Key Car Repair - What to Do If Your Keys Get Lost, Damaged, Or Stolen
The car key is often ignored until it gets lost, damaged, or stolen. It's important to understand the procedure of fixing your keys and what to do if you're stuck.
Minor scratches can be mended by applying a touch-up paint, however more serious ones may require a professional mobile detailing service. They have the tools and expertise to repair the damage.
Scratches and Key Marks
Having your car keyed can be a stressful experience. It not only affects the appearance of your car, but it can also affect the value of resales. Fortunately, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the effects of this kind of vandalism. This includes assessing the damage, selecting the right repair procedure, and finding a professional to complete the job.
The first step in repairing a scratch on a key is to thoroughly clean it. This will get rid of any dirt or wax residue and allow you to assess the extent of the damage with greater precision. Scratches can range from minor to deeper, the latter affects the paint as well as the clear coat. The more severe scratches could expose the bare metal body of your vehicle. More severe scratches can be fixed with the use of rubbing compound, car polish and sandpaper.
It is recommended to seek the help of a mobile auto detailing expert in order to repair a key scratch. They'll have the expertise of the field, the expertise, and the equipment to repair the damage quickly and effectively. They will not only ensure that the scratches are repaired correctly, but also apply clear protective coatings on the damaged areas.
Ask for references before hiring an expert car detailing service. You can also do some online research to find out what other customers have said about them. Any professional who is unwilling to provide references is a red-flag. It is also important to determine whether your insurance provider has a preferred list of professionals to choose from.
Keyed Car Repair
It can be a traumatic experience to have your car keyed, whether it is caused by reckless driving or an accident. It's not just damaging the appearance of your car however, it could also cause corrosion and other surface damage. In some instances, the damage can even make it unsafe to drive your car.
If you have insurance that is comprehensive this kind of damage will be covered but you'll still be accountable for the deductible. Take pictures of any damage before you attempt repairs to make the most benefit from your comprehensive insurance policy. Contact your insurance company and arrange for an inspection by a claims adjuster. The damage will be assessed and repaired.
Locked in the Trunk
Locking your trunk is one of the most frequent problems that car owners have to deal with. When closing the vehicle, it's uncommon to put the keys in the trunk. This happens when someone is distracted or in a rush. Anyone can find themselves in this situation, and it's a hassle.
It's essential to remain calm and consider what you can do without damaging your vehicle to fix the problem. If you're not confident in trying to unlock the trunk on your own, contact an expert. They'll be able to help you determine if the trunk lock is broken or worn out due to regular use.
Being locked in the trunk can be a scary experience for anyone. Some people get locked in their trunks by accident and others are pushed into it by criminals as part of an armed theft. This is the reason why keeping a spare key at home in the home or with a trusted friend is an excellent idea.
If you have an extra key, use it to open the trunk first before calling for help. Consider keeping the spare car key in your pocket or in a bag you can easily reach if you are trapped in the trunk.
Some modern cars come with a trunk release button that can be pressed from the cabin to open the trunk without keys. This is an excellent feature to have however it is only functional when the car is stopped and are able to reach the lever.
You may also be able to access the trunk of your vehicle folding back the rear seats. The latch is typically located in the middle console, or underneath the carpet. You can take your keys from the trunk and leave the car without damaging it by opening the trunk this manner.
If you have no spare key and don't want to risk breaking into your car, you can try using a wire hanger. Bend the hanger and twist it to create an incredibly small hook. Then, put the hook between the backseat and trunk of your vehicle. If there's a lever or button that opens the trunk and you want to use the hook to push or pull it. It may be necessary to repeat this procedure many times in order to open your trunk.
Locked in the Ignition
A key can be locked in the ignition due to many causes, such as issues with the ignition cylinder as well as its pins and teeth, or the ignition switch. Often, the problem isn't as serious as it might appear at first and you can resolve it without the need for professional locksmith or auto repair.
Before you panic, ensure that your vehicle is in neutral or in park (many modern cars with automatics won't allow you to remove the key when they're not in a parked position). Try move your gear shift from one side to the other. This will loosen the springs and pins in the cylinder making it easier to slide out your key.
Over time, the ignition could become sluggish and stuck, especially if you don't use it frequently. Try spraying a silicon locklubricant into the ignition and door locks in the event of this happening. extra resources will help loosen up any dirt particles obstructing the keyhole, and it can be a way to prevent future problems.
If this fails, you could need spray WD40 into the ignition and then move the key. This will loosen up any dirt particles hindering the key from turning and allow you to re-insert the key and turn it back. If you aren't getting any results, there's possibility that the key is too worn to engage the pins in the cylinder. You will need to replace the key as soon as you can to avoid problems in the future.
It is also important to note that if you're unable to remove your key or it breaks off inside the ignition, you should contact an emergency locksmith right away. They will have the tools to retrieve a damaged key and often create an entirely new car key right on the spot, too. They can also identify if the ignition cylinder of your car is affected by any recalls, technical service bulletins or other issues.
Making a Claim
Whether it makes sense to make an insurance claim for an important car repair depends on a number of factors. It is primarily dependent on the type of coverage that the car owner has. If the car has comprehensive coverage, which covers damages from events outside the driver's control, it will likely be covered by the policy. However, it will also depend on the deductible amount, as well as how much the car will ultimately cost to repair.
The owner of the vehicle will have to contact their insurance company, and have the claims department look at the damage to make sure it will be covered. The car owner must take photographs and submit an official police report.
After the insurance company has inspected the vehicle, it's likely that they will make repairs. In some cases insurance companies might send the repair bill to the mechanic directly, but in others the car owner has to pay the damages out of pocket, and then file a claim.
If the car was damaged while being parked on a street, there may be witnesses or video footage. If this is the case, then it is easier to identify the culprit and make them pay for the damage.
If the key scuffed the primer but did not penetrate the metal or the primer, the vehicle owner could be able to recuperate the cost of repair at a small claims court. A claim for keying does not impact insurance rates as much compared to a claim for a major accident however it can have an impact.