What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

In the chaos of life - kids, errands, socializing with friends and work - things get lost. It's not always the major stuff. Sometimes it's just the tiniest things, like keys.

A new key for most automobiles can be created at your local hardware store, provided you have proof of ownership. This is a low-cost option.

Retract Your Steps

It's a pain to lose your car's only keys and be unable to access your vehicle. It could cost you money, time and peace of mind. But the first thing you need to do if you lose your only car key is to remain calm. Stressing yourself out will not help you find your keys quicker and could cause more damage.

Start by trying to remember the last time you looked at your keys. You may have dropped them when you brought groceries in or perhaps you put them in your pocket as you were running an outing. You can locate your keys by retracing your steps.

If trying to retrace your steps doesn't work, you can try recording all the places you've visited throughout the day. This will help you remember where you were and may give you clues as to where your keys are. Check every spot you recorded. You might find keys "drift" on the floor, side or underneath something, and you'll be able to pick them right where you left them.

Take a look inside Your Car

It wasn't that long ago that misplacing, or even losing a car key was not a major issue. Most people had a spare attached to the car in a small container stuck to the inside of the bumper. However, as cars become more technologically advanced keys are more likely to be lost car keys how to replace. Replacing a stolen or lost car key can involve several steps and cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the type of car and the year of the model. It is important to always keep a spare car key in case you lose the original.

Take an exhale before you start worrying about losing your one car key. Try to stay calm. Once you have your emotions under control you can start working through the steps. First, retrace your steps and think about when you last had the keys in your hands. It's normal to juggle keys while you are grabbing something else, and they may end up on the floor where you cannot be able to see them.

The next step is to thoroughly search your car, especially the places where you usually place them. You might have left them on the dashboard as you stepped out of your car to run into a shop, or perhaps you walked into your bag to grab a snack and accidentally knocked them out.

It is also important to check your pockets, purses and bags. It's easy to overlook things that are in the pockets of your coat or a large bag, so make sure you empty them and scrutinize every crevice.

Get help from a locksmith when you're unable to find your keys. If you have an old-fashioned key made of metal with no electronic components, you can get a replacement right away. If you have a key fob that has chip and is an older model, you will have to contact the dealer to request a new one.

Make sure you are aware of your hide spots

If you were in a rush to get out of the door or distracted while trying to eat a sandwich or call, or simply lost your keys it's easy to lose keys when you're busy. The good news is that most people have spare keys that they keep in their home or office that can easily be found in the right spot. It is essential to look over every place where you've put your spare key. This includes obvious places like a backpack or purse, a pocket inside the sofa, a pile of mail on the table, or a drawer on your dresser. If you have a family member with you, ask them to check these places too.

There are also magnetic boxes and mini vaults you can stick on your vehicle to store your spare keys. They are great to hide keys since they won't fall off accidentally when you drive over bumps and also shield your key from the elements. Many of these storage devices also feature combination locks so that even if you give the key to a friend they aren't able to access it without you.

A fake rock with an inside compartment is another popular trick to conceal keys. This is a good option for outdoor areas. However, it is important to be aware that burglars will often look for these items. If you do decide to employ this method make sure you use dark duct tape to make it harder for thieves to spot.

Another place to look is the hood of your vehicle. This is a great place to hide a key for the gas cap, if you have one. It won't be visible. Just be sure to use a strong piece of tape to ensure the key doesn't come off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to remove it.

There are ways to reduce the impact of keys missing from your car in your day-to-day life. By taking a moment to reverse your steps and scouring the most commonly used hiding places and contacting a local locksmith, you can find your keys and avoid wasting any money or time.

Contact a Locksmith

If you don't have a spare set of keys the best thing to do in the event that you lose the only car key you have is to contact locksmith. They can help you retrieve it quickly, and they'll also be able to guide you on ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. If you know someone who has a car key duplication shop nearby, that's another option but remember that these types of establishments typically require the exact make, model and year of your car in order to copy a key correctly.

You'll need visit your dealer if the car is an older model or uses a smart fob. This can be expensive and especially if you need to purchase the right key for your car and can take a few days or even weeks.

Most people aren't aware that a locksmith can provide the same service at a fraction the cost of a dealership. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith fees and towing costs in the event of a lost key replacement or stolen key. Some even offer roadside assistance that can send professionals to you to assist you with getting into your vehicle.

It's important to verify the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance prior to choosing an agent. It's crucial to report your keys as soon as you can. This ensures that no one else can be able to access your vehicle without permission, and it will also protect you in the event of being victimized by a robber or attacked. Reporting your keys will also enable police officers to be on watch for anyone who might try to gain access to your vehicle in a way that is illegal. In the event of a worst-case scenario you could be protected from criminal charges if someone attempts to take your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when losing the car keys that you have is that you shouldn't be in a panic. Try the above steps and, if you need to, enlist a friend or family member to help.