Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Whatever way you are, there's a time when you lose your car keys. When this happens, it's important to know what to do.

Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you must make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. These professionals can create a replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There aren't many things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety, and even lead you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not the loss of your keys can occur to anyone.

The best-case scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the norm). But, Lost My Car Keys in reality things often take a much more dire direction. It is important to keep your cool and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

It's also important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they're often found in some very odd locations. Before you resort to drastic measures, it's an ideal idea to retrace and search your steps. Bring a flashlight to look through dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend to assist you in your search for items, as a second pair eyes can be very helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you can't find your keys after retracing steps and examining common areas like key hooks, examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently were wearing or used. If you've lost keys in car them in the store, talk to employees or customers to determine if they saw something unusual.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem obvious, but you should do it thoroughly. Take out all pockets you carry such as purses and jackets and be sure to check every zippered space. It's also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycling bins in case keys fell out of your bag and were crushed by something other.

It could be beneficial to retrace your steps once time and look around for areas where you know they're not, such as the refrigerator or freezer. Many items are lost when we look for something but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, eat pizza and watch your favorite show. But, you discover that your car keys are missing.

Check pockets and desks that are cluttered. 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 be sure you've thoroughly checked those places.

Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you decide to hide your keys under the car, make sure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, thieves may be able to see the keys you have hidden under your car.

You can also hide your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seat. Just be careful that you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally crush them as you close the car door.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we're a little bit distracted. You could be running an easy errand and you've forgotten your keys on the car seat. Perhaps you require two hands to grab the groceries. It happens to all of us.

If you have lost car keys what to do something, it's crucial to notify the police right away. This way, you will be able to submit a claim and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly crucial if your keys get lost outside of your house or at the store or in a public place.

Make sure to go through all of your steps before you begin. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from when you last observed them. It's also a good idea to ask other people in the vicinity whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your vehicle secure and prevent others from using it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new ignition locks and door locks). If you have a spare key, it's always a good idea to make a copy of it in case something similar occurs again.

5. Contact a Locksmith

It's common for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are, however, a few ways you can assist.

Begin by retracing the steps you've already taken and searching for the areas in which you think they could be. If you are still unable to locate them, check the car. Many people lose their keys that hang from their keychains or the visor It's a good idea to take having a quick look.

Call a locksmith and ask if they can find your keys. They may be able cut you a new key or even alter the locks on your home if needed. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

Make sure you have proof of ownership when you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on the situation you may have to wait for Lost My Car Keys a replacement key from the dealership, which could take a few days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are occasions when you lose your car keys and it can put a major damper on your day. It might be that you were running an errand and accidentally left keys on the floor or maybe you put your key down for a second to grab something and lost track of it.

It is important to report lost keys as soon as you can to the police. This will result in a paper record and will stop other people from using your vehicle without your permission. This also helps you avoid getting fined.

Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if you have reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to contact your agent and confirm that you're insured prior to making an insurance claim.

You should consider investing in the purchase of a Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will eliminate the stress of having to replace your car keys and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Keys can be lost at any time. You could be out on an errand and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long working day and not remember the place you put keys.

There are ways to prevent this happening again. One of the best ways is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your phone. The app will ring or flash when you open it to help you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow others to help you locate the keys if they are out of range.

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to keep them in the same spot each time you return home. It doesn't matter if you place them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on a hook by the door. Making this routine a habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing is to inform your insurance company right away. You can be sure that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the car in the future.

If you own a standard key (which does not contain chip) you can simply get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and most affordable alternative.

It may be more difficult for vehicles equipped with a smart key and require an electronic fob. You'll have to visit your local dealership to purchase a new key. This can cost you up to $200 based on the model and make of your vehicle.

To avoid this, keep a spare set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to declutter your office or home, especially the place that you tend to drop things.