Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how organized you are, there's the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. It's important to be prepared for this scenario.

It is recommended to contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on your vehicle. These professionals can make a replacement key to fit your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There aren't many things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause lots of stress and even lead to unwanted calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are a meticulously organized person or not the loss of your keys can happen to anyone.

The best-case scenario would be that they appear exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). However the situation could be much more serious. It is important to stay calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

It's also important to remember that the majority of things don't go missing forever, and they're often found in some very unusual places. Before resorting to extreme measures it's recommended to go back and look over your steps. To do this it's a good idea to carry a flashlight to aid you in searching dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend to help you search for you, because a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you are unable to locate your keys after retracing the steps and checking common places such as key hooks, look inside pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently wore or used. If you've lost them at the store, talk to others who are customers or employees to see if they have noticed anything out of the ordinary.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem obvious but it is important to be thorough. Take out all pockets that you carry around such as those in jackets and purses and be sure to feel around every zippered area. It's also recommended to go through the recycling and trash bins in case your keys got lost in your bag and were crushed by something else.

It might be beneficial to retrace your steps once time and look around for areas where you are sure they aren't, such as the freezer or refrigerator. Many items are lost a car key when we search for something, but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a long day and you're eager to go home, put on your comfy sweats, eat pizza, and watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys have disappeared.

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

Under the car is another common place to hide. If you decide to hide your keys under the car ensure that you can open the gas cap on your car from outside. If not, a burglar might be able see the keys you have hidden under your car.

You can also store your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Just be careful that you don't secure them too tight as you might accidentally smash them when you close the car door.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we're a little bit distracted. You may be doing a quick errand, and you have left your keys in the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to carry the food items. It happens to every person.

If you lose something, it's important to call the police right away. You can then make a police report to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your house or at the store or in a public place.

Before you do this, I ve lost my Car keys what can i do be sure to retrace your steps. Recreate the scene from the time you last saw your keys in your mind. Asking people around you whether they'i ve lost my car keys What can i do seen your keys is also a great idea. This will help keep your vehicle secure and prevent others from stealing it. (This could lead to additional expenses such as new locks for doors and ignition). It is a good idea should you have a spare car key, to make a duplicate in the event you lose it.

5. Call an expert locksmith

People often forget where they placed their keys, especially when they're busy or distracted. There are a few basic tips you can use to assist.

Begin by retracing your steps and looking for places you think you may have left them. If you are still unable to locate them, make sure you check your car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

Contact a locksmith to inquire if they can find your keys. They may be able cut you a key or change your locks, if needed. They also have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to provide proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on your situation you may have to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which can take several days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

It is possible to lose your car keys at times and it could cause you to lose your day. It might be that you were running a quick task and left keys on the seat, or perhaps you put your key down for a moment to grab something and replacing lost keys to a car track of it.

Notifying a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is important. This creates a paper trail and helps keep people from using your vehicle without permission. This also helps you avoid being penalized.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might cover them since they're considered personal property. It's best to call your agent and confirm that you're covered before making a claim.

You should consider buying the purchase of a Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid the stress of having to replace your car keys and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes you can lose your keys at the time you least expect it. You could be out on a quick errand, and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long workday and forget where you placed the keys.

There are ways to stop this happening again. The best method for doing this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices are attached to your wallet or keyring and can be connected to an app on your phone. Once you open the app it will ring or flash to help locate your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions, so that other people can help you find them if they are out of range.

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always put them in the same place every time you get home. It doesn't matter whether you put them in a bowl on the table or hang them on a hook near the door. Making this a habit will help you locate your keys in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

It is crucial to inform your insurance company immediately if you lose your keys to your car or if they're stolen. You can be assured that your claim will get dealt with properly in the event of any damage to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard key (which does not have chips) you can simply get an alternative from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the fastest and most affordable solution.

It may be more difficult for vehicles that have smart keys and require an electronic fob. You'll have go to your local dealer to obtain a replacement key. This could cost you up to $200, based on the model and make of your vehicle.

To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key and keep it somewhere different from your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your house or office, especially the place where you are likely to lose things.