Car Stolen Without Key - What to Do

A local resident had his Toyota RAV4 stolen and vandalized not just twice, but three times last year, he started looking into the crime on the internet. He stumbled upon a way for thieves to steal the signal from key fobs to steal cars without touching them.

Crooks use relay amplifiers to capture the signal. They operate in pairs and can rob the car in as short as 60 seconds.

What happens if you misplace your keys?

The loss of keys is one of the most frustrating things you can do. It can make it difficult to move around and could also put the security of your home or office at risk. If you accidentally drop them into the sink or slip them on a subway train, it's important to be aware of what you should do in the event of an accident to ensure your property isn't in the dangerous hands of.

The first thing you should do in the event that you lose your keys is to contact the police and your insurance company. Many people are shocked to discover that their insurance will cover the cost of a locksmith in the event that they are stolen or lost. It's important to have this done as soon as possible because if you don't, someone else could be using your keys to gain access to your home or vehicle.

Contacting a locksmith is the next step after calling your insurance agent and the police. A locksmith professional can open your lock quickly, easily and without damaging your property. This will save your time and money when you are in need of help in. The locksmith may have to make use of his tools to open the lock and make an impression of the internal components. The lock is then transported to a second store where a duplicate can be made. This process is usually quick and won't cost you much more than $30 if you have more than one lock.

If you own a smart key, you may need to call your dealer or an auto locksmith to get it reset. You will require proof of ownership to get a replacement for the car key. In this instance you may require a license and vehicle identification number on hand.

Give your spare key to someone in your family or a friend so they can let you in the house If you lose it. You could also have your locksmith cut you new keys and keep them in a place that is safe, such as the garage or office. This will prevent you from losing your keys in the near future and protect them from thieves who tend to look for keys in obvious spots like under a planter or in the mailbox.

What can you do?

It's important to take action quickly if your car is stolen and you don't have the key. Notify the police as soon as possible, and get an official copy of the police report to keep. Inform your department of motor vehicles if you haven’t already done so. Your vehicle will be added to the database of stolen vehicles in the state, making it difficult for anyone to register your vehicle as theirs.

If you are able, install a tracking device installed in your car. These devices, like AirTags from Apple will send signals to your iPhone whenever they are near an Apple product (such as your car). This lets you see the location of your vehicle in real-time via your phone app. There are also more affordable tracking systems offered by companies like Ring, Blink, and Nest that are worth a look.

Another thing to consider is purchasing new keys. Depending on your car make you may have to have the chips re-sequenced, or the barrels re-keyed to stop previous owners from accessing the vehicle. This can be costly and you may have to purchase a backup set of keys. Examine your insurance policy for autos to determine whether you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage typically covers more than collision and liability.

The best method to avoid a situation like this is to be vigilant about keeping valuables out of your vehicle and keep the spare key out of your home. You can also deter thieves by putting the last seven digits on your headlights, windows and mirrors. Finally, if you live in a region that has a high rate of crime, it's worth asking businesses near where your car was stolen to determine whether they have security cameras that may have captured the theft on camera. If you're able recover your stolen car, you should contact your local locksmith to get advice on the best way to store your spare keys and lock up your vehicle.

How do you report a stolen vehicle?

If you discover that your vehicle has been stolen, the first thing you need to do is call your local police department to make a report. They'll be able to tell you what forms you'll need to fill out and the procedures you must follow, depending on the laws that apply to your area. They'll also provide you with an incident number you can pass to your insurance company in order to make claims.

When you call the police, be sure to have all your vehicle information ready, including the VIN the license plate, the description of the car and any receipts from upgrades or service. You might be asked to show your driver's license or auto insurance card as proof that you are the owner registered to own the vehicle. Many companies will allow you to access the policy's details online even if you don't have these documents in your possession.

You should ensure that the police have reported that your car has been stolen, because it increases the likelihood of it being recovered. By reporting it right away, you allow police to gather evidence (such a security camera or witness statement) sooner rather than later.

Reporting the theft immediately can also help prevent the thief fraudulently transfer ownership of your vehicle to another person or registration of the vehicle under their name. Contact the department of motor vehicles in your state, and provide proof of your address and identity.

If your vehicle is stolen and damaged during the process of recovery the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance should cover the damages - minus the deductible. This is the reason it's so important to report the theft to your insurance company as quickly as possible.

You should also notify the lender if you've borrowed or borrowed your vehicle. They are considered lienholders and hold a financial interest in the vehicle, which is the reason they should be informed of any losses. In the event of not being notified, it could result in legal action or financial penalties.

How do you return your car?

Police should be informed as soon as possible when a vehicle is stolen without a working key. This will assist them in tracking down the vehicle and catch the culprits. The information about your vehicle in national and state databases makes it difficult for thieves to sell the vehicle.

It's a good idea, once you've filed the police report, to inform your insurance company. If you have comprehensive coverage they'll be able initiate an insurance claim on your behalf to get compensated for the loss of the vehicle or pay for any damages that might have occurred when it was in the hands of a theft victim's possession.

You should also inform your leasing or lender that the vehicle was stolen. This will allow them to contact your insurance company to find out the details including whether they are able to make any payments void or take possession of the vehicle in case it's not returned.

If you have an electronic key fob or smart key that is a more recent model, you'll need to drive your car to the dealership of your particular brand and get your key replaced electronically. It will cost a few hundred dollars but will be cheaper than replacing the ignition and locks for the what to do if your car keys are stolen standard key.

For older models with keys that are standard you'll need to visit an automotive locksmith to have both the keys and barrels (the part that inserts into the lock) changed. It's expensive, but you'll be sure that anyone who finds the keys that were previously used will not be able use them to steal the vehicle.

It's important to keep the interior of your vehicle clean and free of any valuable items that might be targeted by thieves. If you have a sat navigator or mobile phone in your car, think about keeping them in the trunk or in a secret compartment under the floor mats. You should also not put any valuables into the glove compartment, because this could be appealing to thieves to break into.