Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how organized you are, there will come the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. It's crucial to be prepared for this situation.

Depending on your vehicle the first call you need to make is a locksmith or a dealership. These experts can create a replacement key to fit your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more painful than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your entire day, create anxiety and even lead you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are a meticulously organized person or not losing your keys could occur to anyone.

The best-case scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). In reality the situation could be more grave. It is crucial to remain calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

Remember that many things are not lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Before taking drastic measures, it is an ideal idea to retrace and search your steps. Bring a flashlight with you to search for dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend or family member to search with you, as another set of eyes can be helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after going back to your steps and looking at common locations like key hooks, look for them inside of bags, pockets, and jackets you wore or used recently. If you Lost keys to car no Spare your keys at a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they noticed something unusual.

It might seem obvious to check your bags and pockets for your missing car keys However, it's essential to do it thoroughly. Clean out all pockets that you carry around, including purses and jackets, and make sure to look around every zippered area. It's also an excellent idea to go through the trash and recycling bins in the event that keys got lost keys to car in your bag and were crushed by something else.

It may be helpful to go back again and look for places you are sure they aren't, such as the freezer or refrigerator. A lot of times, things disappear when we try to find them but then take them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've put in the hours and are now ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, order pizza and binge on your favorite TV show. But, you discover that your car keys are missing.

While you're walking around be sure to check out areas that are cluttered such as tabletops and lost keys to car no Spare desks and also the pockets of your clothes. It's also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a crowded spot, 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 popular hiding spot. However, if you choose to do this, ensure that you can access the gas cap from outside your vehicle as thieves could easily spot you crouched under your car to hide your keys under the car.

You can also put your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Just be careful that you don't place them too tightly or you'll accidentally crush them when you shut the door of your car.

4. Call the police

Sometimes, we lose things because we are just a little bit distracted. You may be on the run for a few minutes and have your keys on the seat, or you might just require two hands free to pick up a bag of groceries. Whatever the reason, lost keys to car no spare it occurs to everyone.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you have lost anything. This way, you can file a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially important if your keys are lost car keys near me outside your home or at the store or at a location that is public.

Before you begin, be sure to go back to your steps. Recreate the scene you saw when you last looked at your keys in your head. Asking people around you if they've seen your keys is also a excellent idea. This will help keep your vehicle secure and prevent others from stealing it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new ignition locks and door locks). It is a good idea should you have an extra car key to duplicate it in the event you lose it.

5. Call a Locksmith

Many people forget where they placed their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are a few simple tips you can use to aid.

Start by retracing the steps you took and then searching for the locations you believe they may have been left. If you're unable to locate them, try looking inside the car. Many people lose their keys that hang from the keychain or in the visor It's a good idea to take taking a look.

Call a locksmith and ask whether they can locate your keys. They may be able cut keys for you or alter the locks if required. They have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

Make sure you have proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. You can do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. It could take for several days for a dealership to send you a new key, dependent on the circumstances.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

There are times when you lose your car keys, and it can put a huge damper on your day. It might be that you were running a quick run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you set your keys down for a moment to grab something, but lost the track of it.

Notifying a stolen or lost key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This creates a paper trail and will help keep other people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also ensure that you don't get penalized.

The homeowner's insurance policy could cover your keys if reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to call your agent to confirm that you're insured prior to filing a claim.

Keep an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags, Tiles or the many other options available. This will help you avoid going through the hassle of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing your keys are always at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least think about it. You might be running an errand and forget to place them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your car after a long working day and not remember the place you put them.

There are fortunately ways to stop 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 affixed to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will blink or ring when you open it to help you locate your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions to allow other users can help you find them if they are lost.

Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to place them in the same spot every time you get home. It doesn't matter if you put them in an table in the entryway or on a hook near the door. Making this a habit will help you locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a New Key

It is essential to inform your insurance company immediately in the event that you lose your keys to your car, or if they are stolen. You can be sure that your claim will be dealt with properly in the event of any damage to the vehicle in the future.

If you own a standard key (which doesn't have chip) you can purchase a replacement at any hardware store or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and cheapest alternative.

It could be more difficult for vehicles that have smart keys and require an electronic fob. You'll need to visit your local dealership to get a replacement key. Based on the model and make of your car it could cost upwards of $200.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key to keep it somewhere other than your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a great idea, especially in areas where you lose things.