Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You'll lose your keys at some point, no matter how well organized you are. It is important to be prepared for this eventuality.

Depending on the vehicle you have, the first call you need to make is a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can make an appropriate 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, create lots of stress and can even result in unwanted calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that could happen to anyone regardless of how organized you are.

The ideal scenario is that they appear exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality, things often take a much more dire turn. It is important to keep your cool and return to your path if you lose your keys.

Be aware that a lot of things aren't lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. So, before resorting to extreme measures it's best to retrace your steps and conduct a thorough search. Bring a flashlight to look through dark corners and drawers. You can 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 such as key hooks, examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you recently wore or used. If you've lost them in a store, ask other customers or workers to see if they have noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Examining your bags and pockets for keys missing may seem like common sense but it is important to be thorough. Clean your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Examine all zippered areas. It's also an excellent idea to go through the recycling and trash bins in case your keys lost got lost in your bag and got crushed by something other.

It might be beneficial to go through your steps again and search places where you know they aren't, such as the fridge or freezer. A lot of times, things go missing when we reach for them but then take them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've put in the hours and are now ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, order pizza and binge watch your favorite show. But, you discover that your car keys are missing.

While you're retracing your steps take a look at areas that are overly cluttered such as tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothes. You can also put your keys in a busy space, like 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 can open the gas cap from outside your car as thieves could easily spot you crouching under 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 you could accidentally smash them when you shut the door.

4. Call the police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we are just a little bit distracted. You may be doing a quick errand, and you've forgotten your keys on the car seat. Perhaps you require two hands to carry an empty bag of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to all.

When you lose something, it's crucial to notify the police right away. This way, you can make a report and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This is crucial in the event that you lose your keys outside your home, at the shop or any other place in public.

Make sure you retrace all of your steps before you begin. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the last time you seen them. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is a good idea. This will help to keep your car safe and stop others from stealing it (which could lead to additional costs like replacing ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key it is always a good idea to make an exact copy of it in case something similar happens to you again.

5. Contact for a locksmith

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

Retrace the steps you've taken and searching for the areas where you think they might have been left. If you're still unable to find them, try checking in the car itself. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

Finally, contact a locksmith to find out if they can assist you in finding your lost keys. They may be able 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 whenever you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle registration or title. Depending on the situation you may have to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which could take a few days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

You may lose your car keys from time to time and it can cause you to lose your day. You may have been running an errand that was quick and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you may have sat down to get something to grab for a second and lost track.

It is crucial to report lost keys as soon as possible to the police. This will create a paper trail and Lost My Car Key will help to stop others from using your vehicle without your permission. It also stops you from being punished.

If you've reported your keys as lost My car key to the police, your homeowner's insurance may be able to take them in as personal property. However, it's still best to check with your agent to make sure you're covered before you file an insurance claim.

Think about buying a Bluetooth tracking device, such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will eliminate the hassle of having to replace your car keys, and ensure that you always have your keys within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes, you'll lose your keys when you least would. You might be running an errand and you forget to put them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your vehicle after a long working day and not remember the place you put the keys.

Fortunately, there are ways to stop this from happening in the future. The best method for doing this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be connected to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will blink or ring when you open it, lost My Car Key to assist you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other users to help you locate the keys if they are not in range.

You can also avoid losing your keys by putting them in the same spot every time you come home. Whether it's on the table in your entryway or on a hanger near the door, keeping a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance provider right away. You can be sure that your claim will get handled properly if anything happens to the vehicle in the future.

If you already have an ordinary (non-chip) key it is easy to purchase a new one at any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and cheapest option.

For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it might be a bit more difficult. You will need to visit your local dealership to get a replacement key. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, this could cost you upwards of $200.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key in your possession and keep it somewhere other than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your office or home especially in areas where you tend to lose things.