Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Whatever way you are, there comes the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. It's important to be prepared for this situation.

Depending on your vehicle the first call you must make is to a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can make an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more painful than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are an organized person or not losing your keys could occur to anyone.

The best-case scenario is for them to turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). In reality the situation could be much more grave. If you lose your keys, it's essential to be calm and not panic. You can then retrace the steps.

Remember that many things are not lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Before resorting to extreme measures it's a good idea for you to go back and trace your steps. Bring a flashlight with you to search dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to join you in your search for a second pair of eyes can be helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you are unable to locate your keys after retracing the steps and examining places you've used like key hooks check inside bags, pockets and jackets that you recently worn or used. If you've lost your keys at a store check with other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something unusual.

Examining your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might seem like common sense, but you should do it thoroughly. Take out all pockets you carry such as those in purses and jackets and be sure to look around every zippered area. It's also an excellent idea to go through the trash and recycling bins in case keys got lost in your bag and were crushed by something else.

You can also retrace your steps and search places you know the item isn't in, like the fridge or freezer. Many times, items go missing when we reach for them but then take them off and Lost My car key forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are now ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, eat pizza and binge on your favorite TV show. You realize that your keys to your car are missing.

While you're walking around take a look at areas that are overly cluttered like tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothes. You could also leave your keys in a congested space, like the door handle or in the refrigerator.

Another popular hiding place is under the car. If you decide to do this be sure you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, thieves could be able to spot you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a corner in the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to place them too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you close the door.

4. Call the police

We are prone to lose things when we're distracted. You might be running an errand that is quick, and you have left your keys in the car seat. Perhaps you require two hands to pick up a bag of groceries. Whatever the reason, it happens to everyone.

It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you have lost anything. This way, you will be able to submit a claim and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your home at the grocery store, or at a location that is public.

Be sure to retrace every step before you begin. Recreate the scene from the time you last glimpsed your keys in your head. Asking your friends and family if they've seen your keys is also a good idea. This will help keep your car safe and stop others from stealing it (which could lead to additional expenses like new ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key it's always recommended to create a copy of it in the event that this occurs again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's common for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they're distracted or in a rush. There are several things you can do to help.

Retrace the steps you took and searching in the places in which you think they could be. If you're unable to locate them, consider checking in the car itself. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys in the visor or on the keychain.

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

Make sure you have proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. It could take several days for a dealer to send you a new key, according to your particular situation.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are occasions when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a massive damper on your day. You may have been running an errand that was quick and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you could have sat down to grab something for a moment and then lost my car key (why not try here) track.

Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as quickly as you can is important. This will result in a paper record and prevent others from using your vehicle without permission. It also prevents you from getting punished.

Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if you've reported them as lost keys to my car to local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to call your agent to confirm that you are insured prior to filing an insurance claim.

You should consider buying an Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will eliminate the stress of having to replace your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys at the time you least expect it. You could be out for a quick errand and forget to put them down on the seat or you might be getting out of your car after a long day at work, and don't remember where you put them.

There are fortunately ways to stop this from happening in the future. The best method for doing this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices are connected to your keyring or wallet and can be connected to an app on the phone. The app will ring or flash when you open it, to help you locate your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow others can assist you to find them if they are out of range.

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to place them in the same spot each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if put them in an entry table or an iron by the door. Making this a habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a New Key

It's important to notify your insurance company immediately in the event that you lose your keys to your car or if they're stolen. That way you'll be able to rest at ease knowing that your claim will be handled correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can simply get an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and least expensive option.

For more modern cars with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it might be a little more difficult. You'll likely need go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership to get a new key. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle this could cost you upwards of $200.

To avoid this, you should keep a spare set of keys in a different place than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your office or home especially in areas where you tend to lose things.