How to Deal With Lost Or Stolen Keys
People lose their keys often. They could be thrown on the counter at the supermarket or fall out of their pocket or purse while walking to work.
If you lose your keys the first thing to do is to remain calm. This will make the process much easier for you.
1. Call the Police
It is important that you contact the police as soon as possible if you lose your keys. This is not just an excellent idea for your own safety and security, but it can aid in catching the culprit. The police can give you a report that you can use to identify your thief.
You can also search for your spare key. Some people keep spare keys in a convenient location like a purse or wallet or they might have given one to someone in the family or a friend. You might be able to find the spare by asking people who may have it, whether they have found it.
Keep spare keys on various rings if they are yours. If one set of keys gets lost or stolen and your other property is damaged, the rest are not at risk. This will reduce the likelihood of burglars entering your home to steal your belongings. It will also spare you the hassle of filing a claim with your insurance company, as they'll be able to prove that you weren't at fault for losing your keys.
2. Contact a locksmith
It's crucial to call an experienced locksmith immediately after you have lost your keys. They can assist you in gaining access to your vehicle or home with minimal or no damage. They can also rekey your lock so that the previous key will no longer work and make it more difficult for a burglar to get in.
It's normal to lose keys. They could be placed on a counter at the grocery store, thrown away when you are trying to open your door, or taken. In some cases they can be found in places they shouldn't be (like in a flower planter or in a mailbox).
The best way to avoid this from occurring is to keep a spare key in your pocket, and use it when you leave the house. You can also request your locksmith to cut you my spare car key was stolen keys to ensure you have them readily available. You'll save time and energy in the future should you require the spares.
3. Call Your Insurance Agent
The dreadful feeling of losing something as valuable as your car keys is a typical one. Whether you are rushing to get to the office or sitting at home, the prospect of your keys being gone can be very stressful.
There are a few things to locate your keys prior to calling your agent. Examine your bags, pockets, and other places you might have thrown them. Check all the places you may have put them, like behind the desk at the entrance or in your car.
In most instances, it's not worth filing claims on your insurance for keys stolen or lost. Replacing old mechanical keys is fairly cheap and will not reach the deductible on your policy. Key fobs are more costly to replace.
It is possible that personal property protection under your homeowners or renters insurance could be able to cover the cost of the replacement of a key, however this is likely to require a thorough review of your policy and will remain on your claims record.
4. Contact Your Credit Reporting Agencies
It is possible that the criminal who snatched your keys also gained other personal data like credit card numbers as well as bank account information. Therefore, it is crucial to notify your credit reporting agencies as quickly as you can.
This will let them know that you suspect your keys were stolen and they should place a fraudulent alert on your file and instruct anyone trying to open new accounts under your name to ask for your permission first. This will ensure that you don't risk becoming a victim to identity theft.
Losing your keys could be a frustrating and scary situation, but don't panic! You may have dropped them or forgotten about them after getting out of your vehicle. Try to remember where you last had them and retrace your steps to see if you are able to find them. If they are not found it's likely time to contact the police. A key is a simple way to gain access to the object it was designed to protect in this case, your vehicle and all its contents.
5. Change Your Lock
Change your locks should only be done if you suspect that someone has access to your home. This is especially true if the keys were found in a public area such as a department store or a park.
Rekeying your lock is usually more beneficial than replacing the locks. Rekeying your lock is a less costly and more complicated option. It does not affect the security of your home.
The best method to avoid losing your keys in the first place is to put them on a different ring than other things you carry around. This way, they'll be harder to locate in the event of them being lost.
It's also a good idea to always keep a spare key. This can be useful if you're locked out of your house or my car key fob was stolen. Many people hide spares in easy-to-find places such as under a pillow or inside their car seats. It is also an excellent idea to ask your family and friends for an extra set you could borrow.
6. Contact Your Family and Friends
Many people frequently lose their keys, either because they have lost them or had them stolen car key. Depending on the nature of the incident it can cause a lot of stress. It's impossible to be happy when you lose your keys, whether it's a house key, car key, or a set of keys for your business.
Many people keep a collection of spare keys in a location they know they can find them. It is important to be aware that burglars could also have your spare keys. If they have your keys, they will easily gain access to your home while you are away.
To prevent this from happening to avoid this, it's best to keep your keys with you whenever possible. This will keep them from being stolen by burglars and will keep you safe. It's also recommended to ask for help from your family and friends what happens if your car keys are stolen your keys are lost. They're more likely to find your keys than you are. Don't put your keys in easily accessible locations.
7. Contact Your Auto Insurance Agent
It's a terrible feeling to lose your keys and know that they will never be found. While it can be difficult to bear, it's essential to take the appropriate steps to safeguard yourself and limit the damage.
The first step is to call your insurance company, as some policies cover the cost of replacing stolen car keys. However, it is important to be aware of the exact conditions and terms of your policy will determine if making a claim for keys that have been stolen is worth it. Based on the cost of replacement and your deductible, it might be better to pay out of pocket instead of putting an insurance claim stay on your record, which may increase your rates at renewal.
It is an excellent idea to inquire with your renters or property insurance company to find out whether items that were stolen from your vehicle are covered by their policies. This is much simpler than submitting a claim with your auto insurer.
8. Take Steps for Prevention
It's probably time to take preventative measures if you're likely to lose your keys. This could reduce stress and money in the future, particularly if your car is equipped with an entry system that is keyless.
You can quickly get back on the right path after losing your keys by following a step by step process. Start by checking where you usually keep them. Most likely, they're hiding in plain view. If you've searched those areas and still can't find them, try going through your day. You might have accidentally smashed the objects off when you dropped them on a table or reached into your bag for something other.
Another easy way to protect your keys is to store them in a signal blocking pouch or tin. The pouches can be bought on the internet for $5 and block the signal that is sent between your car keys and your car, ensuring that thieves can't take it over to create a duplicate. You can also purchase an OBD port locking device for your car got stolen with keys in it. Avoid parking in usual locations and be aware of phishing scams.