Key Car Repair - What to Do If Your Keys Get Lost, Damaged, Or Stolen
It's easy to overlook the car key for granted until it gets damaged, lost or stolen. It's crucial to know the process of getting your keys repaired and what to do in the event that you're left without.
Minor scratches can be repaired with touch-up paint, but more serious ones may require a professional mobile detailing service. They have the right materials and skills to repair them effectively.
Key Marks or Scratches
It can be a traumatic experience to have your car keyed. It could not only affect the appearance of the vehicle, but also the cost of reselling. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to lessen the impact of this kind of vandalism. This includes assessing damage and then deciding on the most appropriate repair method, and locating a professional to finish the job.
The first step to repairing a scratch on a key is to thoroughly clean it. This will eliminate any wax or dirt and allow you to assess the extent of the damage with greater precision. Scratches range from superficial to deep, with the latter affects the paint and the clear coat. The more severe scratches could expose the bare metal of your vehicle. More extensive scratch repairs usually involve the use of rub compound, sandpaper and car polish.
To repair a key scratch, it's best to contact an auto detailing expert on the go. They'll have the expertise of the field, the expertise, and the equipment to repair the damage efficiently and effectively. In addition to ensuring that the scratches are properly repaired they will also apply a protective coating to the damaged areas.
Get references before hiring a professional car detailing service. You can also conduct 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. You should also check if your insurance company has a preferred list of professionals to choose from.
Keyed Car Repair
It can be a frightening experience to have your car keyed, whether it is because of reckless driving or an accident. It's not just a threat to the appearance of your car however, it could cause corrosion and other surface damage. In some instances the damage to your car can make it unsafe to drive.
This type of damage is covered by comprehensive insurance. However, you are still responsible for the deductible. To get the most out of your comprehensive policy be sure to document any damage by taking photos prior to making any repairs. Contact your insurance provider and schedule an inspection with an adjuster for claims. The damage will be assessed and then repaired.
Locked in the Trunk
Being locked in your trunk is among the most common problems car owners face. When closing the car, it's not uncommon to leave the keys in the trunk. This can happen when someone is distracted or in a rush. Anyone can find themselves in this situation, and it's frustrating.
It is important to remain calm and consider what you can do without damaging your vehicle in order to fix the issue. Call content if you are unsure of your ability to open the trunk. They can help you determine whether the lock on your trunk is been damaged or worn-out due to frequent use.
Being locked in the trunk is a terrifying experience for anyone. Some people are locked in their trunks accidentally, while others are forced into it by criminals as part of an armed robbery. It's a good idea to keep a spare key at home or with a trusted person.
If you have an extra car key, use it to open the trunk prior to calling for professional assistance. Keep the spare car key in your pocket or in a bag is easily accessible if you are locked in the trunk.
Certain cars of the present 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 only when 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. You can usually find the latch for these in the middle console or somewhere beneath the carpet. If you can open the trunk of your car in this manner you'll be able take your keys and get out of the trunk without any damage to your vehicle.
If you don't have a spare key, and you don't want your car to be smashed into, try an electric hanger. Bend the hanger, then twist the other end into a small hook. Then, you can place the hook between the backseat and trunk of your car. If there's a lever or a button that opens the trunk and you want to use the hook to push or pull it. It may be necessary to repeat this process many times in order 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 become stuck in the ignition. The majority of the time, the issue is not as serious as it appears at first and you can fix it without the need for professional locksmith or auto repair.
Before you panic, make sure that your vehicle is set in neutral or in park (many modern cars with automatics won't allow you to take the key off when they're not in a parking position). You can also try jiggling the gear shift from side to side. This could loosen pins as well as springs within the cylinder to make it easier for you to remove your key.
The ignition may become blocked and gunky over time, especially if it is not used often. Try spraying a silicon lock-lubricant into the ignition and door locks in the event of this happening. This will allow you to remove any dirt particles that are blocking the keyhole, and can help stop future problems from occurring.
If this doesn't help try spraying WD40 in the ignition and then wiggle your key. This will break up any dirt particles that may be preventing the ignition key from turning. It could also let you to insert and turn the key. If you don't get any results, there's an opportunity that the key itself is just too worn to engage the pins in the cylinder. If this is the case, you'll have to replace the key as soon as is possible to avoid this problem in the future.
It is also important to remember that if you are unable to remove your key, or if it breaks off from the ignition, you must call an emergency locksmith immediately. They have the tools to extract a broken key and can often produce a new car key on the spot, too. They can also determine if the ignition cylinder of your car is affected by recalls or technical service bulletins as well as other issues.
Making a Claim
If it is a good idea to make an insurance claim for an important car repair is contingent on a few factors. It all depends on the type of insurance the owner of the vehicle has. If the vehicle is covered by comprehensive coverage which covers damage caused by events that are beyond the driver's reach, then it will likely be covered. However, it will also depend on the amount of the deductible as well as the much the car will eventually cost to fix.
The owner of the vehicle will have to contact their insurance company and request that the claims department look at the damage to ensure it will be covered. The car owner should also take photographs and submit an insurance claim form.
After the insurance company has inspected the vehicle, they will likely pay for the repairs. In some cases the insurance company will send the repair bill directly to the mechanic, however in other situations the car owner must pay for the damages out of pocket and file a claim with the insurance company.
If the vehicle was damaged while being parked on a street, there may be witnesses or video footage. If this is the case it will be much simpler to identify and penalize the perpetrator.
If the key was scratched and did not penetrate all the way to the primer or even the metal, then the car owner might be able to recover costs of the repair in small claims court. Generally speaking, a claim involving keying won't increase insurance rates as much a bigger accident-related claim will, however it will still affect the premium.