Key Car Repair - What to Do If Your Keys Get Lost, Damaged, Or Stolen
The simple car key is often overlooked until it is lost, damaged, or stolen. It's essential to know the procedure of getting your keys repaired and what to do if you're stuck.
Minor scratches can be mended by applying a touch-up, however more serious ones may require mobile detailing services. They have the specialized materials and the expertise to repair them efficiently.
Scratches and Key Marks
It can be a traumatic experience to have your car keyed. It's not just affecting the appearance of the vehicle and its price of resales. There are ways to reduce the impact. This involves taking a look at the damage, selecting the best repair method and finding a reputable professional to complete the work.
The first step in repairing a scratch on a key is to thoroughly clean it. This will eliminate any dirt and wax residue which will allow you to more accurately assess the damage. Scratches range from superficial to more extensive, impacting the paint and the clear coat. The deeper scratches may even expose the bare metal body of your car. Deeper scratch repairs typically require the use of rub compound, sandpaper and polish for cars.
It is recommended to consult an expert mobile in auto detailing to repair a key scratch. They'll have the experience, knowledge, and specialized tools needed to repair damage quickly and efficiently. Apart from ensuring that scratches are repaired properly, they will also apply a clear protective coating to the damaged areas.
Before hiring a professional for car detailing, ask for references and conduct some research online to see what other customers are saying about them. A professional who refuses to provide references is a red flag. Find out if your insurance company has an approved list of professionals.
Keyed Car Repair
It can be a traumatic experience to have your car keys locked in the event of a loss because of reckless driving or an accident. It can not only damage the appearance of your car and cause rust, but it can also cause and other surface damage. In some instances the damage could make it unsafe to drive your vehicle.
If you have insurance that is comprehensive, this type of damage will be covered, but you'll still be accountable for the deductible. To get the most out of your comprehensive policy, ensure that you record any damage with photos before attempting any repairs. Contact your insurance agency and schedule an inspection with a claims adjuster in order to be assessed and repaired.
Locked in the Trunk
One of the most frequent issues that car owners face is locking their trunk. When closing the car, it's uncommon to leave the keys in the trunk. This happens when a person is distracted or in a rush. This can occur to anyone and is a stressful situation to be in.
It's crucial to remain in a calm state and think about what you can do to fix the issue without damaging your car. Get help from a professional if are not confident in your ability to open the trunk. They can assist you to determine whether the lock on your trunk is broken or worn out from regular use.
It can be terrifying to see people trapped in their trunks. Some people get locked in their trunks accidentally or are forced into it by criminals as part of an armed burglary. It's a good idea to keep a spare key at home or with a trusted person.
If you do have a spare car key try using it to open the trunk before calling for professional assistance. It is also advisable to keep an extra key in your purse or pocket, which you can easily access should you be trapped in the trunk of your vehicle.
Certain modern cars have the trunk release button, which can be pressed from the cabin to open the trunk without keys. This is an excellent feature, but it only works if the car is stopped and can reach the lever.
You may also be able to open the trunk of your car by folding back the rear seats. The latch is typically located in the middle console or under the carpet. You can take your keys from the trunk and then leave the car without damaging it if you open the trunk this manner.
If you don't have a spare key, and you do not want your car to be broken into, you can use an electric hanger. Bend the hanger and twist one end into a tiny hook. Then, place the hook between the trunk of your vehicle and the back seat. If there's a lever or a button that opens the trunk then you can use the hook to pull or push it. It may be necessary to repeat this process multiple times before you are able to open your trunk.
Locked in the Ignition
The ignition switch or the pins and teeth of the ignition cylinder as well as the ignition cylinder can cause a key to get stuck in the ignition. The majority of the time, the issue isn't as severe as it might appear at first, and you can solve it without the need to call a professional locksmiths or auto service.
Before you panic, make sure that your vehicle is set in neutral or park (many modern cars with automatics won't allow you to take the keys off if they aren't in a parked position). You can also try to jiggling your gear shift from one side to the other. This can loosen springs and pins inside the cylinder, making it easier to slide out your key.
The ignition can become clogged and even gunky over time particularly if it isn't used often. Try spraying a silicon locklubricant into the ignition and door locks in the event of this happening. This will help loosen up any dirt particles that are blocking the keyhole, and could stop future problems from occurring.
If this doesn't help try spraying WD40 in the ignition and wiggle your key. This will loosen any dirt particles that may be preventing the ignition key from turning. It also lets you to re-insert and turn on the key. If you aren't getting any results, there is a chance that the key itself is too worn to engage the pins in the cylinder. If this is the case, you'll need to replace your key as soon as possible to avoid this problem in the future.
It is also important to note that if you can't remove your key or if it falls off in the ignition, you must call an emergency locksmith right away. They will have the tools to extract a broken key and often create keys for new cars on the spot also. They can also help determine if your particular year model, make and model of vehicle is subject to any recalls or technical service bulletins that relate to the ignition key cylinder.
Making a Claim
Whether it makes sense to make an insurance claim for an important car repair is based on a few aspects. It is primarily dependent on the type of coverage that the owner of the vehicle has. If the car is covered under comprehensive insurance, which covers damages caused by circumstances beyond the driver's control, then it is likely to be covered. It will also depend on how much you pay for the deductible and also the repair cost.
car key fob repair service of the car will need to contact their insurance company and request that the claims department look at the damage to ensure it will be covered. The car owner must take photos and get a police report.
After the insurance company has examined the vehicle, they'll likely cover the repairs. In some cases insurance companies might send the repair bill to the mechanic directly however in other cases, the car owner must pay for the damage out of the pocket and then submit a claim.
If the car has been damaged or vandalized while it was parking on a street, there might be witnesses or video footage. If this is the case, then it is much easier to identify the person responsible and force them to pay for the damage.
If the key was only scratched but did not go all the way through the primer or even the metal, then the car owner might be able to recover the costs of the repair in small claims court. A claim for keying does not affect the cost of insurance as much as it does to a major accident claim, but it still has an impact.
