Stolen Car Keys: Tips For What To Do Next

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 689,527 vehicles were reported stolen in the United States in 2014. If you've ever been the victim of a car theft, you know that your first step should be to contact the authorities and file a report. However, what should you do if your car is still in the driveway, but your keys have been stolen? Here are a few tips for anyone who has had their car keys stolen:

Get Your Car to a Secure Location

If your car isn't already at home, try to get it there straight away. Hiring a towing company to get your vehicle home is your best option. Once you're home, place the vehicle inside a locked garage. If you don't have a garage, ask a friend or family member if you can store your vehicle in their garage. Storing your vehicle in a secure lot or behind a secure fence are two other options.

Whatever you choose, make sure your motor vehicle isn't vulnerable. Remember, all the thief would need to do to steal your car is simply use the keys they have already snatched.

Contact the Police

Once your vehicle is secure, it is time to contact the police. Fill out a police report and provide as many details as you can. This includes the make and model of your car and the license plate. Also, provide them with details about where your car was parked when the keys were stolen. For example, if you were at a shopping mall and your keys were stolen from your purse, tell the police where you parked the car and when you noticed that your keys were missing.

Finally, provide the police with any possible suspects. If you believe there is a person in your life who may have stolen your car keys, don't be afraid to speak up. Remember, the safety of your personal property is very important, and you should never be afraid to protect your belongings.

Contact Your Insurance Provider

Now that you've contacted the police, go ahead and call your insurance provider. Depending on your policy, your insurance provider may cover the cost of your replacement keys, locks, and ignition. If your house keys were stolen along with your car keys, it is also important to contact your home insurance provider.

If your house keys were stolen, immediately call a locksmith to have the locks on your home and garage replaced as soon as possible. Otherwise, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to a potentially devastating break-in.

How Do I Get a New Set of Keys?

The last step you will need to take is having the keys replaced. If your car is a newer model and features a remote keyless entry, all you will need to do is visit your local dealership and have a new key programmed for you. Once again, in some cases your insurance provider may cover this cost. It is vital to contact your insurance provider before heading to your local dealership to inquire if the cost is covered by your policy.

If you have an older model vehicle with keys, you will need to have new locks and a new ignition installed. The cost of this will depend on the make, model and age of your vehicle. However, no matter what the cost, it is vital that you not take a chance of your vehicle being stolen by the individual who snatched your keys. For help getting your car keys replaced, contact a company like Top Security Locksmiths.

From getting your vehicle to a secure spot to contacting your insurance provider and securing a new set of keys, if your car keys are ever stolen, there are several important steps you need to take to protect yourself and your property. 


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