I get why you’d want to stash the valet key somewhere on the car, but honestly, taping it under the seat makes me nervous. That’s practically the first place someone’s gonna look if they break in, right? I’ve heard stories about people finding “hidden” keys in the wheel well or glove box... doesn’t end well.
I’ve always just kept mine in my wallet. Yeah, it’s a pain if I forget my wallet, but at least if someone gets into the car, they don’t have instant access to everything. Guess it comes down to what you’re more worried about—getting stranded or getting your car stolen.
One thing I noticed—Progressive’s roadside has bailed me out a couple times when I locked myself out. Not the fastest response, but they got the job done. I still keep the valet key handy, but I’m not sure I’d risk leaving it in the car itself. Maybe I’m just paranoid after hearing too many horror stories.
Curious if anyone’s actually had their car swiped because of a hidden valet key. Seems like a gamble, but hey, sometimes you gotta pick your poison.
I get the temptation to stash a spare key somewhere on the car, but honestly, I’d be way too anxious about it. Like you said, thieves know all the classic hiding spots. I actually had a friend whose car got stolen because the valet key was taped under the rear bumper—didn’t even slow the thief down. I just keep mine in a zipped pocket in my backpack. If I lock myself out, Progressive’s roadside isn’t lightning fast, but at least I know my car’s not an easy target. For me, it’s just not worth the risk.
I actually had a friend whose car got stolen because the valet key was taped under the rear bumper—didn’t even slow the thief down.
That’s exactly why I never recommend hiding keys on the car. Thieves know every trick in the book, and honestly, insurance won’t always cover theft if you made it that easy. I get that Progressive roadside isn’t always speedy, but paying a few bucks for peace of mind beats risking a claim denial or higher premiums later. I’d rather wait an hour than deal with a stolen car and a headache with my insurer.
Honestly, hiding keys anywhere on the car just seems like asking for trouble these days. I’ve heard way too many stories about people getting burned by that—like the valet key under the bumper thing, or even those fake rocks for house keys. Thieves aren’t dumb, and they’ve seen every trick out there.
I totally get the frustration with waiting for roadside help, though. I’ve been stuck in a grocery store parking lot for almost two hours once because Progressive had a backlog. Super annoying, but I kept thinking, at least my car’s not getting jacked while I’m sitting here. Plus, if you leave a key on or in the car, insurance companies can sometimes call that “negligence.” It’s not always spelled out in the policy, but I’ve heard about claims getting denied or people having to fight tooth and nail over it.
One thing I started doing is keeping a spare key in my wallet, just in case. Not the full fob, but one of those flat emergency keys that unlocks the door. It’s not perfect, but at least it’s not taped somewhere obvious. Another trick—if you’re worried about losing your key while out (like hiking or at the beach), see if your insurance app or membership lets you pre-schedule roadside ahead of time. Some let you do it online, so you’re not stuck calling when you’re already stressed.
Also, if you’ve got friends or family nearby, maybe leave a spare with them. It’s old school, but at least you know exactly where your backup is, and it’s not in a spot where a thief would look. Just my two cents. I’d rather be a little inconvenienced now than have to explain to my parents why the car’s gone because I tried to be clever with a hidden key.
I hear you on the hidden key thing—my uncle once tried the “magnetic box under the wheel well” trick and, surprise, his car was gone the next morning. I’ve never thought about pre-scheduling roadside help, though. Has anyone actually tried that with Progressive or another company? Curious if it really speeds things up or if it’s just another app feature that sounds better than it works.
