Key Car Repair - What to Do If Your Keys Get Lost, Damaged, Or Stolen
The humble car key is often overlooked until it gets lost, damaged, or stolen. It's important to understand the procedure of getting your keys repaired and what to do if you're stuck.
Minor scratches can be mended with a touch-up of paint, but more severe ones might require mobile detailing by a professional. They have the specialized materials and skills to repair them effectively.
Scratches or Key Marks
The process of having your car keyed could be a very stressful experience. It not only affects the appearance of your vehicle, but it can also affect the value of resales. There are steps you can take to lessen the impact of this kind of vandalism. This includes assessing the damage, choosing the right repair method, and locating a reliable professional to finish the job.
The first step in repairing the scratch on a key is to thoroughly clean it. This will remove any wax and dirt and allow you to better determine the extent of the damage. Scratches can range from minor to deep, with the latter affecting both the paint and the clear coat of the vehicle. The deeper scratches may expose the bare metal body of your vehicle. The more severe scratches can be repaired using rubbing compound, car polish, and sandpaper.
It is recommended to consult a mobile auto detailing expert in order to repair a key scratch. They will have the expertise and knowledge as well as the specialized tools necessary to repair damage efficiently and effectively. They will not just ensure that the scratches are fixed properly, but they will also apply clear protective coatings to the damaged areas.
Request references prior to hiring a professional for car detailing. You can also do some online research to find out what other customers have to say about them. Any professional who is unwilling to provide references is a red-flag. Check if your insurance provider has a list of preferred specialists.
Keyed Car Repair
It could be due to reckless driving or even an accidental collision, having your vehicle locked can be a traumatic experience. It's not just a threat to the appearance of your vehicle but cause rust and other forms of damage to the surface. In some instances, the damage can even make it unsafe to drive your car.
This type of damage is covered by comprehensive insurance. However you are still accountable for the deductible. Photograph any damage before you attempt any repairs to get the most from your insurance policy. Contact your insurance agency and schedule an inspection with a claims adjuster to be assessed and repaired.
Locked in the Trunk
One of the most frequent problems that car owners encounter is locking their trunk. When closing the car, it's not uncommon to leave the keys in the trunk. This happens when a person is busy or distracted. This can happen to anyone and is a stressful situation to be in.
It's important to be calm and think about what you can do without damaging your vehicle to correct the issue. If you're not comfortable with trying to unlock the trunk yourself, call a professional. They can help you determine whether the lock on your trunk is been damaged or worn out due to regular use.
Getting locked in the trunk can be a frightening experience for anyone. Some people are trapped in their trunks by accident, while others have been targeted by criminals and forced into the trunk in the course of a robbery, or a different crime. It's a good idea to keep an extra key in your home or with a trusted friend.
If you have an extra key, use it to open the trunk first before calling for help. You should also keep a spare key in your bag or pocket that you can access should you be locked in the trunk of your vehicle.
Certain cars of the present have a trunk release button that can be pressed from the cabin to open the trunk even without the keys. This is a very useful feature however only if you are able to reach it while the car is not in motion.
You might also be able open the trunk of your car folding the rear seats. You'll usually find the latch in the middle console or beneath the carpet. You can grab your keys from the trunk and then leave the car without causing any damage to it by opening the trunk this manner.
If you don't have a spare key and do not want to break into your car, you can try using a wire hanger. Bend key fob repair service and twist it to form an incredibly small hook. Then, you can place the hook between the trunk and backseat of your vehicle. If there's a lever, or button that opens the trunk then you can use the hook to push or pull it. You may need to repeat this procedure many times in order to open your trunk.
Ignition Locked In
A key could be locked in the ignition due to many causes, such as issues with the ignition cylinder of your car or its teeth and pins or the ignition switch. Often, the problem isn't as severe as it appears at first and you can fix it without the need for professional auto service or a locksmith.
Be sure to verify whether your car is in neutral park before you panic. A lot of modern vehicles won't allow you to take the keys off if they're not in a parking mode. Try jiggling the gear shift from side to side. This can loosen pins and springs inside the cylinder to make it easier for you to remove the key.
Over time, the ignition could get a bit shaky and sluggish, especially if you don't use it frequently. Try spraying a silicon locklubricant into the door lock and ignition if this happens. This will allow you to remove any dirt particles blocking the keyhole and could stop future problems from occurring.
If this isn't working, you might need to spray WD40 into the ignition and then move the key. This will break up any dirt particles that may hinder the ignition key from turning. It can also allow you to re-insert and turn on the key again. If you don't see any results, there is an opportunity that the key is too worn to engage the pins in the cylinder. It is recommended to replace the key as quickly as you can to avoid problems in the future.
It is also important to note that if you are unable to remove your key, or if it breaks off from the ignition, you must contact an emergency locksmith right away. These professionals have the necessary tools to remove a damaged key and often create a new car key immediately also. They can also help determine if the year or make and model vehicle is a subject to recalls or technical service bulletins that relate to the ignition key cylinder.
Making a Claim
The decision to make a claim for an important car repair is based on several factors. First, it will depend on the type of coverage the owner of the vehicle has. If the car is covered by comprehensive coverage which covers damage caused by events beyond the driver's reach, then it is likely to be covered. However, it will also depend on the amount of the deductible, as well as how much the vehicle will ultimately cost to fix.
The owner of the vehicle must contact his or her insurance company to request that the claims department look at the damage. This will ensure that the damage will be covered. The car owner must take photos and get a police report.
After the insurance company has inspected the vehicle, it will likely make repairs. In some instances the insurance company will forward the repair bill directly to the mechanic, however in other instances, the car owner will have to pay for the damages out of pocket and then file a claim with the insurance company.
If the car was keyed when it was being parked in a public space, it is possible that there could be witnesses or video footage of the vandalism. If this is the case, it is much easier to identify the person responsible and force them to pay for the damage.
If the key scuffed the primer but did not penetrate the primer or the primer, the vehicle owner may be able recuperate the cost of repair in a small claims court. A claim for keying does not impact insurance rates as much compared to a claim for a major accident, but it still has an impact.