Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Whatever way you are, there's an occasion when you'll lose your car keys. If this happens, it's important to know what to do.

Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you need to make is an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract your steps

There aren't many things more painful than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety, and even lead you to receive unpleasant phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone regardless of how organized you are.

The best-case scenario would be that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). However, the situation can often be much more grave. When you lose your keys, it's important to remain calm and follow the steps.

It's also important to remember that the majority of things don't go missing forever, and they are often found in some very unusual places. Before taking drastic measures, it's a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. To accomplish this it's recommended to bring a flashlight to aid you in searching dark areas and drawers. You can also ask a friend or family member to help you search for a second pair of eyes can be helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after returning to your location and looking at common locations like key hooks, search for them in pockets, bags and jackets you've worn or wore recently. If you've lost them in a store, ask others who are customers or employees to see if they noticed anything unusual.

It might seem obvious to look in your own pockets and bags for your missing car keys however, it's crucial to do it in a thorough manner. Take out all pockets you carry such as those in jackets and purses and be sure to look around every zippered area. It's also an excellent idea to go through the trash and recycling bins in case your keys got lost in your bag and got crushed by something other.

You could also retrace your footsteps and search in places where you know it is not, such as the fridge or freezer. Many times, items are lost when we reach for them but knock them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza and watch your favorite show. You realize that the keys to your car have disappeared.

Check pockets and desks that are packed. It's also not uncommon to leave keys in a congested area, such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so make sure you've checked these areas.

Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you choose to do this ensure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from outside. If not, a burglar could be able to spot the keys you have hidden under your car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly because you may accidentally crush them when you close the door.

4. Call the police

We are prone to lose things when we are distracted. You might be running an easy errand and you have left your keys on the car seat. Or perhaps you need two hands to carry a bag of food items. It happens to all of us.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you have lost anything. You can then submit a police report in order to help protect your car from thieves. This is particularly crucial if your keys get lost car key replacement near me outside your home at the grocery store, or somewhere else public.

Before you do this ensure that you follow your steps. Recreate the scene you saw when you last saw your keys in your head. It's also a good idea to ask other people in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help keep your vehicle safe and stop other people from stealing it. (This could lead to additional expenses such as new ignition locks and door locks). It is a good idea if you have a spare car key to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's not uncommon for people to forget where they put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a rush. There are some actions you can take to help.

Start by retracing your steps, and then searching for areas you think you might have abandoned them. If you're still unable to find them, try checking in the car itself. It's not common for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.

Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they can locate your keys. They may be able cut you a key or change the locks if required. They have the tools and know-how to replace car keys when lost to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Make sure you have proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle registration or title. It could take for several days for a dealership to send you a replacement key, depending on your situation.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

There are times when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a huge impact on your day. It might be that you were running a quick run and forgot to put keys on the floor or perhaps you put your keys down for a moment to grab something but lost track of it.

Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is crucial. This will be recorded on paper and help prevent other people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also stops you from being punished.

If you've reported your keys as lost car key near me (forum.med-click.ru) to the police the homeowner's insurance might be able to take them in as personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent to confirm that you are covered prior to filing claims.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags, Tiles or lost car key near me the numerous other options available. This will save you from going through the hassle of a car key replacement and give you peace of mind knowing that your keys are always within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys at the time you least expect it. You might be running an errand and you forget to put them on the seat. Or, you might be leaving your car after a long workday and forget the place you put the keys.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the near future. The best method for doing this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. When you open the app it will ring or flash to help locate your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions so that others can assist you to locate them if they are lost.

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to place them in the same spot each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if you put them in an table or hang them on a hook by the door. Making this a habit will help you locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

It's important to notify your insurance company immediately in the event that you lose your keys to your car or if they're stolen. You can be certain that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the vehicle in the future.

If you own a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can simply get a replacement at any locksmith or hardware store. This is usually the quickest and least expensive alternative.

It might be more difficult for cars equipped with smart keys and require an electronic fob. You'll likely need to go to your local dealership and show proof of ownership to get a new key. This could cost you up to $200, based on the make and model of your vehicle.

To prevent this from happening, keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your house or office particularly in the areas where you tend to lose things.