What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

Things get lost key what to do in the whirlwind of life: kids, errands and work, socializing with friends, and so on. It's not always the big things. Sometimes it's just the small things, like keys.

For most cars keys, a new one can be made at your local hardware store with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a low-cost option.

Retract your steps

It can be a nightmare to lose your only car keys and be unable to enter your vehicle. You may lose time, money and peace of mind. The first thing you need to do when you lose the sole key to your car is to remain calm. Panicking will not help you locate your keys quicker, and it could even make the situation worse.

Begin by trying to remember when you last saw them. It could be as easy as putting them in your pocket when you got out of the car to go on an run, or they could be missing when you were bringing groceries inside. You can find your keys by following your steps.

If trying to retrace your steps doesn't work, you can try noting down all the places you have been throughout the day. This can jiggle your brain and give you the clue you need to find your keys. After you've written down all possible places where your keys might be, double check each place again. Sometimes keys "drift" to the floor, side or underneath something and you may be in a position to retrieve them right where you left them.

Check Inside Your Car

It wasn't long ago that misplacing or losing a car keys was not a big deal. In the past, a majority of people kept a spare key in a small box attached to their car. Nevertheless, as cars become more technologically advanced keys are more likely to be lost. Replacing a lost or stolen car key can take several steps and cost hundreds of dollars based on the car's type and the year of manufacture. That's why it's important to have a backup in case you lose your car's only key.

Before you start worrying about losing your car's only key take your breath and try to stay calm. Once you've got your emotions under control, you can start working through the steps. Retrace your steps, and try to remember when you last held your keys. It's not uncommon to hold your keys while you grab other items, and sometimes they end on the floor of your car where you don't even see them.

The next step is to thoroughly search your vehicle, particularly the areas where you typically keep them. You might have left them on the dashboard when you got out of your car to run into a store or perhaps you walked into your bag to get snacks and accidentally threw them out.

Examine your purses, pockets and bags. It's easy to forget about things that are in the pockets of your coat, or in a large bag, so make sure to empty them and carefully examine every crevice.

Get help from a locksmith when you're unable to find your keys. If you own an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith can usually create a new one right on the spot. However, if you've got an older key fob that includes a chip, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership in order to receive an exchange.

Make sure you are aware of your hide spots

It's easy to forget your keys when you're busy. If you were hurrying to leave or distracted by a meal while you talked on the phone or forgot them, it's easy to lose them. The good news is that most people have spare keys that they keep in their house or office that can be easily located in the right place. It is important to check every place where you've put your spare key. This includes obvious places such as a backpack or purse or a pocket on the sofa, a pile of mail on your table, or a drawer on your dresser. Request a friend to do the same.

There are also magnetic boxes and mini-vaults designed to attach to your vehicle to allow you to keep a spare key inside it. These are ideal for hiding keys since they won't fall off when you drive on bumps and will protect your key against the elements. A lot of these storage devices also feature combination locks so that even if the key to a relative, they can't open it without you.

A fake rock with an enclosed compartment is another way to hide keys. This is a great option for outdoor areas, lost Key what to do however you should be aware that burglars are often on the lookout for these items. If you decide to use this method, you could employ a dark duct tap to make it more difficult for thieves to see.

The hood is one last location to check. If you have keys that open the cap on your gas tank, this can be an ideal spot to hide it as it won't be as visible. Use a strong tape to prevent the key from falling off or scratching the paint of your car when you remove it.

There are ways to minimize the impact of keys missing from your car in your day-to-day life. You can locate your keys by retracing Your steps and examining the most frequent hiding spots. Contacting a locksmith in your area will also help you avoid wasting time and money.

Contact a locksmith

If you've lost the car key and you've lost it, you must contact locksmith. They can assist you in recovering it quickly and will also provide you with advice on how to avoid this happening again in the future. If you know someone who owns a car key duplication shop nearby, that's another option, but keep in mind that these kinds of businesses typically require the specific make, model and year of your car in order to duplicate keys correctly.

You'll need to visit your dealer if your vehicle is an older model or uses smart fobs. This can be costly particularly when the dealer needs to purchase a new key for your vehicle. It can also take a few days or weeks.

Most people aren't aware that locksmiths can provide the same service at only a fraction of the cost of a dealership. Most insurance policies cover locksmith costs and towing costs in the event of a lost the keys to my car key or stolen key. Some even offer roadside assistance that can provide professionals to assist you with getting into your vehicle.

If you have comprehensive auto insurance, you should be checking your coverage before making a decision to purchase from a dealership. It's essential to report your keys as soon as possible, too. This will help to ensure that your vehicle is not used without permission and you will be protected in the case of a robbery or assault. The act of reporting your keys will enable police officers to be on the lookout for anyone who may try to use your vehicle for illegal purposes. In the event of a worst-case scenario you could be protected from criminal charges if someone attempts to steal your vehicle. It is important to not panic if you lose the keys to your car. Follow the steps above and, if you need to ask a friend or family member to assist.