Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You'll lose your keys at some point, regardless of how organized you are. It's crucial to be prepared for this scenario.

It is recommended to contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on your vehicle. These professionals can create an alternative key for your vehicle.

1. Retract your Steps

There aren't many things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety and even trigger unsavory phonecalls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that could happen to anyone regardless of how organized you are.

The best case scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). In reality the situation could be much more grave. It is essential to keep your cool and return to your path if you lose your keys.

Remember that many things don't go unnoticed forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Before resorting to extreme measures it's a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. Bring a flashlight to search dark corners and drawers. You can also ask someone to help you search for items, because a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking at common locations like key hooks, search for them inside of pockets, bags, and jackets you wore or used recently. If you've lost car keys your keys in a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they noticed something out of the ordinary.

It may appear obvious to check your bags and pockets for keys to your car that are missing however, it's crucial to do it in a thorough manner. Clean your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Feel around every zippered area. Also, check the trash and recycling bins to determine if your keys have been snatched from your bag.

You can also retrace your steps and search places where you know it isn't in, like the fridge or freezer. Many times, items go missing when we reach for them but then slam them away 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 comfortable sweats, eat pizza and watch your favorite show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing.

Check pockets and desks that are overly filled with. You may also leave your keys in a busy space, like the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.

Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you decide to do this be sure you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. If not, a burglar could be able to spot you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You can also put your keys in an 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 when you close the car door.

4. Call the police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we're a little distracted. You might be running an errand that is quick, and you've forgotten your keys on the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to carry a bag of groceries. Whatever the reason it happens to everyone.

It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you lose any item. This way, you will be able to submit a claim and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This is crucial in the event that you lose your keys outside of your home, in the shop, or anywhere else in public.

Before you begin, be sure to go back to your steps. Recreate the scene you saw the time you last looked at your keys in your mind. Asking people around you whether they've seen your keys is also a great idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from using it. (This could result in additional costs, such as the purchase of new ignition locks and door locks). It is a good idea, in the event that you have a spare car key to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.

5. Contact for a locksmith

People often forget where they placed their keys, especially when they're busy or distracted. There are a few basic things you can try to aid.

Start by retracing your steps and looking for places you think you may have abandoned them. If you still can't find them, look in the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys under the visor or on the keychain.

Call a locksmith and ask whether they can locate your keys. They might be able to cut you a brand new key or even alter the locks on your home if needed. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do call a locksmith, be prepared to provide proof of ownership of your vehicle. You can use your car's registration or title. Depending on your situation you may have to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which can take several days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are instances that you'll lose your car keys and it can put a massive downer on your day. You might have been running an easy errand and misplaced your keys on the seat, or you may have put them down to get something to grab for a second and lost track.

Notifying a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is important. This creates a paper trail and helps to stop people from using your vehicle without permission. It also prevents you from being fined.

If you've reported your keys as i lost my car keys what do i do to the police and your homeowner's insurance could cover them since they're considered personal property. It's best to call your agent and confirm that you're covered before making an insurance claim.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags, Tiles or the many other options available. This will prevent you from having to deal with the hassle of a car keys replacement and provide peace of mind knowing your keys are always in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Keys can be lost at any time. You could be on an urgent errand, only to forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long working day and not remember where you put keys.

There are ways to avoid this happening again. One of the best ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your phone. Once you open the app it will ring or flash to help you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other users to help you locate them if your keys are out of reach.

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always place them in the same place each time you arrive home. If it's in the bowl on your entry table or hung on a hook near the door, making the habit will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing is to inform your insurance company immediately. This way, you can rest sure that your claim will be dealt with correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you own a standard key (which doesn't have a chip) you can get an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.

For modern vehicles with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it may be a bit more difficult. You will likely have to go to your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. Based on the make and model of your vehicle this could cost upwards of $200.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key to keep it somewhere different from your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your house or office particularly in the areas that you tend to drop things.