What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

In the whirlwind of life - kids, errands, socializing with friends, and work things get lost. Sometimes it's the small stuff like keys.

A new key for most automobiles can be made at your local hardware store if you have proof of ownership. This is a low-cost alternative.

Retract your steps

There is nothing more frustrating than losing your only car key and not being able to get into your car. It can cost you time, money and peace of mind. The first thing you should do when you lose the only key to your vehicle is to be calm. Doing your best to panic isn't going to help you locate your keys faster, and could even make the situation worse.

Begin by attempting to remember the last time you had your keys. It could be as easy as putting them in your pocket when you hopped out of the car to run an run, G28carkeys.co.uk or they could be missing when you were bringing groceries inside. The process of retracing your steps will aid in finding your lost keys in a matter of minutes.

If trying to retrace your steps doesn't work, you can try noting down all the places you've been throughout the day. This will help you remember where you were and may give you an idea of where your keys are. Once you've written down all possible spots your keys could be, make sure you examine each location. You may find that keys "drift" on the floor, side or under something, and you can pick them right where you left them.

Check Inside Your Car

It wasn't too long ago that misplacing, or even losing a car keys was not a huge issue. In the past people stored spare keys in a small, tin-like box that was attached to their car. Nowadays, however, vehicles are getting more technologically advanced and that means the keys are more likely to go missing. Replacing a stolen or lost car key could require several steps and could cost you hundreds of dollars, based on the kind of vehicle and year of the model. It's why it's essential to have a backup key in the event that you lose your sole car key.

Take your time before you panic about losing your one car key. Try to remain calm. Once you've got your emotions under control you can go through the steps to locate it. Retrace your steps and reflect on the last time you held keys in your palm. It's common to juggle keys while you are grabbing something else, and they can end up on the car floor, where you can't be able to see them.

The next thing to do is thoroughly search your car, especially the places you normally place them. You might have left them on the dashboard as you stepped out of your car to go into a shop or maybe you walked into your bag to get a snack and accidentally knocked them out.

You should also check your pockets, purses and bags. You might not be aware of your deep pockets or big bags.

Get help from a locksmith in case you are unable to locate your keys. If you have an old-fashioned metal key without any electronic components, you can obtain an instant replacement. If you have a key fob that has a chip and an older model, you will be required to contact the dealer to request a new one.

Make sure you are aware of your hide spots

It's easy to lose your keys when you're working. Whether you were rushing to leave, distracted by a sandwich while on the phone or forgot them, it's easy to lose keys. The good news is that most people have spare keys they keep in their home or office that can be located in the right place. It is essential to look over every place where you've put your spare key. This includes obvious places like a backpack or purse, a pocket inside the sofa, a pile of mail on your table, or even a drawer in your dresser. Have a friend do the same.

There are also several magnetic boxes and mini-vaults designed to attach to your vehicle so that you can store a spare key in it. These are great to hide keys since they won't fall off accidentally when driving over bumps and they also protect your key from the elements. Many of these storage devices also have combination locks, so that even if you give the key to a relative they aren't able to access it without your permission.

Another trick to hide keys is to buy fake rocks with a compartment that is hidden. This is a great solution for outdoor areas, however you must be aware that burglars are often looking for these items. If you choose to employ this technique, you can make use of a dark duct to make it more difficult for thieves to see.

The hood is a final place to check. It's a good spot to hide keys to the gas cap if you have one. It won't be visible. Be sure to use a strong piece of tape to ensure the key doesn't come off or scratch the paint on your car when you go to remove it.

Car keys lost can be a huge hassle, but there are ways to reduce the impact they have on your day-to-day life. You can find your keys by Retracting Your Steps and looking for ivimall.com the most common hiding places. Calling a local locksmith can help you avoid wasting time and money.

Contact a locksmith

Unless you have a spare set of keys the best thing to do if you lose your only car key is contact locksmith. They can assist you in recovering the key quickly and give you suggestions on how to avoid this happening again in the future. You could also contact the local key duplication business. But, they'll require the exact model, make, model, and year of your car to duplicate a key.

If your car is a newer model, or has a smart key fob, you'll have to visit your dealer for a replacement. This can be expensive particularly if they have to purchase the correct key for your car and can take days or even weeks.

One thing that many people don't know is that a professional locksmith can usually provide the same service as a dealership, but at a fraction of the cost. Most insurance policies cover locksmith charges and towing in the event of a lost key or stolen key. Some even provide roadside assistance, which can send experts to assist you with getting into your car.

If you have comprehensive automobile insurance, it's worth reviewing your coverage prior to making a decision to purchase from a dealership. It is also recommended to inform the police as soon as you can. This will ensure that your vehicle is not used without permission and you are protected in the event of a robbery, or assault. The act of reporting your keys will allow police officers to be on looking for anyone who may try to use your vehicle for illegal purposes. In the worst case scenario, you could be protected from criminal charges if someone attempts to steal your vehicle. It is important to not be frightened if you lose your only car keys. Follow the steps above and, if needed ask a friend or family member to assist.