What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys

The loss of your car keys could be among the most frustrating experiences you can endure. In the shuffle of school pick-ups, shopping trips to the grocery store and other chores, things sometimes get misplaced.

Be sure not to panic. Making a note of your steps and searching for a long time will often lead to finding the most important element.

1. Retract your Steps

It's no secret that keys are the most frequently misplaced objects. It is a possibility for anyone, whether you're running an errand, distracted while getting out of your car or at home trying to get ready for work and forgetting your keys. There are a few steps you can take before calling a locksmith in case you've lost your keys.

First, you'll want to retrace your steps. This can be a challenge when you're in a panic, but it's important to remember exactly where you last seen your keys and the places you went following that. It can also be helpful to write down your steps to be able to look them up in the future.

If you've searched in the most obvious places but aren't able to locate your keys, you may need to look in different places. Examine your purses and pockets and also the house. Keep in mind that your keys are likely to be somewhere close by but they're not in a convenient location. It could also be helpful to locate your keys in the vicinity of other items they are typically connected to, such as the laptop or purse.

If you've tried all of these options and lost keys are still unable to locate your keys, it may be time to contact an 24 hour locksmith to help. Before calling a locksmith, make sure you follow these suggestions to stop your keys from disappearing again.

2. Find a spare key

It's not unusual for keys from cars to disappear from pockets of coats or couch cushions just by themselves. Once upon a time, this was no big problem since it was easy to obtain a new key at any hardware store or locksmith. But with advances in the field of key fob technology it's becoming more difficult to find an alternative for lost keys keys that have been lost.

For this reason, it's recommended to keep a spare key on hand. A spare key can save you from having to call an tow truck and make getting your vehicle back in the event of losing your key a lot more simple. It is advisable to have the spare key in a different place than the usual keychain so it's not as easily lost. If you don't have a spare key, you should consider making one to decrease the chances of losing your keys.

You can usually have a traditional car key made by a locksmith or an auto dealer, based on the car's model. It is crucial to remember that the dealer must program the key to fit your car.

Many modern cars come with keyless entry systems that let you unlock your car using a remote control. This is also referred to a "fob." If you lose your fob the only way to get your car started from scratch is to go to the locksmith or dealer and let them pair a new fob with your vehicle. Make it a habit to put your keys in the same spot each when you get home. Whether it's in the entry table, an empty bowl on your front porch or even a hook by the door, it can help you remember where they are and how you can find them in the future.

3. Empty your Pockets

It's a terrible feeling to lose your car keys. It doesn't matter if you dropped them in the rush to leave the house, or your little ones kept them on the couch to play hide-and-seek and then lost your keys to your car can make you feel anxious and helpless.

Fortunately, panicking won't aid you in finding your keys. In fact, it may even make things worse. Try to remain calm and follow the steps below to locate your keys as quickly as you can.

Begin by reminiscing about your day and remembering the last time you were when you last saw them. Examine all of your bags and pockets If you can recall they were in your wallet. You can also go through the steps you took to see whether they were located anywhere other than your pocket. Also, you can check your car to see if they've been left there, but you'll need to thoroughly search both the interior and exterior of the car.

If you've looked everywhere else and aren't able to locate your car keys, it's time to move on to more advanced searches. This could include searching in the freezer and fridge to find your keys. You'll need to open and shut the appliances and then feel inside for small objects.

Another great way to avoid losing your car keys is to connect them to a lanyard that is long or a chain. This will make it easier to locate keys because they're more noticeable and are longer. You can also make your keys stand out by applying a bright hue.

4. Call the police

The first step to take after losing your keys is to contact the police. It's important to report your lost keys to your car as soon you lose them to ensure you don't run into any issues with someone using your vehicle or gaining access to your home. Notifying your loss in time can also be beneficial in terms of insurance coverage as the majority of policies cover locksmith fees and even replacement keys from the dealership.

When you call the police and they'll inform you if your keys have been discovered by people or been taken. They'll also advise you on some preventative steps to take. If your keys aren't discovered, they'll likely ask you to give details of when you lost them and what you were doing prior to the incident occurred.

If you have an old-school metal key that isn't working electronically the first thing you should do is to check your bags, pockets and wherever else you typically carry them. After you've looked over your pockets, bags and other places where you typically carry them, look back in time to try to recall the time you lost the keys. You may have dropped them on replacing a lost car key table or your bag after reaching for something.

If you own a transponder key that operates electronically, it'll need to be paired with the car and this can only be done at the dealership. It could cost several hundreds of dollars, based on your car's brand and model. You can also call GEICO for assistance in an emergency, which is always available through the GEICO app. This service will save you money and time by sending the locksmith via mobile to you.

5. Call a Locksmith

If you leave your keys in the trunk while doing errands, they can quickly disappear. This scenario plays out all too often, as keys missing from cars are the third most misplaced item in America1. You can't prevent this from happening every day. You can, however, take steps to reduce the chance of losing them.

A spare key is a good idea however, it isn't a guarantee that you won't lose the original. A keychain with a tracking device can help you locate your keys in the event they get lost. A tracking device will notify your smartphone when it detects the signal of your lost keys which makes it easier to find.

If you are unable to locate your car keys you should contact a locksmith to come out and replace the keys. If you are able to provide evidence of ownership, for example the title or registration of your vehicle A locksmith will be able create keys for you.

Traditional keys are the easiest to replace, however If you own a smart key or remote key fob, you'll have to contact your dealership to have one made specifically for you. You can also purchase replacement keys online, but make sure to check to see whether the key you purchase can be programmed to your specific car.

The loss of your car keys can be stressful, but it does not have to be. If you follow the steps that are listed above, you will be able to recover your keys and get back on the road. Just remember to keep calm, and don't panic! The most important thing to remember is that you're not alone - everybody loses their car keys at some moment in time.