keys that people have discovered and returned.
If you have the money, you might also contact a specialist automotive lock. They can change the key’s programming without the original one, and even disable the older one to ensure that it can’t be used by someone else to steal your car. It is possible that they will need to take down part of the ignition system in order to accomplish this, but it will be worth it if your vehicle has been taken.
There’s no way to predict when your car keys lost keys will be lost, but it’s always best to plan for the worst. Use these tips to minimize your chance of being a victim. Also make sure to keep an extra key on hand at all times. You never know when a spare key could save your life. Emma is a blogger and car owner at CarsBlog contributed to this article.
