What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys

person holding a car key

Lost your car keys? Here’s how to handle the situation.  

We’ve all been there. Losing our car keys can strike panic into anyone. If you’ve misplaced your car keys, you might be wondering what you can do next. Take a look at how to handle this situation in easy steps.

Gather information about your car

To get anything done, your car needs to be identified. You will need the following: model, make, year of production, and a VIN number. You can consult your car’s paperwork or reach out to your insurance agent.

Call your insurance company

Contact your car insurance agency as soon as possible. You may be able to claim for the cost of a replacement on your car insurance policy.

 Get yourself a new key

If you lose your key for your older vehicle, you may be in luck. A regular lock just needs a valet key and you should be good to go. As far as brand new cars are concerned, key replacement is more challenging. A copy of your car key can cost up to $700 depending on the car model. Modern cars have keyless ignitions and keyless entry, which makes the car key more like a pilot then an actual key. The key will need to be programmed and synchronized with your vehicle. Pay a visit to your appropriate car dealership with all the car’s documents to confirm that you’re its owner. They will then link a new key with your car’s onboard computer.

For the quality car insurance that will protect you and your vehicle, contact the team at Gee-Schussler Insurance Agency. We serve Orland Park and surrounding cities in Illinois.