Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how organized you are, there will come an occasion when you'll lose your car keys. When this happens it is crucial to be aware of what to do.

Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you must make is to a locksmith or a dealership. They can design an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things that are more painful than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety and even trigger unwanted phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that happens to everyone regardless of how organized you are.

The ideal scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). However, in reality, things often take a much darker direction. When you lose your keys, it's essential to remain calm and retrace the steps.

It's important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they are often found in unusual places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures, it's a good idea to go back and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight with you to search for dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to join you in your search, as another set 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, examine the pockets, bags and jackets you've recently wore or used. If you've lost your keys at a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they noticed something unusual.

It might seem obvious to check your own pockets and bags for the missing car keys however, it's crucial to do so thoroughly. Clean out all pockets that you carry around, including those in jackets and purses, and make sure to check every zippered space. It's also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycling bin in the event that keys got lost in your bag and got crushed by something other.

It might be beneficial to retrace your steps once again and look for places you know they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many items are lost when we reach for something, but we forget about it. then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've worked hard all day and are ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza and on your favorite TV show. But, you discover that the keys to your car have disappeared.

While you're going through your steps, check overly cluttered spaces such as tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothing items. You can also put your keys in a congested space, like the door handle or in the refrigerator.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to do this make sure you are able to remove the gas cap outside your car because a thief could easily see you crouched under your car to hide your keys there.

You can also put your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don't put them there too tightly or you'll accidentally smash them when you shut the door of your car.

4. Contact the police

It is easy to get lost when we are distracted. You may be on the run for a few minutes and have your keys on the seat, or lost key Replacement you might just require two hands to carry a load of food items. Whatever the reason, it occurs to everyone.

It is important to contact the police immediately if you have Lost key replacement anything. This way, you will be able to file a report and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This is essential in the event that you lose your keys outside of your home, at the shop, or anywhere else in public.

Make sure to go through every step before you begin. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the time you last saw them. Asking people around you whether they've seen your keys is also a great idea. This will help to ensure your car's security and stop others from stealing it (which could lead to additional costs such as new ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key it's always an excellent idea to make a copy of it in the event that this happens to you again.

5. Contact a Locksmith

People often forget where they put their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are several things you can do to aid.

Start by retracing your steps and looking for places you think you might have abandoned them. If you're unable to find them, try looking inside the car. Many people have keys that are hanging from their keychains or the visor and it's worth having a quick look.

Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they have your keys. They may be able cut you a brand new key or even change your locks if required. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

If you do contact a locksmith, be prepared to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. You can use your car's registration or title. It could take several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key, dependent on the circumstances.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

You might lose your car keys from time to time and it can ruin your day. It could be that you were running an run and forgot to put keys on the floor or maybe you set your keys 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 vital. This will create a paper trail and will help keep other people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also prevents you from getting punished.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might cover them since they're considered personal property. It's best to call your agent and confirm that you're insured prior to making an insurance claim.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or any of the other options available. This will eliminate the stress of having to replace lost car key cost your car keys and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any moment. You could be on an urgent errand, only to forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your car after a long day at work and not remember where you put them.

Fortunately, there are ways to stop this from happening again in the future. One of the best options is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices are attached to your wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your phone. The app will ring or flash when you open it to help you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow others to help you locate them if your keys are not in reach.

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always place them in the same spot each time you arrive home. Whether it's on the table in your entryway or on a hook near the door, keeping an habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing is to inform your insurance provider right away. You can be certain that your claim will get handled properly if anything happens to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard (non-chip) key you can purchase a new one from any hardware or locksmith. This is the quickest and least expensive solution.

It could be more difficult for vehicles with a smart key and require an electronic fob. You will need to visit your local dealership to get a replacement key. Based on the model and make of your car it could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.

To avoid this, you should keep a spare set of keys in a different location than your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you can't find things.