What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

Things get lost in the whirlwind of life including kids, errands, work, socializing with friends, and so on. It's not always the major things. Sometimes it's just the tiniest things like keys.

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

Retract Your Steps

There is nothing more painful than losing your sole car key and not being able access your vehicle. It can cost you money, time and peace of mind. However, the first thing you must do when you've lost keys replacement the only car key you have is to stay calm. The stress of panicking isn't going to help you locate your keys any faster, and it can even make the situation worse.

Begin by trying to remember when you last seen them. It could be as easy as having them in your pocket when you hopped out of the car to run an appointment, or they might have been lost key Replacement when you were bringing groceries inside. You can locate your keys by tracing your steps.

If retracing your steps does not work, you can try noting down all the places you have been throughout the day. This will help you to remember where you were and could give you a clue as to where your keys are. After you've written down all the possible spots your keys could be, double make sure you check each spot. It is possible that keys "drift" on the floor, side or underneath something, and you'll be able to pick them right where you left them.

Check Inside Your Car

It wasn't too long ago that misplacing, or even losing a car keys was not a huge issue. In the past, a majority of people stored spare keys in a small box connected to their car. However, as cars get more technologically advanced keys are more likely now to be lost. Replacing a lost or stolen car key can take many steps and can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the car's type and the year of manufacture. That's why it's important to have a backup key in case you lose your only car key.

Take an exhale before you get anxious about losing your car key. Try to remain calm. Once you've got your emotions under control you can start working through the steps. Retrace your steps and think about the last time you held keys in your palm. It's common to juggle keys while you are grabbing something else, and they can end up on the car floor where you cannot be able to see them.

The next thing to do is to thoroughly search your car, especially the areas where you typically place them. You may have put them on the dashboard when you stepped out of your car to run to a store or maybe you went to your bag to get a snack and accidentally knocked them out.

Examine your purses, pockets and bags. It's easy to overlook things in the deep pockets of your coat or in a large bag, so be sure you empty them and scrutinize every crevice.

Contact a locksmith in case you are unable to find your keys. If you have an old-fashioned key made of metal with no electronic components, you can request a replacement right away. However, if you have a modernized key fob that includes chips, you'll have to contact your dealer and possibly provide proof of ownership to get a replacement.

Be aware of your hiding spots

Whether you were in a rush to get out the door, distracted while trying to eat a sandwich and lost key replacement chat on the phone or you simply forgot your keys it's easy to lose them when you are working. The good news is that a lot of people have a spare key that they keep in their home or office that can be located in the right place. It is essential to look over every place where you've put your spare key. This includes obvious places such as a purse, backpack or a pocket on the sofa or even a stack on your desk, or even a dresser drawer. If you have a companion with you and you want them to go through these same spots as well.

There are also magnetic boxes and mini vaults you can place on your vehicle to store keys that you don't need. These are ideal 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 feature combination locks so that even if the key to a relative, they can't open it without your permission.

A fake rock with an enclosed compartment is another popular trick to keep keys hidden. This is a great option for outdoor spaces, but you must be aware that burglars are often looking for these items. If you decide to use this technique, you can employ a dark duct tap to make it more difficult for thieves to find.

The hood is one last spot to look. If you have an ignition key that opens the gas cap and the hood, this is an ideal spot to hide it because it won't be so obvious. Make sure you make use of a sturdy piece of tape to ensure the key doesn't come off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to take it out.

Car keys lost can be a huge hassle but there are ways to lessen their impact on your day-to-day life. By taking a few seconds to reverse your steps and scouring the most commonly used hiding places and contacting the local locksmith prices for lost car keys, you can find your keys and avoid losing any unnecessary time or money.

Call an expert locksmith

If you've lost the car key and you've lost it, you must contact a locksmith. They can help you recover the key quickly and give you tips on how to prevent this repeating itself in the future. You can also try contacting an auto key duplicate company. However, they will require the exact brand, model, and year of your vehicle to duplicate the key.

You'll need visit your dealer if the car is an older model or uses smart fobs. This can be costly and especially if you need to order the correct key for your vehicle and it could take a few days or even weeks.

One thing that many people don't know is that a professional locksmith can usually provide the same service as a dealership however at only a fraction of the cost. Many insurance policies cover locksmith charges and towing in case of a lost key or stolen keys. Some even offer roadside assistance, which will provide professionals to assist you with getting into your vehicle.

If you have comprehensive auto insurance, you should be reviewing your coverage prior to choosing a dealership. It's important to report your keys as soon as possible, too. This ensures that no one else will be able to access your vehicle without permission, and it is also a way to protect yourself in the event of being victimized by a robber or attacked. By declaring your keys, you also inform police about anyone who may try to use your vehicle illegally. In the worst case scenario, this could even protect you from prosecution should someone attempt to steal your car. The most important thing to remember when you lose your car keys is that you should never panic. Instead, follow the above steps and seek the assistance of a friend or family member if necessary.