Car Stolen Without Key - What to Do
After his Toyota RAV4 was stolen and vandalized twice during the past year, a local began to research online. He stumbled upon a way for thieves to replicate the signal from key fobs to steal cars without even touching them.
Crooks utilize relay amplifiers to capture the signal. They steal cars within 60 seconds or less if they work in pairs.
What happens if your keys?
The loss of keys is one of the most annoying things you can do. It can be difficult to get around and can put your office or home in danger. It doesn't matter whether you accidentally drop your belongings into the sink, or lose them in a subway car. You must know how to do about them so that they don't end up in the wrong hands.
The first thing you should do when you lose your keys is to call the police and your insurance company. Many people are shocked to find that their insurance will cover the cost of a locksmith if they're lost or stolen. This should be taken care of as soon as you can as someone else could have your keys to gain access into your car or home If you don't take care.
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 causing damage to your property. This can save you a lot of time and money, particularly when you're in a hurry. The locksmith may have to use his tools to open the lock and make an impression of the internal components. The lock will then be taken to a second shop and a duplicate will be made. The process is usually fast and shouldn't cost much more than $30 if you have more than one lock.
You might need to contact your dealer or auto locksmith to reprogram the smart key. You need proof of ownership to replace the car keys. In this instance you might require your license and the number of your vehicle identification on hand.
Give your spare key to a family member or friend to allow you in the house should you lose it. You can also ask your local locksmith to cut you a new set of keys and store them somewhere secure, like the office or garage. This will prevent you from losing your keys in the future, and keep them safe from thieves who tend to search for keys in obvious spots, like under a planter or in the mailbox.
What can you do to help?
If your car is taken without a key, it's important to act swiftly. Contact the police as soon as possible, and get a copy of the police report to keep. If you haven't already inform your local department of motor vehicles (DMV). They'll add your vehicle to the state's database of stolen cars which makes it harder for anyone else to claim the vehicle as their own.
If you are able, install an electronic device for tracking installed in your car. These devices, like AirTags created by Apple send signals to your iPhone when they're within range of an Apple product (like your car). This lets you see the location of your vehicle in real time via your phone app. You might also look into tracking systems that are less expensive from companies like Ring, Blink, or Nest.
Another option is purchasing new keys. Depending on the make of your vehicle it is possible to have the chips or barrels changed. This will block previous owners accessing the vehicle. This can be costly and may require that you purchase a second set of keys to be used as backup. It is also advisable to examine your insurance policy to determine whether you have comprehensive coverage, which typically will cover more than collision and liability.
The best method to avoid a situation like this is to ensure that you are not leaving valuables in your vehicle and to keep the spare key out of your home. You can also deter thieves by putting the last seven digits on your windows, headlights, and mirrors. If you live in a high-crime area, ask businesses nearby whether they have surveillance cameras that may have caught the theft. If you're able to retrieve your car that was stolen, you should contact your local locksmith for guidance on the best method to store the spare keys and lock your vehicle.
How do you report a car that has been stolen?
If you discover that your vehicle has been stolen first step is call the police department in your area to report it. You'll learn what procedures and forms you'll need to follow, depending on local laws. They'll also give you an incident number that you can pass on to your insurance company in order to make claims.
If you contact the police, be sure to have all the information about your vehicle on hand, including the VIN the license plate, the description of the vehicle, and any receipts from upgrades or service. You might be asked to provide your copyright or auto insurance card as proof that you are the owner registered to own the vehicle. If you don't have here these handy, many companies allow you to access your policy information online and provide this information for you.
It's important to declare your vehicle as stolen. This increases the chances of it being recovered. In addition notifying it immediately allows the police to collect any potential evidence (such as security footage or witness statements) sooner rather than later.
Notifying the theft as soon as you notice it will also stop 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 submitting evidence of your identity and residency.
If your car is found and damaged during the recovery process, the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance should cover the damages and the deductible. It is essential to inform your insurance company of the theft as soon as you can.
You must also inform the lender if you have financed or leased your vehicle. They are considered lienholders, and have an interest in the financial condition of 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 I return my car?
If a vehicle is stolen 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 perpetrators. Your vehicle's information being on the national and state databases will also make it more difficult for the thieves to sell it.
It's a good idea, once you've filed the police report, to also notify your insurance company. If you have insurance that is comprehensive, they can open a claim for you to cover any damages or compensation for the loss that occurred while the vehicle was in the criminal's possession.
In addition, you should inform your leasing company or lender know that the vehicle has been stolen. This will enable them to contact your insurance company and work out the details including whether they are able to stop any payments or repossess the vehicle in case it's not returned.
If you have a smart key, or a newer model that has an electronic key fob, the best option is to go to the auto dealership for the model you have and have it replaced electronically. It will cost you a few hundred dollars, but is less expensive than replacing the ignition and locks with an ordinary key.
You'll need to take the older models that have standard keys to an automotive locksmith, and have both the keys and the barrels (the part that goes into the lock) replaced. This can be costly however it will ensure that anyone who gets the keys you have had previously will not be capable of using them to steal your vehicle.
It's important to keep the interior of your vehicle free of valuable items that could be a target for thieves. You could consider storing your sat-nav and mobile in the boot of your car, or in a hidden compartment under the floor mats. Also, not put any valuables into your glove box as this will be more attractive for thieves to take it out.