What to do if your car key is stolen?

If your car key is stolen, that's obviously annoying enough. You probably don't experience this very often. Because of this, it can raise a number of questions. What should you do when this happens? How do you get new car keys? Is this covered under car insurance? Does it affect your bonus-malus position and claim-free years?

Car key stolen

If your car key is stolen, always report it to the police. You can also have the stolen key(s) programmed out at the car dealer where you bought the car. This will prevent thieves from taking the car. Do you not have a spare key and it is not possible to move the car? Then it is wise to call your car dealer or the ANWB. They can make sure that the car can be opened and towed to the dealer if necessary.

The reimbursement depends on the coverage chosen on your car insurance. If you have car insurance with third-party coverage, theft of the car key(s) is not covered. A limited liabilityor all-risk coverage usually provides coverage for new keys and replacing the locks. Usually there is a maximum reimbursement and you pay a deductible first. These amounts can be found in the policy conditions and do not affect your claim-free years and no-claim discount.
It is possible that, in case of theft of car key(s), an insurer demands that also the locks have to be replaced. If you do not do this, the car will no longer be insured from that moment on.