Each year, more than 700,000 vehicles are stolen in the U.S.
While experienced car thieves can nab a vehicle without a key, losing your key can still lead to your car going missing. If it's your only key, it can also make it tough to get around.
When you realize that your keys have been lost or stolen, you need to get moving right away.
If your keys are missing, keep reading to learn what to do about stolen car keys.
Contact Police
If you're confident that your keys have been stolen, the first thing you should do is contact police.
In most cases, you won't need to call 911. Unless your purse was snatched from your hands or you were assaulted, the non-emergency number for your local police will likely do.
When the police arrive, they'll help you file a report. This report serves a number of purposes. To start, your insurance company may require it as proof before they will help you get a replacement.
If your purse or other items were stolen, you'll also need a police report in case you wind up the victim of credit card theft or identity theft.
Call Your Insurance Company
In some cases, you may need to call your insurance provider before calling the police.
For instance, if your car is running, the door is locked, and your keys are missing, you'll need help getting inside.
Many insurance policies include coverage for a locksmith. If a locksmith can't get inside, your car may need to be towed to be opened by a locksmith on-site instead.
If your car is parked in a safe spot and it is not running, you can contact the police first, then your insurance company. However, if the police request that you visit the department to file your report, and this will mean leaving valuables in your vehicle while it's parked outside or away from your home, call your insurance company first.
Car thieves are always looking for easy-to-grab valuables in plain sight in vehicles.
Replacing Stolen Car Keys
The age of your vehicle and the type of key will determine your next step.
Newer keys are equipped with a great tool for car theft prevention; they can be deactivated. If you still have a backup key, you can have it reprogrammed. This will make the missing key useless, which will prevent it from being stolen if the thief who has your key knows your vehicle.
If you don't have a backup key, but your car is newer, you may be able to get a new one and have a dealership reprogram your locks. This will also make your old key useless.
For older cars or those without computer chips embedded in them, you may need to replace your car's locks.
If you're like most people and keep your house keys or other keys on the same keychain as your car key, consider other locks you may need to change as well.
Preventing Future Stolen Keys
When it comes to keeping your car from being stolen, there are plenty of anti-theft devices out there to choose from.
A steering wheel lock, brake lock, or tire lock can protect a car that's easy to get into, with or without keys and are some of the best car theft protection options.
A steering wheel lock attaches to the steering wheel so that it can't be moved without a key. Other anti-theft devices keep the car from moving by locking the brakes or making the tires immobile.
But preventing auto thefts also means protecting your keys from being stolen.
Keeping your keys on a keychain can make small keys larger and easier to hold onto. They also make it more obvious when you drop them.
Making a habit of keeping your keys in the same place in your home, and the same pocket or spot in your purse, while you're out, will help you avoid misplacing them.
Just like your cellphone or wallet, never place your keys on a table while dining out or on a counter in a store. It only takes a second for a thief to grab these items while you're busy eating or paying.
If you want a little more peace of mind, you can also invest in a small tracker designed to fit on your keychain. This allows you to track your keys using a small tracker that activates an alarm or even using GPS technology on your cellphone.
Ensuring That Your New Car Hasn't Been Stolen in the Past
It's a small leap from stolen car keys to a stolen vehicle. These tips can help you recover your keys or keep your car safe after they're lost.
But what about when you're purchasing a new car? You need to run a stolen vehicle check.
One way you can check whether the vehicle has previously been stolen is by checking the VIN number. Any time you are thinking about purchasing a new car, you should use the VIN number to see whether it has ever been reported stolen.
Even if the vehicle was recovered by the owner, vehicle thefts often lead to damage and claims that you as a new owner should know about.
If you're thinking about buying a new car, we can help. Our stolen vehicle database allows you to quickly and easily run a VIN number to get a full report of the car's history.
Our search checks law enforcement agencies' databases for police reports about stolen cars. It can also help you discover past odometer readings, insurance claims, technical info, past owners, and more.
A stolen vehicle check is a great way to buy a used car with confidence.
Run your own VIN checktoday!
