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Losing your car keys can be a frustrating moment, but it doesn’t have to be a major inconvenience. Learn the easy steps you can take to get back behind the wheel when your keys go missing to take the sting out of this common annoyance.
First of all, don’t panic. It may be inconvenient, but it’s not the end of the world. You won’t have to change your car locks or break in, all you need to do is get the right help.
Your first port of call if your insurance policy, does it cover lost and missing keys? Check whether you can claim a new key on your car insurance and if so, find out whether you need to follow any particular process before ordering a new key.
If you have breakdown cover, you may find that your provider can send someone out to help you get back into your car. Check your policy and see what’s on offer. This can be handy if you’ve locked your keys in your car or if you’ve lost your keys and need to fetch something important from inside the vehicle. You may even find that your breakdown cover includes a key cutting service, although this is less common.
To get a new key cut, you’ll need to prove that the car is yours. The best way to do this is make sure you have proof of identity, such as your driver’s license, and the car’s V5C form with your name as the owner.
If you don’t have breakdown cover that offers a replacement key, then your next step will be to get in touch with an auto locksmith. Generally, they’ll be able to offer you a new, generic key that can then be programmed for your car. Sometimes, they will be able to disable your old keys, but this might not always be the case.
If you want a like-for-like replacement for your missing key, then your best bet is to get in touch with a dealer for your car’s manufacturer. This tends to cost a bit more and will take a while longer, but it’s the most reliable way to get a replacement OEM key with the same look and features as your original.
If you think there’s a chance that your car keys have been stolen rather than misplaced, be sure to get in touch with the police. Also let your insurer know when your report your keys as missing. Likewise, you should mention your suspicions to whoever is helping you with your replacement key. Sometimes, only a registered dealer is able to disable the old keys and make sure that they can’t be used again.
Calls may be monitored for quality and training purposes. Eastern Western Motor Group Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and insurance distribution activities under reference number 310505 – we are a credit broker not a lender. Registered Office: 8 Westerton Road, East Mains Industrial Estate, Broxburn West Lothian EH52 5AU Registered in Scotland No. 14833 VAT Registration No. 269233051 We work with a number of carefully selected credit providers who may be able to offer you finance for your purchase. We are only able to offer finance products from these providers.