What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys

The loss of your car keys could be among the most frustrating experiences you can experience. In the shuffle of school pick ups, shopping trips to the grocery store and other chores, things often get lost.

Don't be afraid to take a deep breath. The process of retracing your steps and looking for a long time will often lead to finding the key.

1. Retract Your Steps

It's not a secret that keys are one of the most common items to misplace. It could happen to anyone, whether you're on an errand, distracted when you get out of your car or at home trying to get ready for work and forgetting your keys. There are some things you can do prior to calling a locksmith if you've lost your keys.

You'll need to retrace all your steps. It isn't easy to remember where you were when you last saw your keys, or where you went afterward. You may find it useful to write down the steps you took so that you can find them later.

If you've gone back to the same spot and still haven't found your car keys, it may be time to look in more obvious places. Make sure you look in the pockets or bags you've been wearing throughout the day, and also your house. Remember that your keys may be somewhere nearby - just not in the place you'd think of. You can also locate your keys by looking near other items that they are usually paired with like a laptop, purse or wallet.

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

2. Get a Spare Key

It's not uncommon for keys from cars to disappear from coat pockets, couch cushions or even all by themselves. It was once simple to replace a lost key at any hardware or locksmith store. However, with the advancements in technology for key fobs it's now much more difficult to find a replacement for lost keys.

It's ideal to keep a spare key in your car. You won't need to call a tow-truck, and can easily return your vehicle if you lose your key. It is advisable to have the spare key in a different location than the usual keychain so that it isn't as easily lost. If you don't have an extra key, think about having one made to minimize the chance of losing your keys.

Depending on the type of vehicle you own you may be able to have traditional keys made by a locksmith, or a dealership. It is important to remember that the dealer needs to program your key to match the vehicle you are driving.

Many modern cars are equipped with keyless entry systems that allow you to unlock your car by using a remote control. If you lose the fob, your only option is to go to the locksmith or dealer to help them connect an alternative fob to your vehicle. Try to make it a routine to place your keys in the exact same spot every when you get home. You can put your keys in a bowl or a hook on the front porch, or in the entry table.

3. Empty Your Pockets

It's a terrible feeling to lose your car keys. It can be a bit overwhelming and frantic if you lose your car keys.

Fortunately, panicking won't aid you in finding your keys. It may even make things worse. Keep calm and follow the steps below to find your keys as fast as you can.

Begin by thinking about your day and remembering the last spot you visited them. If you can recall that they were in your pocket, make sure to search all of your bags and pockets thoroughly. You can also repeat the steps you took to determine whether they were found in the world. You can also examine your vehicle to determine if they've been left there however, you'll need to thoroughly search the interior 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 search your freezer and fridge. You will need to open and shut each appliance and look inside for small objects.

Another way to prevent losing your car keys is to tie them to a long lanyard or chain. This makes it easier to find them because they are more noticeable and longer. It is also beneficial to place your keys in a bright hue to make them are noticeable against other items in your handbag or pockets.

4. Contact the police

The most obvious step after losing your keys is to call the police. Reporting your lost keys to the police immediately is crucial so that you do not need to worry about someone using your vehicle or even getting into your home. Apart from that, reporting the loss early also benefits you with regard to insurance coverage since most policies cover the cost of locksmith and even replacement keys at the dealership.

If you contact the police, they'll be able to inform you whether your keys were discovered by someone or have been taken. They'll also give you some suggestions on how you can prevent theft of your keys. If your keys haven't been found, they'll likely request you to give details of when you lost them and lost keys what you were doing prior to that incident.

If you have an old-fashioned metal key that isn't working electronically the first thing you should do is to check your bags, pockets, and anywhere else you normally carry them. After you've checked your pockets, bags and other places you normally carry them, look back in time to remember when you lost the keys. You may have dropped them on a table or in your bag after reaching for something.

If you own a transponder key that operates electronically, it'll need to be paired with the car, which can only be done at the dealership. This can cost a couple hundred dollars or more, depending on the model and brand of your vehicle. You can also ring up emergency roadside service from GEICO which is always accessible on the GEICO mobile app. This service will save your time and money by providing an on-the-go locksmith service for you.

5. Call a Locksmith

If you leave your keys in the trunk when making errands, they could easily disappear. This scenario plays out often, considering that keys missing from cars are the third most lost item in America1. It's not possible to prevent this from happening all the time. But you can take steps to minimize the chance of losing them.

A spare key is a good idea, but it does not guarantee that you will not lose the original. A tracking device on your keychain will assist you in finding your keys in the event that they are lost key for car what to do. A tracking device will notify your smartphone when it detects the signal from your lost keys and makes it easier to find.

If you cannot find the keys to your car, contact locksmiths who will visit and replace the keys. If you are able to provide evidence of ownership, for example the registration or title of your vehicle the locksmith will be able to create a key for you.

Keys that are traditional are the easiest to replace, but If you own a smart key or remote key fob you'll need to contact your dealership to get one custom-made for you. You can also buy replacement keys online. However, make sure you verify that the key is programmed for your particular vehicle.

The loss of your car keys can be a stressful event However, it doesn't have to be. By following the tips given above, you can recover your keys and get back on the road. Be sure to remain cool and calm. Don't get scared! Be aware that you aren't alone. Everyone loses their keys at some time.