Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You will lose your keys at some point, no matter how organized you are. It is important to be prepared for this situation.

You should call a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on your vehicle. These experts can design a replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause an anxiety-filled day and even lead to unpleasant calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone, regardless of how organized you are.

The best-case scenario would be that they appear exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). But, in reality, things tend to take a more dire direction. If you lose your keys, it's essential to remain calm and follow the steps.

It is also important to remember that most things aren't lost key replacement near me forever, and they are often found in some very odd places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it is an ideal idea to go back and look over your steps. Bring a flashlight with you to search dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to help you search for a second pair of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you can't find your keys after retracing steps and examining common areas like key hooks examine the pockets, bags and jackets you've recently wore or used. If you've lost them at the store, ask other customers or workers to see if they have noticed anything out of the ordinary.

It may seem obvious to look in your pockets and bags for your missing car keys however, it's crucial to do it thoroughly. Empty all of the pockets you carry including those in purses and jackets and be sure to look around every zippered area. It's also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycle bins in case keys fell out of your bag and were crushed by something else.

It could be beneficial to retrace your steps once again and search places where you know they're not like the freezer or refrigerator. Many items get lost when we reach for something, but then we take it away and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a tough day and are eager to get home, change into your comfy sweats, eat some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite TV show. You realize that your car keys are missing.

While you're going through your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered like tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothes. You could also leave your keys in a busy area, such as in the door handle or in the refrigerator.

Under the car is another common place to hide. However, if you choose to do this, ensure that you are able to open 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 can also hide your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be cautious not to place them too tightly, as they could be crushed when you close the door.

4. Contact the police

We can lose things when we are distracted. You may be on the run for a few minutes and put your keys on the seat or you might just require two hands to pick up a bag of food items. It happens to every person.

It is important to contact the police immediately if you lose anything. You can then make a police report to protect your vehicle from theft. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your home, at the store, or somewhere else public.

Before you start make sure you go back to your steps. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from when you last observed them. Asking people around you whether they've seen your keys is a good idea. This will help to keep your car safe and also stop other people from using it (which could lead to additional costs like replacing ignition and door locks). It is a good idea if you have an extra car key to make a duplicate in the event you lose it.

5. Contact a Locksmith

It's common for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they are busy or distracted. There are a few ways you can assist.

Begin by retracing your steps, and then searching for places you think you may have abandoned them. If you're still not able to locate them, make sure you check your car. Many people lose their keys that hang from the keychain or in the visor and it's worth having a quick look.

Call a locksmith and ask if they can find your keys. They might be able to cut keys for you or alter your locks, if needed. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you call a locksmith. You can do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on the situation, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership, which can take several days.

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 a quick errand and accidentally left keys on the seat, or maybe you set your key down for a second to grab something and lost track of it.

It is crucial to report lost car keys keys as soon as possible to the police. This will result in a paper record and prevent others from using your car without permission. This can also ensure that you don't get fined.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might be able to take them in as personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you're covered prior to filing a claim.

Think about buying an Bluetooth tracking device, such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you the headache of replacing 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 would. You could be out on an urgent errand, only to you forget to put them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your car after a long working day and not remember the place you put the keys.

There are ways to avoid this from happening again. The best way to do this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be attached to a keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will ring or flash when you open it, to aid you in finding your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions to allow others can assist you to locate them if you are not in range.

You can also avoid losing your keys by putting them in the same place every time you come home. It doesn't matter whether you place them in an entry table or a hook by the door. Making this an habit will make it easier to find your keys in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

It's important to notify your insurance company right away when you lose your keys to your car, or if they are stolen. So you'll be able to rest assured that your claim will be handled properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard key (which does not have chip) you can simply get a replacement at any hardware store or locksmith. This is the fastest and cheapest solution.

For more modern cars with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it might be a bit more challenging. It is likely that you will need to go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership to get an updated key. Based on the model and lost key replacement near me make of your vehicle this could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.

To avoid this, keep a spare set of keys in a different place than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your house or office particularly in the areas that you tend to drop things.