Reporting your stolen car to the police is an important step to take any time your car is stolen. But do you need to do so with the keys as well?
One of the worst experiences anyone would have is to have his car stolen. It can shatter your day and disorganize your soul. But surprisingly, car theft is still on the rise and as a car owner, it is your duty to ensure your car is secured to avoid being stolen.
Some have gone to the extent of stealing car keys with the hope of gaining access to the car. If your car is stolen what should you do? Can you report your car stolen if they have the keys?
No, you cannot report your car stolen if they have the keys but the car is in your custody, rather, you can report the stolen key to the police and change the keys immediately to prevent someone from gaining access to your car.
Can You Report Your Car Stolen if They Have the Keys?
You can only report your car stolen if the car and the keys are in their custody. However, if the car is with you and the keys are with them, you can report the key stolen and not the car. This is because you cannot report a car stolen when it’s parked in your garage.
The essence of doing so is to prevent whoever has your car key from opening the car door and gaining access to your car.
Factors to Consider Before Reporting Stolen Keys to the Police
The factors to consider before reporting your stolen keys to the police are:
1. Is the Car Still in Your Custody?
If the car is with you and securely parked in your backyard, locked garage, or driveway, you don’t need to report the car stolen. This is because the car with still with you.
However, when the car is with you but your keys are with them, you can report the stolen key to the police, telling them that your key is stolen and not your car. You can’t tell the police your car is stolen when it’s still in your garage.
2. Who Has the Key?
The ability to report a car stolen when they have the key depends on who has the key. If for example you had issues with your ex-boyfriend or as a divorced husband and wife, and he went away with your car keys while the car was with you.
If he fails to return the keys after you have asked him several times, you can report the key as stolen and not the car.
However, if your car was repossessed and the repo man towed the car while the key was inside. You cannot report the car stolen just because they have the keys because repossession is not stealing.
If while driving, some gangs catch up with you in traffic and make away with your bag that has your keys inside (for cars with thumb start), you are still able to drive the car without the keys until you turn the car off, you should report the key stolen not the car.
3. Are they With the Keys and the Car?
You can report a car stolen if they have both the keys and the car. Irrespective of who the person is, as long as the car is still in your name, if after pleading with the person to return your car he refuses, you can report it to the police. This is the only time you can report a car stolen when they have the keys.
What to Do If Your Car Key is Stolen?
If your car key is stolen, you should:
Reach Out to the Person
If your car keys are stolen and you know who has it, you can reach out to the person to return the keys. Talking to the person may get your keys back to you.
For example, if you recently got a divorce and your ex-husband took the keys to a car registered under your name, you can easily speak with him urging him to return the keys especially if the car is part of what you got from the divorce.
Report The Theft to the Police
Once your car key is stolen, report the theft to the police immediately. While reporting, let them know if the car is still in your custody or not.
Replace the Keys Immediately
Immediately the keys are stolen, you should take the car to a locksmith or car dealership and have the keys replaced immediately.
If the stolen key is an electronic key fob, you can easily have the car locks reprogrammed electronically instead of changing the keys.
But if the stolen key is a standard “turn-key”, you may have to change the key locks and even the ignition. This may cost so much money but it’s better to spend less changing the keys than to spend more buying another car.
Remove Important Documents from the Car
If you have important documents in the car when the key was stolen, endeavor to take those documents out of the car to avoid them getting into the wrong hands. You don’t want to find yourself battling with identity theft.
How Long Do You Have to Wait to Report a Car Stolen?
You should report the stolen car to the police immediately the car is stolen from you. You don’t have to wait forever to call 911.
One of the advantages of reporting a stolen car as soon as possible is that you stand a chance of getting the car back. The police can trail the car and hopefully get it back as soon as possible.
Conclusion
You don’t need to report a car stolen when they have the keys rather, you can report the key stolen. Also, you should remove all sensitive documents inside the car before taking the car to a locksmith or dealership to reprogram or replace the locks to avoid battling identity theft.
