Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Whatever way you are, there will come a time when you lose your car keys. It is important to be prepared for this scenario.

You should contact an auto locksmith or a dealership, based on your vehicle. These experts can create an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There aren't many things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even lead you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that happens to everyone regardless of how organized you are.

The ideal scenario is that they appear exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). However the situation could be much more serious. It is important to keep your cool and return to your path if you lose your keys.

Be aware that a lot of things are not lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Before taking drastic measures, it's an ideal idea to go back and trace your steps. To accomplish this, it's a good idea to carry a flashlight to help you find dark corners and drawers. You can also invite a family or friend member to join you in your search for a second pair of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing steps and checking common places such as key hooks, check inside bags, pockets and jackets that you recently wore or used. If you've lost them in a store, ask employees or customers to see if they have noticed something unusual.

It might seem obvious to check your pockets and bags for keys to your car that are missing however, it's crucial to do so thoroughly. Clean out all pockets you have on you, including those in jackets and purses and look around every zippered area. You should also look in the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have been snatched from your bag.

You could also retrace your footsteps and search in places you know the item is not, such as the freezer or fridge. Many things are lost when we reach for something, but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are now ready to head home put on your comfy sweats, order pizza and binge watch your favorite show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing.

While you're going through your steps, check overly cluttered spaces like desks and tabletops and also the pockets of your clothes. It's also common to leave keys in a crowded spot such as inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure to thoroughly check those places.

Under the car is another common place to hide. If you decide to do this, make sure you access the gas cap from outside your car as a thief could easily see you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a corner in the dashboard or lost Car keys replacement near me under the seat. Be careful not to put them too tightly as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the door.

4. Call the police

We can lose things when we are distracted. You could be running a quick errand and you have put your keys on the seat, or you might just require two hands to pick up a bag of food items. It happens to all of us.

It is important to contact the police immediately if you lose any item. This way, you will be able to make a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside your home, at the store, or at a location that is public.

Make sure you retrace all of your steps before you begin. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the last time you saw them. It's also an excellent idea to ask others in the vicinity whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car secure and prevent others from stealing it (which could result in additional costs like replacing a lost car key ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key, it is always recommended to create a copy of it in case this happens to you again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's not uncommon for people to forget where they've put their keys, especially when they're distracted or in a hurry. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help.

Retrace your steps, and then searching for areas you think you might have abandoned them. If you're unable to find them, try checking in the car itself. Many people lose their keys that hang on the keychain or inside the visor, so it's worth taking a look.

Contact a locksmith and inquire if they can find your keys. They might be able to cut you a new key or even alter the locks on your home if needed. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to provide proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. This includes your registration or title. It could take several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key according to your particular situation.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are instances when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a major damper on your day. It could be because you were running an run and forgot to put them on the seat or maybe you put your key down for a moment to grab something, but lost the track of it.

It is crucial to report lost keys as soon as possible to the police. This will create a paper record and will stop other people from using your car without permission. This also helps you avoid getting fined.

Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if you have reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to call your agent to confirm that you're covered before making claims.

Think about buying the purchase of a Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will eliminate the stress of having to replace your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least think about it. You could be on the run and forget to put them down on the seat or may be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work, and don't remember where you put them.

There are fortunately ways to prevent this from happening in the near future. One of the best is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your keyring or wallet, and can connect with an app on your phone. When you launch the app it will sound or flash to help locate your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions, so that others can assist you to locate them if you are out of range.

You can also make sure you don't lose your keys by always putting them in the same spot each time you get home. Whether it's on your entry table or on a hook near the door, establishing an habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

If you've lost car keys replacement near Me your vehicle keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance company immediately. This way you'll be able to rest at ease knowing that your claim will be dealt with in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you own a standard key (which doesn't have a chip) you can purchase a replacement at any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.

It may be more difficult for cars equipped with an electronic key and an electronic fob. You'll need go to your local dealer to purchase a new key. Depending on the make and model of your car, this could cost you upwards of $200.

To prevent this from happening, keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a good idea, especially in areas where you lose things.