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's important to be prepared for this eventuality.

Depending on your vehicle, the first call you must make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design a replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract your Steps

There are few things more painful than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause lots of stress and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not losing your keys could occur to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). However, the situation can often be more serious. If you lose your keys, it is crucial to remain calm and follow the steps.

Keep in mind that many things are not lost forever and can be located 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 search for dark corners and drawers. You could also invite a family or friend member to help you search for a second pair of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and checking common places like key hooks, look inside pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently were wearing or used. If you lost your keys in a store check with other shoppers or employees if they've noticed something different.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might seem obvious but it is important to do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Check all zippered areas. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to see if any of your keys have fallen out of your bag.

You could also retrace your steps and look in places you know the item is not, such as the freezer or fridge. Many items get lost when we look for something but then we take it away and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've put in the hours and are now ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza and on your favorite TV show. You realize that your keys to your car are missing.

Check pockets and desks that are too cluttered. It's also common to leave keys in a messy spot like inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure you've checked these areas.

Under the car is another favorite 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 beneath your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.

You could also consider hiding your keys in a nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to put them too tightly as they could be crushed when you close the door.

4. Call the Police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we are just a little distracted. You might be on the run for a few minutes and put your keys in the seat, or you might require two hands free to grab a bag full of food items. Whatever the reason it occurs to all.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose any item. This way, you can submit a claim and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This is essential if you lose your keys outside of your home, in the shop or any other place in public.

Before you start ensure that you retrace your steps. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the time you last saw them. Asking people around you if they've seen your keys is another good idea. This will help to keep your car secure and also stop others from using it (which may result in extra costs such as new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea, if you have an extra car key to duplicate it in case you lose it again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's common for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are a few simple tips you can use to assist.

Retrace your steps, and then searching for areas you think you might have left them. If you're still struggling to find them, try searching inside the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys in the visor or on the keychain.

Last but not least, contact a locksmith to see if they are able to help you find your keys that have disappeared. They may be able make you a new key or even alter the locks on your home if needed. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

When you do call locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of the ownership of your vehicle. You can do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. It could take for several days for a dealership to send you a replacement key, dependent on the circumstances.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

You may lose your car keys from time to time and it can cause you to lose your day. It could be that you were running an run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you set your key down for a moment to grab something, but lost the track of it.

Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is important. This will be recorded on paper and help prevent other people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also prevents you from getting fined.

If you've reported your keys as replacing lost car key to the police the homeowner's insurance might be able to cover them as they're personal property. However, Replace Lost Car Key Cost it's still best to speak with your agent to make sure you're covered before you file a claim.

Think about investing in a Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid the stress of having to Replace Lost Car Key Cost your car keys and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any time. You could be out for a quick errand and you forget to place them on the seat, or you might be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work, and don't remember where you put them.

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

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to keep them in the same spot each time you return home. It doesn't matter whether you place them in an table in the entryway or on a hook near the door. Making this routine a habit will help you locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a New Key

If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance provider immediately. You can be certain that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the car in the future.

If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key you can purchase an additional one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is usually the quickest and least expensive option.

It may be more difficult for vehicles equipped with a smart key and require an electronic fob. It is likely that you will need go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200 based on the make and model of your car.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key to keep it somewhere different from your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you lose things.