What happens if someone steals my car keys?

Author: Wilfred Krajcik  |  Last update: Friday, October 31, 2025

Officers will suggest you fill out a report and include all the details. Try to recall the exact moment that you suspected a thief stole your fob and give a description of this person. The next step is to call your car insurance company to check if they cover key fob replacements.

What should I do if my car keys get stolen?

You should immediately notify your local police and your insurance company. If you have a spare key, change the locks or reprogram the key fob.

Are you insured if your car keys are stolen?

Comprehensive coverage will cover a stolen car, including its keys, but it won't cover lost keys. Other kinds of insurance — like homeowners — may also cover car keys in case of theft. But you should weigh the costs of filing a claim for your stolen keys to make sure it's worth it.

Can you call the police if someone takes your car keys?

So yes, you can file a police report for theft. The police will decide how and whether to proceed from there. If you wanted to file a small claims action in court without a lawyer, you could also do that. If you can prove the value of the items, she would have to pay you back for that.

What can someone do with my car keys?

Using an RFID transmitter, they can copy the signal produced by the key fob and unlock the car. Usually, a second person will stand near the vehicle ready to transmit the signal, unlock the door, and start the vehicle. They may also want to steal your belongings or personal information.

Keyless Car Theft - How does it work?

What happens if someone steals your car keys?

Go to your dealership, and have them make you a key. It's your best bet. Then, get your key copied for $2 at your local hardware store! If the vehicle is new enough you should be able to go to a dealer, same as the vehicle manufacturer, with the vin and have them make you a new key.

What to do after someone keys your car?

What To Do If Your Car Gets Keyed: 7 Tips You Need to Know
  1. Assess the Damage. The first step in dealing with a keyed car is to assess the damage. ...
  2. Document the Incident. ...
  3. Contact the Authorities. ...
  4. Notify Your Insurance Company. ...
  5. Find a Trusted Body Repair Shop. ...
  6. Consider Prevention Measures. ...
  7. Keep an Eye Out.

Can you file a police report if someone keys your car?

Keying someone's car is an act of vandalism, so if this happens to you, you should call your local police department's non-emergency number. An officer will file a report that can hopefully lead to charging the person who did it. A police report will also help if you decide to file an auto insurance claim.

How to report stolen car keys?

If you know that your car keys have been stolen but your car is still in your possession, the first thing to do is report the crime to the police. They may be able to offer further advice around protecting your car, such as using a wheel lock, and will provide you with a crime reference number.

Do you have to give police your car keys?

There is no federal precedence about keys specifically. I would say that, generally, a cop taking your keys would count as an unlawful seizure, but if they have a reason to believe that you may flee them within the coming seconds/minutes, a court would probably rule in their favor.

Does insurance cover if someone keys your car?

Car insurance policies with comprehensive coverage often cover keyed car repairs, while collision coverage does not. Keyed car repair costs vary based on the extent of the damage, but you might pay anywhere from $500 to $1,500.

Can my employer charge me for lost keys?

No, your employer cannot legally make such a deduction from your wages if, by reason of mistake or accident a cash shortage, breakage, or loss of company property/equipment occurs.

How long do you have to wait to report a car stolen?

As soon as you know your car is stolen report it to the police. However, before contacting police, check with your parents to see if they have moved the car or are using it first. Once you know it is indeed theft, then contact police and your insurer immediately.

Are stolen car keys covered by insurance?

No car insurance policies will kick in just to cover the lost or stolen keys under any circumstances. However, if you have comprehensive coverage in your policy, you can file a claim for your stolen car and the properties inside it, including its keys.

Can you track a stolen car key?

If you lose your key fob, you can contact your dealership or a locksmith to get a replacement. However, if you want to track your lost key fob, you'll need to have a tracking device installed on it. There are several tracking devices available in the market that you can attach to your key fob to help locate it.

Which keyless cars are most stolen?

What are the most commonly targeted cars?
  • Range Rover Sport. Range Rover Sport.
  • Range Rover Vogue. BMW X5.
  • Range Rover Autobiography. Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
  • BMW X5. Range Rover Vogue.
  • Land Rover Discovery / BMW 3 Series. Land Rover Discovery.
  • Mercedes-Benz C-Class. BMW X6.
  • Range Rover Evoque. Range Rover Evoque.
  • Mercedes C-Class AMG.

What happens if someone steals car keys?

Officers will suggest you fill out a report and include all the details. Try to recall the exact moment that you suspected a thief stole your fob and give a description of this person. The next step is to call your car insurance company to check if they cover key fob replacements.

How much will insurance pay for a stolen car?

The replacement payout would be equivalent to the market value of your stolen vehicle. The market value of your vehicle is what it was worth at the time it was stolen, not what you initially paid for it. With Comprehensive, you would also need to pay a deductible before your insurance pays out.

Should I report lost car keys?

If you suspect your car keys were stolen, you should file a police report and work on getting your locks changed. Here are a few steps you can take if you've lost your house or car keys. Retrace your steps. If you think you've lost your keys, you should first retrace your steps.

What should I do if someone keys my car?

File a Police Report

Car keying is an act of vandalism, and the first thing you'll want to do is call the police and report the crime. They can work to potentially find who did it. More importantly, they can create a police report that can be a huge help for your insurance company.

Can I sue if someone keys my car?

Intentional Acts of Vandalism: If someone intentionally damages your car, such as keying the paint or smashing windows, you may have a case for suing them for the cost of repairs or even punitive damages.

Can you call the cops for someone taking your keys?

Call the police? Surely, you can call them, but actually, their help is not what you need at the moment. You need them to deal with the consequences of key loss or if except for the key something else was stolen too. If you've spotted that the key is stolen right after it got stolen, you can solve the issue quickly.

What to do if someone lost their keys?

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU LOSE YOUR KEYS
  1. Make sure you don't have them. ...
  2. Think of where they could be. ...
  3. Conduct a thorough search. ...
  4. Call the police to report missing keys. ...
  5. Use a spare key. ...
  6. Call a locksmith. ...
  7. Decide whether to cut a new key or change your locks. ...
  8. Take steps for prevention.

Can you press charges on someone for keying your car?

What you are describing is a crime. So the owner of the car COULD request police prosecute the case. And if reported (and if there is evidence like video evidence that corroborates) I would expect the police to bring charges.

How do you catch someone keying your car?

Parked car security cameras, car hidden/spy cams, dash cams for a parked car, home security cameras (front door, driveway, garage, or backyard), car surveillance security cameras, or in-car security cameras help catch, deter or stop someone breaking into, vandalizing, keying or stealing your parked car.

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