What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

In the whirlwind of life - kids, errands socializing with friends and work - things are lost. It's not always about the big stuff. Sometimes, it's the tiniest things such as keys.

For most vehicles, a new key can be created at the local hardware store, along with proof of ownership (car registration or title). This is an inexpensive alternative.

Retract Your Steps

It's a pain to lose your only car keys and not be able to access your vehicle. It could cost you time, money and peace of mind. However, the first thing you need to do when you've lost your only car key is to be calm. Doing your best to panic isn't going to help you locate your keys any faster, and it can cause more damage.

Start by trying remembering when you last seen them. It could be as simple as having them in your pocket as you stepped out of the car to go on an errand, or they may have been lost while you were taking groceries inside. Retracing your steps can aid in finding your lost keys in no time.

If trying to retrace your steps doesn't work, try noting down all the places you have been throughout the day. This can jiggle your brain and give you the clue you need to locate your keys. Once you've jotted down all the possible spots your keys could be, make sure you check each spot. You might find keys "drift" on the floor, side or underneath something, and you'll be in a position to pick them up exactly where you left them.

Take a look inside Your Car

It wasn't too long ago that misplacing, or even losing a car keys was not a huge issue. Most people had a spare attached to the car in a small container that was tacked to the inside of the bumper. Nevertheless, as cars become more technologically advanced keys are more likely now to be lost car keys How to replace. Replacing a stolen or lost car key could require several steps and cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the type of vehicle and year of manufacture. That's why it's important to have a backup in case you ever do lose your only car key.

Before you start worrying about losing your car's only key, take a deep breath and try to remain calm. Once you've got your emotions under control, you can begin working through the steps. Follow your steps and try to remember the last time you held the keys. It's normal to juggle keys while you grab something else, and they can end up on the on the floor, but you aren't able to be able to see them.

Then, go through your vehicle. Pay particular attention to the areas where you normally put them. You might have accidentally thrown the items out of your bag, or placed them on your dashboard after you exited your car to go into an establishment.

It is also important to look through your purses, pockets and bags. You may forget to check your deep pockets or big bags.

If you're still unable to locate your keys, it's time to contact an expert locksmith and request help. If you own an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith can usually make you a new one on the spot. However, if you have a more modern key fob that includes chips, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide evidence of ownership to obtain an exchange.

Make sure you are aware of your hide spots

If you were in a hurry to get out the door or were distracted trying to eat a sandwich and chat on the phone or you simply lost your keys it's easy to lose them when you are busy. The good news is that a lot of people have a spare key they keep in their home or office that can be easily located in the correct spot. It is essential to look over every place you've hidden your spare key. This includes obvious places like backpacks, purses or a pocket on the sofa or even a stack on your desk, or in a dresser drawer. If you have a companion with you, ask them to check these places too.

There are also magnetic boxes and mini vaults that you can put on your car to store a spare key. They are ideal for hiding keys because they can't be knocked off accidentally when driving over bumps and also protect your key from the elements. A lot of these storage units come with combination locks, meaning even if someone has access to the key and opens the door, they won't be able to open it without your help.

Another trick to hide keys is to buy fake rocks that have an enclosed compartment. This is a great solution for outdoor areas, however you must be aware that burglars are usually looking for these items. If you choose to employ this method, you can employ a dark duct tap to make it harder for thieves to find.

The hood is one last location to check. If you have keys that open the cap on your gas tank, this can be an ideal spot to hide it since it won't be so obvious. Be sure to use a strong piece of tape to ensure the key won't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to take it out.

Lost car keys can be a huge hassle but there are ways to lessen their impact on your day to day life. You can find your keys by retracing Your Steps and looking for the most likely hiding spots. Calling a local locksmith will also assist you in avoiding wasting time and money.

Contact a locksmith

If you don't have a spare set of keys the best thing you can do if you've lost car key replacement cost your car keys is to contact locksmith. They can help you retrieve it quickly and will also offer suggestions on how to avoid this repeating itself in the future. You can also try contacting the local key duplication business. However, they will require the exact make, model and year of your vehicle to duplicate the key.

You'll have visit your dealer if your vehicle is an older model or is equipped with a smart fob. This can be costly particularly if they have to purchase the correct key for your vehicle and it could take a few days or even weeks.

Many people are unaware that a locksmith can provide the same service for only a fraction of the cost of a dealership. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith fees and towing in case of a lost key or stolen keys. Some even provide roadside assistance, which will send experts to help you get into your car.

If you have comprehensive automobile insurance, it's worth reviewing your coverage prior to making a decision to purchase from a dealership. It's important to inform your car's owner as soon as you can. This helps to ensure that nobody else will have access to your car without permission. It also keeps you safe in case you're ever robbed or assaulted. By reporting your keys, you will also alert police officers to anyone who is trying to access your car illegally. In the worst case scenario, you could be protected from criminal charges if someone tries to steal your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when you lose your car keys is that you should never be in a state of panic. Try the above steps and, if necessary get a family member or friend family member to help.