Car Stolen Without Key - What to Do
After his Toyota RAV4 was stolen and vandalized twice during the past year, a resident of the area began researching online. He found a method for thieves to steal the signal from key fobs to steal cars without even touching them.
Crooks use relay amplifiers to capture the signal. They operate in pairs and are able to steal the car in as short as 60 minutes.
What happens if I lose my keys?
The loss of keys is one of the most frustrating things you can do. It can be a challenge to find them and could put your home or office in danger. Whether you accidentally drop them into the sink or lose them on the subway train, it's crucial to know what to do in the event of an accident to ensure your property isn't in the dangerous hands of.
If you lose your keys first thing to do is contact your insurance company and police. Many people are amazed that their insurance covers the cost of a lockout if their keys are stolen or lost. This should be taken care of as soon as you can because someone else could use your keys to gain entry to your home or car if it's not done.
Contacting a locksmith is the next step after calling your insurance agent and the police. A professional locksmith can unlock your lock quickly, efficiently and without causing damage to your property. This will help you save time and money, particularly when you're in a hurry. The locksmith may need to employ his tools to unlock the lock and take impressions of the internal components. The impression will be sent to a different shop where a duplicate key will be made. This is a quick procedure that will cost less than $30 for a set of locks.
If you have a Smart key, you may need to contact your dealer or an auto locksmith to have it reset. You will require proof of ownership to replace the car key. In this case, you may require a license and your vehicle identification number along with you.
If you have a spare key, offer it to a family member so that they will allow you access if they lose yours. You can also have a locksmith cut you new keys which you can keep in a secure location such as your garage or office. This will stop you from losing your keys and protect them from thieves who are more likely not to search for keys under a planter, inside an empty mailbox, or in a mailbox.
What can you do?
It's important to take action quickly if your car is stolen and you don't have keys. Notify the police as soon as you can, and obtain the police report for your records. Notify your department of motor vehicles if you haven’t already. They'll add your car to the state's database of stolen cars making it more difficult for anyone else to claim the vehicle as their own.
Install a tracking device in your vehicle if you are able to. These devices, like AirTags from Apple send an alert to your iPhone whenever they're close to an Apple product (such as your car). This lets you view the location of your car in real time via your phone app. You might also look into tracking systems that are more affordable from companies such as Ring, Blink, or Nest.
A new set of keys is an additional thing to consider. Based on the make of your car, you may need to have the chips re-sequenced, or the barrels re-keyed. This will keep previous owners out of the vehicle. This can be costly, and could require you to buy a second set keys to be used as backup. You should also check your car insurance policy to see whether you have comprehensive coverage, which usually includes more than collision and liability.
The best way to prevent a situation such as this is to make sure you don't leave valuables in your car, and to keep your spare key far away from your house. You can also deter thieves by writing the last seven digits on your headlights, windows, and mirrors. If you live in an area with high crime rates It is worth asking businesses near where your car was stolen to find out whether they have security cameras that may have captured the theft on camera. If you're able to locate your vehicle that was stolen then you should call your local locksmith for assistance on how to store your spare keys and lock up your vehicle.
How do you report an auto that has been taken?
When you realize your car has been stolen, the first thing you need to do is contact your local police department to make a report. You'll learn what forms and procedures you have to follow, based on local laws. You'll be given an incident number that you can give to your insurance company in order to file a claim.
If you contact 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 car and any receipts from upgrades or service. You may also have to prove you're the owner of the vehicle by providing your copyright or insurance card. If you don't have these documents, many companies allow you to access your policy details online and can provide this information for you.
You should ensure that the police have reported that your car has been stolen, since it increases the likelihood of it being reclaimed. Reporting it immediately allows police to gather potential evidence (such security camera or witness statement) sooner rather than later.
Reporting the theft immediately can also help prevent the thief from fraudulently transfer ownership of your vehicle to another person or registration of the vehicle under their name. You can do this by contacting the department of motor vehicles in your state and providing evidence of your identity and where you live.
If your vehicle is found and damaged, the comprehensive coverage of your auto policy should be able to cover the damage - less the deductible. This is why it's important to inform your insurance company as soon as possible.
If you have leased or financed your vehicle, be sure to inform the lender of the theft, too. They are considered lienholders and have a financial interest in the vehicle, which is the reason they should be informed of any losses. Financial penalties or legal action could be imposed when you fail to notify them.
How do I get my car back?
If a car is taken without a key, the most important thing is to report it to police as soon as it is possible. This will help them track down the vehicle and identify the culprits. The information about your vehicle in state and national databases makes it difficult for thieves to make a deal on the vehicle.
It's a good idea after you've filed the police report, to inform your insurance company. If you have insurance that is comprehensive you can file an insurance claim to pay for any damages, or compensation for the loss that occurred when the vehicle was in the thief’s possession.
It is also necessary to inform your leasing or lender that the vehicle was car got stolen with keys in it stolen. This will enable them to connect with your insurance company and determine the appropriate details if necessary including whether they'll be able to revoke any of the payments due on the vehicle or take steps to take it back if it's not returned.
If you own an electronic key fob, or a smart key that is a more recent model, you should bring your vehicle to a dealership of the brand you're using and get your key replaced electronically. It could cost a few hundred dollars but is less expensive than replacing the ignition and locks with the standard key.
For older models with a standard key, you'll need to visit an auto locksmith and get both the keys and barrels (the part that is inserted into the lock) changed. It's expensive, but you'll be sure that anyone who discovers your old keys will not be able use them to steal your vehicle.
Keep your car's interior clean and free of valuable objects that thieves might be looking to steal. If you own a sat nav or mobile phone in your car, you should consider keeping them in your boot or in a hidden compartment under the floor mats. Avoid putting valuables into the glove box since it is more difficult for thieves to open.