Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

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

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

1. Retract Your Steps

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

The ideal scenario is that they show up exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). In reality it is possible for the situation to be more serious. It is essential to stay calm and return to your path if you lose your keys.

Be aware that a lot of things aren't lost keys to car no spare forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. So, before taking extreme measures, it's a good idea to revisit your steps and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight with you to look through dark corners and drawers. You could also invite a family or friend member to search with you for a second pair of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking in the usual places, such as key hooks, look for them inside of bags, pockets, and jackets you wore or wore recently. If you lost them in a store, ask others who are customers or employees to see if they noticed something unusual.

It may seem obvious to look in your pockets and bags for your missing car keys however, it's crucial to do it thoroughly. Clean out all pockets you have on you including purses and jackets and check every zippered space. It's also a good idea to comb through the recycling and trash bins in case keys got lost in your bag and got crushed by something else.

It might be beneficial to retrace your steps once again and look for places you know they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Sometimes, items are lost when we go to them, but then take them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are now ready to head home put on your comfy sweats, order pizza and on your favorite TV show. You realize that your car keys have disappeared.

Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are too packed. It's also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a congested area like inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've checked these areas.

Under the car is another popular hiding spot. If you decide to hide your keys under the car, make sure that you can easily open the gas cap on your car from outside. If not, a burglar could be able to spot you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You can also hide your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Just be careful that you don't place them too tight as you might accidentally crush them as you shut the car door.

4. Call the Police

Sometimes, we forget things because we're a bit distracted. You may be running an errand and put your keys in the seat, or you may require two hands free to pick up a bag of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to everyone.

When you lose something, it's crucial to notify the police right away. This way, you can make a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your house at the grocery store, or at a location that is public.

Before you do this, be sure to go back to your steps. Recreate the scene you saw the last time you looked at your keys in your head. Asking people around you whether they've seen your keys is also a excellent idea. This will help to keep your car safe and also 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 an excellent idea to make copies of it in the event that this happens to you again.

5. Call an expert locksmith

It's not uncommon for people to forget where they've put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a hurry. There are, however, some things you can do to aid.

Retrace the steps you've taken and searching for the areas in which you think they could be. If you're still struggling to locate them, consider searching inside the car. Many people lose their keys that hang on the keychain or inside the visor It's a good idea to take taking a look.

Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they have your keys. They might be able to cut keys for you or alter your locks, if necessary. They have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

Make sure you have proof of ownership when you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle registration or title. Depending on your situation, you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which can take a number of days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are times when you lose your car keys and it can put a massive damper on your day. It could be because you were running an run and forgot to put them on the seat or maybe you put your key down for a moment to grab something, but lost track of it.

It's important to report a lost key as soon as possible to the police. This will be recorded on paper and will stop other people from using your car without your permission. This will also help you avoid getting punished.

If you've reported your keys as Lost Key For Car What To Do to the police, your homeowner's insurance may be able to take them in as personal property. It's best to contact your agent to confirm that you are covered before filing a claim.

Think about investing in an Bluetooth tracking device like 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

You can lose your keys at any time. You could be on an errand and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long workday and not remember where you put them.

There are ways to prevent this from happening again. The best way to do this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed to a keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your phone. The app will flash or ring once you open it to help you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other people to assist you in locating the keys if they are out of range.

You can also make sure you don't lose your keys by putting them in the same place every time you come home. It doesn't matter whether you put them in a bowl on the entry table or an iron by the door. Making this an habit will help you locate your keys in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

It is crucial to inform your insurance company right away if you lose your keys to your car or if they're stolen. You can be certain that your claim will be handled properly if anything happens to the car in the future.

If you own a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can simply get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.

For modern vehicles with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it might be a bit more challenging. You will need to visit your local dealer to purchase a new key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200, based on the model and make of your vehicle.

To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key to keep it somewhere other than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your office or home, especially the place that you tend to drop things.