How to Replace Lost Car Keys

It's an absolute nightmare to lose your car keys. This was not a problem until recent times however, as cars become more technologically advanced, it's becoming more difficult.

Often you lose your keys because you've reached into your pocket to find something else and accidentally knocked them off somewhere. You can avoid this by keeping a spare key at home.

1. Contact a locksmith

There's no doubt that losing your car keys could be a major hassle. It's not a reason to panic. As long as you know who to call and what to do it will only take just a few steps to have your keys replaced in your car.

Try to go back the steps you made. It may appear obvious but it's difficult to accomplish if you are in a rush or concerned about losing your car keys. Be sure to inspect all your bags and pockets in which you've put them down, and also the surrounding area around your vehicle.

Contact a locksmith if can't find your car keys. Locksmiths are typically in a position to make an entirely new key for your vehicle much quicker than a dealership. They can even do it for less than the dealership would cost.

Some dealerships can make keys for replacement to cars but they might not be able to complete it immediately or even at all. There are many dealerships with an abundance of customers which means they may not be able to accommodate you immediately. They may also not be able to make an exact copy of your existing key.

You can also purchase an online replacement key. They are available on Amazon and other places at a much lower cost than what you would buy from a dealer, however, they might not be able to cut or program them for your specific model of car.

Certain insurance policies also cover the cost of replacing a lost or stolen car key. It's worthwhile to check if you have coverage that would help cover the cost of purchasing an additional key for your vehicle. Remember that you'll need to provide proof of ownership and identification to the company or individual who creates the replacement key. This is legally required. It can be very expensive if you are not able to provide proof of ownership.

2. Contact the Dealership

It wasn't long ago that misplacing or losing your car keys wasn't a big deal. You could easily get a replacement key at the dealership and it wasn't too much to do it. However, as cars become more advanced in technology - and the keys getting more expensive to replace it's not as simple as it was in the past. If you lose your keys today, it's not unusual to spend hundreds of dollars to have them replaced.

If you've lost your car keys the first thing you need to do is to act in a calm manner. This will enable you to think clearly and make an informed decision. You should also make sure that you have a backup set keys somewhere else, such as in your pocket or the trunk of your car so that if you do lose the originals and you lose them, you won't lose any money at all. Make sure to check whether your insurance or warranty covers the cost of replacing a key. This can help you save money in the event of a crisis.

Next, search your car, your house, your purse, or your wallet for keys that are missing. You may also try to retrace your steps, keeping track of the last place you had keys and the location you were in when you lost them. This could help you determine where they ended up and could be a huge relief.

Call your dealership if you haven't found your keys after a thorough search. Dealerships are aware of the vehicle they are servicing and can supply you with keys to replace. However, they're usually busy and can't accommodate people on short notice, which could make the process frustrating.

If you get in touch with the dealership, they'll be able create keys for you using the VIN number that is recorded on their system. They can also reprogram your immobilizer system, which is necessary to start your vehicle. Locksmiths are a good option when you need a quick and reliable solution that doesn't require you to wait at the dealership.

3. Call Your Insurance Company

It wasn't that long ago that losing your keys to your car was not a problem. A locksmith could come to your home and duplicate your keys for How to Replace Lost Car Keys an affordable price. However, as cars have become more technologically advanced, so too have the keys, and now they're more expensive to replace than ever.

Based on the type of vehicle and year The process for replacing the car key that was lost car keys replacement cost could require several steps and cost you hundreds of dollars. It's always a smart idea to keep an additional set of keys for your car on hand. This is especially important in the case of a dangerous area or in an area that has a high rate of theft.

While it might seem like it's a waste of time to contact your insurance company, calling them will save you money in the end. Some policies will cover the cost of replacing a car key, so be sure to check with your insurance agent before you lose one and you find yourself in need.

Another thing to take into consideration is whether your insurance policy provides roadside assistance. If it does, the service might send a person out to assist you with your situation, and that might be less stressful than dealing with a locksmith or dealership.

Make sure you thoroughly search your car before you call your insurance company. If you believe they're in the car, look in the trunk and underneath the seat. If you're at home check the pockets of the clothes you were wearing as well as in other places you might have a habit of putting them. You should also double-check the areas you may have left them, such as your purse or a cluttered desk.

Contact your dealer for replacement of the keys after you've tried to locate them. This is usually not an issue and is cheaper than calling an locksmith or calling the insurance company.

When you visit the dealership it is possible to inquire whether you can have a spare key made, particularly if you don't have a key fob. The dealership is usually able to create an additional key for you, without having to change anything else in your vehicle. If you choose to do this, be sure you keep the spare key in a safe and secure place so that you can locate it the next time you lose it.

4. Contact the police

Notifying your car keys that you lost will help you locate them and keep you safe. If someone drives your car on public roads or on private property without permission, the driver could be charged with a fine. If you report your keys missing before the person makes off with your car, you'll know that there's a legal paper trace of when it went missing and who reported it.

The loss of car keys is a frequent occurrence however it doesn't have to be to be a major issue. You can obtain a replacement car key quickly and easily if call the right people. You can also avoid the possibility of losing keys in the future if you follow the tips provided in this article.

Then, try retracing your steps. This will give you an idea of where your keys might have been lost and will aid in remembering what you were doing at the time. If you were driving to work, then stopped at a restaurant to purchase food and drinks, you might remember that your keys were in your pockets as you left the vehicle. If you cannot find your key, you could have put it in the bag you carried around with things or on the table you ate at.

Posting your lost key online is another good idea. This will increase your chances of finding the culprit by bringing it to a wider audience. You can also search local businesses and community bulletin boards.

It's crucial to write down the VIN of your vehicle prior to when you start searching for your keys. This information is needed to replace lost key your keys, so you should keep it in a safe place. The VIN is typically found on your driver's license, but can also be found on your insurance card and in your car's owner's manual.

Contact the police when you've exhausted other options. You can get a temporary replacement car from the police department, and they will also file reports that are useful should your keys ever be recovered.