What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys

Losing your car keys can be one of the most difficult experiences you have. In the shuffle of school pick ups, grocery store trips and other chores, things can get lost.

The most important thing to keep in mind is not to get in a state of panic. Finding the key usually involves retracing your steps.

1. Retract your Steps

It's not a secret that keys are one of the most common items to misplace. If you're on the run and get distracted while getting out of your vehicle, or you're at home trying to get ready for the day, and then drop your keys in a rush it could happen to anyone. There are some things you can do before calling a locksmith if you've lost car key no spare your keys.

The first step is to retrace your steps. This can be challenging in a panic mode however, it's crucial to keep track of exactly where you last seen your keys and the places that you went following that. It can also be helpful to write down your steps, to be able to refer back to them in the future.

If you've tried retracing your steps and still haven't found your car keys, it could be time to start looking in more obvious locations. Look in your bags and pockets and the house. Be aware that your keys are probably located nearby, but not in the location you'd think of. It may also be beneficial to locate your keys near other items they're usually paired with, like a laptop or purse.

If you have tried all these options but are still unable to locate your keys, it's time for an emergency locksmith who is available 24 hours per day. But before you do that, try these suggestions to prevent your keys from disappearing in the future.

2. Find an extra key

It's not uncommon for keys from cars to disappear from coat pockets and couch cushions, or just by themselves. Once upon a time it wasn't a big problem since it was easy to find a new key at any hardware store or locksmith. With the introduction of key fob technology, it's now more difficult to replace lost key for car lost keys.

It is recommended to always have an extra car key on your side. You will not have to call a tow truck and will be able to easily return your vehicle if you lose your keys. It is advisable to have the spare key in a different place than your usual keychain, so it's not as easily lost car keys how to replace. If you don't have a spare key, you should consider getting one made to reduce the chance of losing your keys.

It is possible to get an old-fashioned car key made by a locksmith or an auto dealer, based on the car's model. However, it is important to know that the dealer may have to program the key for your specific vehicle.

A majority of modern cars come equipped with an entry system which allows you to unlock your car using the remote control device. If you lose your fob, the only way to get it back is to go to the locksmith or dealer to have them connect the replacement fob with your vehicle. Make it a habit to put your keys in the exact same place every time you arrive home. It could be in the entry table, a bowl on your front porch, or even a hook by the door, it can aid in remembering the location of your keys and where to find them in the future.

3. Empty your pockets

It's a horrible feeling to lose your car keys. It doesn't matter if you dropped them in the rush to get out of the house, or your young ones hid them under the couch to play hide-and-seek the loss of your car keys can make you feel frantic and overwhelmed.

Panicking won't solve your problem and may make it worse. Be calm and follow the steps listed below to locate your keys in the quickest time possible.

Start by thinking back to your day and remembering the last time you were when you last saw them. Check all your pockets and bags if you recall that they were in your wallet. You can also go back through your steps to determine whether you've found them elsewhere. Finally, you can always check your car to see whether they've been discarded, but you'll need to thoroughly search the inside and exterior of the car.

If you've tried everything and still haven't found your car keys, then it's time to conduct more sophisticated searches. You can also look in your freezer and fridge. You'll need to open and close each of these appliances and look around the inside, as you never know where small items may have been hiding.

Another excellent method to avoid losing your car keys is to connect them to a lanyard that is long or a chain. This will make it easier to locate them since they're more noticeable and are longer. You can also make your keys stand out by using a bright color.

4. Call the police

The most obvious step after losing your keys is to call the police. Reporting the lost car keys immediately is important to ensure that you don't have to worry about someone else using your vehicle or getting into your home. In addition, reporting your loss at an early stage can also benefit you in terms of insurance coverage since most policies cover the cost of locksmith and replacement keys at the dealership.

When you call the police and they'll inform you if your keys have been discovered by people or been stolen. They'll also give you some tips on how to avoid the theft of your keys. If your keys haven't yet been discovered, they'll likely ask you to give details of when you lost them and what you were doing prior to that incident.

Check your bags, pockets and other places you usually carry the key. After you've looked over your pockets, bags and other places you usually carry them, you should go back in time to remember when you lost the keys. It's possible that you set them on a counter somewhere or reached into your bag to find something and keys were thrown out.

This can only be done by the dealer if have a transponder that functions electronically. It can cost a couple of hundred dollars or more, based on the model and brand of your vehicle. You can also call emergency roadside assistance from GEICO, always available on the GEICO mobile app. This service will help you save money and time by sending an emergency locksmith on your mobile.

5. Contact for a locksmith

If you're out running errands and leave your keys to your car in the trunk for a moment and they'll disappear. This scenario happens all too often, as keys missing from cars are the third most lost item in America1. Unfortunately, you cannot always stop this from happening. You can, lost car keys how to replace however, take steps to reduce the chance of losing them.

A spare key is a good idea, however, it isn't a ensure that you will not lose the original. Having a tracking device on your keychain can assist you in finding your keys should they become lost. A tracking device sends an alert to your phone when it detects the signal of your lost key which makes it much easier to locate.

If you are unable to locate the keys to your car, contact locksmiths who will visit and replace the keys. The locksmith will be able to create a new key for you, provided that you can prove that you are the owner, like your vehicle's title or registration.

Traditional keys are the easiest to replace, but if you have an electronic key or a remote key fob, you'll need to contact your dealer to have one made specifically for you. You can also purchase replacement keys on the internet. But make sure you verify that the key can be programmed for your particular vehicle.

The loss of your car keys can be stressful, but it does not have to be. You can get your keys back by following the above tips. Remember to stay calm and do not be in a panic! Keep in mind that you're not all on your own. Everyone has lost their keys at one point in time.