How to Locate a Key Car Lost

It wasn't so long ago that losing keys to your car was a common task to perform. Today, things can become much more complicated and costly.

If it's a traditional key or a more advanced car key fob, it's important to report the loss as soon as possible. Here's how. This will stop anyone from stealing your car keys.

Retract Your Steps

When you lose something important like keys it can be extremely stressful and even panic-inducing. There are several ways to locate the item and follow your steps. It is important to remember where you last saw the car last so that you can begin your search. Then consider the next steps you took from there.

You can also track your key fob using a GPS device. This is only applicable if you have an electronic key, and not a traditional one.

Try to visualize your day, close your eyes and try to remember the last time you recalled seeing the keys. This could help bring up clues to the location where they went missing.

A flashlight is an excellent way to find your lost belongings. Use it to look for the area you suspect they might be located in. This is especially helpful if your clothing is dark or you are parked in an area with shade. You can also seek the help of your friends and family members to help locate your keys. They can provide a new pair of eyes to find things you didn't.

If your coach's steps are always extended even when the step switch has been shut off, attach a small magnet to the sensor for the screen door located on the door's frame. This will notify the system that the screen door sensor is closed and the steps will be retractable. This method is also helpful for those who want to keep the steps retracted when your coach is stored at the dealer.

Contact the Dealership

If you've lost your keys it's a stressful experience. You might be forced to retrace your steps and searching for them in your office, home and other places. In the end, you must accept that your car keys are gone and you'll have to call for assistance. This can be done through a dealership or a locksmith. Depending on the circumstance and type of key one of these choices may be superior to the other.

Generally speaking dealerships have the capacity to create keys that can be used to replace the brand of vehicles they sell. They also have access to more details about the car than a locksmith would provide, such as information about how the vehicle is secured. They are the best choice for certain cars, especially those keys that have security features such as transponders. It is important to remember that a dealership is more expensive than an independent locksmith.

Certain cars come with a smart key with a chip inside. The chip is directly connected with the computer inside the car. This enables drivers to start and unlock their vehicle without using traditional keys. It is best to contact the dealership if you lose this key type. They'll need to verify your identity and have proof of ownership before they are able to make a new key. The dealer will also need to pair the new chip to the car's computer, which could take a few days.

A good idea is to have an extra smart key in your pocket since you may be able to enter the vehicle with it when you're unable to go to the dealership immediately. Check with your insurance provider to determine if this kind of loss will be covered under your policy. If it is, they will provide you with a replacement vehicle and track the location of it. They can even dispatch a tow truck to bring the vehicle back and return it to you.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Losing your keys to your car was not a major issue until recently. You might have kept a spare key attached to your car in a little box or kept it on the keychain, replacements and when you lost the one you always had, you simply went and got another. Richard Reina is the training director at CARiD. He claims that cars are more advanced nowadays and require more sophisticated keys, which are more difficult to lose and are more costly to replace. Based on the make, model and year of your car you might need to visit a dealership or a locksmith to create a new key.

Locksmiths are usually the cheaper alternative. They can make keys replacements in just a few minutes. Some people choose to contact their insurance provider to inquire if roadside assistance will cover the cost of a replacement key.

Unfortunately, the majority of auto insurance policies do not cover stolen or lost keys to cars. While some may have add-on coverage that does, it is rare. Roadside assistance is another option, but this usually only covers the cost when you lock your keys inside your vehicle and doesn't cover the cost of replacing the key.

You'll have to visit the dealer to purchase the replacement key for electronic fobs. This involves connecting a chip to the car, so you will be required to prove ownership, such as your registration or title. This could cost you several hundred dollars and may take longer than contacting an authorized locksmith in your area.

Certain homeowner insurance policies offer additional coverage for keys to the house and garage door openers but not many car insurance companies offer this feature in their policies. It's worthwhile to compare rates with your provider if you have this type of coverage. Whatever you decide to do, it's important that you inform your insurer that the keys have been lost so that they can check their records and notify you in case the vehicle is ever reported as stolen.

Contact the Police

Not long ago, misplacing or losing your car keys wasn't a big deal. You could just go to a locksmith and get a new key cut on the spot. Nowadays, cars are more technologically advanced and keys can be quite expensive to replace.

First, you should file a police report. This will assist them in tracking the perpetrator and help you to prove that your keys were stolen. You'll have to provide basic information, including the make and model of your vehicle, as well as your name and address. You may also need to provide proof that you own the vehicle for example, the V5C form with your name on it.

If you have a spare, you should try to locate it. Sometimes, these are kept in easy-to-access places, such as the back pocket of a jacket or the purse you carry to leave the house. You can ask around to see who has seen it, such as your roommates or family members. Also, you should look into public areas such as libraries and restaurants. These places often have keys that have been discovered and returned, and you might be lucky enough to find yours among them.

If you are able to afford it you could also consider contacting an expert in automotive locks. They are able to reprogram keys without the original and can even disable the original key so that nobody else can use it to steal your vehicle. They may need to remove part of the ignition system in order to accomplish this but it's worth it if your car was taken.

There's no way to know when your car keys might be i lost my only car key, but it's best to plan for the worst. Follow these steps to lower your chances of becoming a victim and be sure to keep a spare key handy at all times. You never know when it could save your life! Emma, an author and car owner at CarsBlog contributed to this article.