13 Things About Car Stolen Without Key You May Not Have Considered
13 Things About Car Stolen Without Key You May Not Have Considered
Blog Article
Car Stolen Without Key - What to Do
After his Toyota RAV4 was stolen and vandalized twice in the past year, a resident of the area began looking up on the internet. He found that thieves could duplicate the signal from key fobs and steal vehicles without touching them.
Crooks use relay amplifiers to collect the signal. They operate in pairs and can rob a car in as little as 60 seconds.
What happens if I misplace my keys?
Losing your keys is one of the most stressful things you could do. It can be a challenge to find them and could put your home or office in danger. It doesn't matter if accidentally drop your belongings into the sink, or lose them in a subway car. You must be aware of the best ways to do about them so that they don't end up in the wrong hands.
The first step to take when you lose your keys is to call the police and your insurance company. Many people are surprised to discover that their insurance covers the cost of a locksmith if they're lost or stolen. This should be done immediately since someone else could be able to use your keys to gain entry to your car or home If you don't take care.
Contacting a locksmith is the next step following calling your insurance agent and the police. A locksmith professional can open your lock quickly, efficiently and without causing damage to your property. This can save you money and time if you're in a hurry. The locksmith will have to utilize their tools to unlock the locks and then make an impression on the internal components. The impression will be sent to a different shop where a duplicate key can be made. This process is usually simple and will not cost you much more than $30 if you own more than one lock.
You may have to call your dealer or auto locksmith to re-program a smart key. This is because you will need to have proof of the ownership of the vehicle for the replacement of the key. In this instance you might need to have your license and vehicle identification number with you.
Give your spare key to someone in your family or a friend to allow you into the house should you lose it. You can also have your locksmith cut you a new set of keys and keep them safe, such as in the office or garage. This will help you avoid losing your keys in the near future and protect them from thieves who are more likely to search for keys in obvious locations such as under a planter or inside the mailbox.
What do you have to do?
It's crucial to act immediately if your vehicle is stolen and you don't have a key. Inform the police immediately and obtain an official copy of their report for your records. Inform your department of motor vehicles if you haven't done so yet. Your vehicle will be added to the database of stolen vehicles in the state, making it difficult for anyone else to register your vehicle as theirs.
Install a tracking device inside your vehicle if you can. These devices, such as AirTags from Apple will send an alert to your iPhone whenever they are near an Apple product (such as your car). This allows you to view the location of your car in real-time via the app on your phone. There are cheaper tracking systems from companies such as Ring, Blink, and Nest that might be worth a look.
A new set of keys is a different thing to consider. Depending on the car model you may have to have the chips re-sequenced or barrels re-keyed. This will prevent previous owners from accessing the vehicle. This can be costly check here and you may have to buy a second set of keys. You should also check your car insurance policy to see whether you have comprehensive coverage, which typically will cover more than collision and liability.
The best way to avoid a situation like this is to ensure that you are not leaving valuables in your vehicle, and to keep the spare key away from your home. Also making a mark of the last seven digits of your VIN on your headlights, windows, and mirrors will keep thieves from trying to alter the identity of your car. If you live in a crime-prone area, inquire with nearby businesses if they have surveillance cameras that might have captured the theft. If you're able to recover your stolen car, you should contact your local locksmith for advice on the best way to store your spare keys and lock up your vehicle.
How do you report a stolen car?
If you find that your car is missing, the first step is call the police department in your area to make a report. They'll inform you what forms you'll need to fill out as well as the processes you must follow, depending on the laws in your region. You'll be given an incident number that you can provide to your insurance company for claims.
When you call the police, be sure to have all the information about your vehicle on hand including the VIN and license plate, as well as the description of the vehicle, and any receipts from service or upgrades. You might be asked to show your copyright or auto insurance card to prove you are the registered owner. Many insurance companies will let you view the policy's details online if you don't have them handy.
You'll want to make sure that the police have reported your vehicle stolen, since it increases the chance of it being found. Also, reporting it right away allows the police to collect any evidence that could be relevant (such as security footage or witness statements) sooner rather than later.
Another benefit of reporting the theft immediately is that it stops the thief from fraudulously transferring ownership or registering your vehicle under their name. Contact the department of motor vehicle in your state and provide proof of your identity and residence.
If your car is recovered and damaged the comprehensive coverage under your auto policy should cover the damage - less the deductible. This is why it's crucial to report the theft to your insurance company as soon as you can.
It is also important to notify the lender if you've financed or borrowed your vehicle. They are considered lienholders, and have an investment in the vehicle, which is the reason they must be notified of any losses. Legal action or financial penalties may be taken if you fail to notify them.
How do you get your car back?
When a car is stolen without a key, the most important thing is to report it to the police as soon as you can. This will help them find the vehicle and also catch the culprits. The information you provide on your vehicle's the national and state databases will make it more difficult for the thieves to sell it.
After you've filed a police report, it's a good idea to let your insurance company know as well. If you have comprehensive coverage they'll be able file an insurance claim on your behalf to get compensated for the loss of the vehicle or cover any damages that might have occurred while it was in a theft victim's possession.
In addition, you must not forget to inform your leasing company or lender know that the car was stolen. This will allow them to connect with your insurance company and determine the appropriate details if necessary and include whether or not they'll be able to revoke any car payments or even take possession of it if it's not returned.
If you have a smart key, or a newer model that has an electronic key fob then your best bet is to visit the dealership for the specific model of your car and get it replaced electronically. It will cost you a few hundred dollars but will be less expensive than replacing the ignition and locks for an ordinary key.
You'll need to take older models with standard keys to an auto locksmith, and have both the keys and the barrels (the part that goes into the lock) replaced. It's expensive however you'll be certain that anyone who finds your old keys will not be able to rob your vehicle.
It's also a good idea to keep the interior of your car free of valuable items that could be a target for thieves. If you have a satellite nav or mobile phone in your car, think about keeping them in your boot or in a hidden compartment under the floor mats. It is also recommended to avoid putting any valuables in the glove compartment, since this can be appealing to thieves to break into.