What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

Things are lost in the whirlwind that is life including kids, errands, work socializing with friends, etc. It's not always about the big things. Sometimes it's just the little things, like keys.

For most vehicles keys, a new one can be made at the local hardware store, along with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a low-cost of replacing lost car keys option.

Retract Your Steps

It can be a nightmare to lose your car's only keys and be unable to access your vehicle. You can lose time, money and peace of your mind. The first thing you must do if you lose the only car key you have is to stay calm. Doing your best to panic will not help you locate your keys quicker, and it could cause more damage.

Start by trying to recall the last time you looked at your keys. You may have dropped them when you brought groceries in or perhaps you put them in your pocket while you ran an outing. It is possible to locate your keys by retracing your steps.

If you aren't able to retrace steps, try writing every place you went to throughout the day. This can jiggle your memory and provide you with the clue you need to find your keys. After you've written down all possible places your keys could be, make sure you examine each location. Sometimes, keys "drift" to the side, floor or even under something and you might just be able to pick them up right where you left them.

Look Inside Your Car

In the past the idea of losing or misplacing a car key wasn't a huge problem. In the past, most people kept a spare key in a small, tin-like box that was that was attached to their car. Today, however, cars are getting more technologically advanced and keys are more likely to be Lost my only car key. Replacing a lost or stolen car key can involve several steps and cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the type of vehicle and the year of the model. It's important to always have a spare key for your car in the event that you lose your original.

Before you start freaking out about losing your sole car key take your breath and try to stay calm. Once you have your emotions under control, you can begin working through the steps. Retrace your steps, and try to remember the last time you held your keys. It's common to juggle keys while you grab something else, and they can end up on the car floor where you cannot be able to see them.

Then, thoroughly search your vehicle. Be sure to pay attention to the places you typically put them. You might have left them on the dashboard as you stepped out of your car to go into a store or maybe you reached into your bag to grab some snacks, but accidentally knocked them out.

You should also look through your purses, pockets, and bags. It's easy to forget about things that are in the pockets of your coat or in a large bag, so make sure to empty them out and carefully examine every crevice.

Contact a locksmith in case you are unable to locate your keys. If you have a traditional metal key that doesn't have electronic components, you can obtain an immediate replacement. If, however, you own a modernized key fob with chips, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership to get a replacement.

Be aware of your hiding spots

It's easy to lose your keys when you're working. Whether you were rushing to leave or distracted by a sandwich while talking on the phone, or you lost them, it's easy to lose them. The good news is that most people have a spare key that they keep in their home or office that can be easily located in the correct spot. If you have a spare key, it is essential to look over all the places you've previously stored them. These include obvious places like a purse, backpack or a sofa pocket, a stack on your desk, or a dresser drawer. If you have a family member with you and you want them to go through these places too.

There are also magnetic boxes and mini vaults you can put on your car to store your spare keys. They are great to hide keys since they won't fall off when you drive over bumps and will shield your keys from the elements. A lot of these storage devices also come with combination locks, which means that even if you give the key to a relative they aren't able to access it without you.

Another popular trick for hiding keys is to buy a fake rock that has a compartment that is hidden. This is a great solution for outdoor spaces, but you should be aware that burglars are often on the lookout for these items. If you choose to utilize this technique, you can use dark duct tap to make it harder for thieves to spot.

The hood is the final spot to look. If you have a key that opens the cap for gas, this can be an ideal spot to hide it because it won't be as visible. Just be sure to use a heavy-duty piece of tape so that the key won't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you go to remove it.

Car keys lost car keys no spare can be a huge hassle but there are ways to lessen the impact on your day-to-day life. By taking a few seconds to retract your steps, checking all of the most frequent hiding spots and calling a local locksmith to locate your keys and avoid wasting any money or time.

Call a locksmith

Unless you have a spare set of keys stashed somewhere the best thing to do in the event that you lose your car keys is to call locksmith. They can assist you in retrieving it quickly, and also be able advise you on how to avoid this from happening again in the future. If you know someone who has a key duplication shop for cars nearby, that's a different option, but keep in mind that these kinds of businesses usually require the specific model, make and year of your vehicle in order to copy the correct key.

You'll have to visit your dealer if the car is an older model or is equipped with an electronic fob. It can be costly particularly when the dealer must order a new key for your vehicle. It can also take days or even weeks.

Many people don't know that a locksmith can provide the same service for only a fraction of the cost of a dealership. Most insurance policies cover locksmith fees and towing in the event of a lost or stolen keys lost for car. Some even offer roadside assistance, which can provide professionals to help you get into your vehicle.

It is important to check the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before choosing the dealer. It is also important to notify the police immediately if you can. This will ensure that your vehicle is not used without permission and you will be protected in the case of a robbery or assault. Reporting your keys will also let police officers be on watch for anyone who might try to use your vehicle illegally. In the event of a worst-case scenario it could also protect you from charges of criminality in the event that someone tries to steal your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when losing the car keys that you have is to not be in a state of panic. Try the above steps and, if necessary get a family member or friend family member to help.