Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You'll lose your keys at some point, regardless of how organized you are. It's crucial to be prepared for this scenario.

You should contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on your vehicle. They can design an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things that are more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety, and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are a meticulously organized person or not the loss of your keys can occur to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). In reality, the situation can often be much more grave. If you lose your keys, it's essential to remain calm and follow the steps.

Remember that many things don't go unnoticed forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures it's a good idea to revisit your steps and search thoroughly. Bring a flashlight with you to look through dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend to assist you in your search for you, as a second pair of eyes can be very beneficial.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after returning to your location and looking in common places like key hooks, look for them inside of bags, pockets and jackets that you've worn or used recently. If you've lost car key them in the store, talk to other customers or workers to see if they have noticed anything unusual.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might appear obvious, but you should take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, including the ones on purses and jackets. Examine the zippered areas. It's also recommended to go through the trash and recycling bins in the event that keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something other.

You can also trace your steps and look in places you know the item is not, such as the fridge or freezer. Many times, items disappear when we go to them, but then slam them away and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've worked hard all day and are ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, order pizza and binge watch your favorite show. You realize that the keys to your car have disappeared.

While you're going through your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered like tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothing items. It's also not uncommon to leave keys in a congested area, such as inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so be sure to thoroughly check those areas.

Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. If you decide to do this make sure you can remove the gas cap outside your car because a thief could easily see you crouched under your car to hide your keys.

You could also consider hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Make sure you don't put them there too tightly, as you could accidentally crush them when you shut the door of your car.

4. Call the Police

We are prone to lose things when we're distracted. You could be running a quick errand, and you've forgotten your keys on the car seat. Or perhaps you need two hands to carry the groceries. Whatever the reason it happens to every person.

If you have lost something, it's crucial to notify the police right immediately. You can then make a police report to protect your car from theft. This is important when you have lost your keys outside your home, in the shop or any other place in public.

Make sure to go through all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced when you last glimpsed your keys in your mind. It is also a good idea to ask other people in the area whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car safe and lost car key replacement price stop others from stealing it (which may result in extra costs such as new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea if you have an extra car key to duplicate it in the event that you lose it again.

5. Contact an expert locksmith

It's common for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they are distracted or in a hurry. There are a few basic things you can try to assist.

Retrace your steps, and then searching for areas you think you might have abandoned them. If you still can't find them, make sure you check your car. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

Last but not least, contact an locksmith to find out if they can help you find your lost keys. They may be able cut keys or replace the locks if required. They have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. This includes your registration or title. Depending on the situation you may have to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which could take a few days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

You might lose your keys to your car at times and it could make your day miserable. You could have been on an easy errand and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you might have sat down to get something to grab for a second and lost track.

Notifying a stolen or Lost Car Key Replacement Price key to the police as soon as you can is crucial. This will create a paper record and help prevent other people from using your car without your permission. It also prevents you from being punished.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might be able to take them in as personal property. It's best to contact your agent and confirm that you're covered prior to filing a claim.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the many other options available. This will help you avoid the hassle of having to replace your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes, you'll lose your keys when you least expect it. You might be running a quick errand, and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car keys lost what to do after a long day at work and not remember where you placed keys.

There are ways to stop this from happening again. The best way to do this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your wallet or keyring, and can connect with an app on your phone. When you launch the app, it will ring or flash to assist you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other users to help you locate the keys if they are not in range.

You can also prevent losing your keys by placing them in the same spot every time you come home. It doesn't matter if put them in a bowl on the table or hang them on a hook by the door. Making this routine a habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

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

If you have a regular key (which does not contain chip) you can get an alternative from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.

It might be more difficult for cars with smart keys and require an electronic fob. You'll likely need to go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership to get an updated key. This can cost you up to $200, based on the model and make of your car.

To avoid this, keep a spare set of keys in a different place than your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you can't find things.