Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

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

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

1. Retract your Steps

There aren't many things more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause an anxiety-filled day and even lead to unsavory phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are an organized person or not losing your keys could occur to anyone.

The best-case scenario would be that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). In reality, the situation can often be much more serious. If you lose your keys, it's important to be calm and not panic. You can then retrace the steps.

It's important to keep in mind that most things aren't lost forever, and they are often found in odd places. Before taking drastic measures, it is a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. Bring a flashlight to search dark corners and drawers. You can also ask someone to help you search for you, because a second pair of eyes can be very helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you haven't found your car keys after going back to your steps and looking in common places like key hooks, search for them inside of bags, pockets and jackets that you've worn or used recently. If you've lost your keys at a store, ask other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something out of the ordinary.

Examining your bags and pockets for keys missing may seem like common sense however, you must take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Examine all zippered areas. It's also recommended to go through the trash and recycling bins in the event that your keys fell out of your bag and got crushed by something other.

It may be helpful to go through your steps again and search places where you know they aren't like the freezer or refrigerator. Many things are lost when we search for something, but we forget about it. then forget about it.

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 watch your favorite show. You realize that the keys to your car have disappeared.

Examine desks and pockets that are overly filled with. You could also leave your keys in a busy space, like the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to do this make sure you are able to access the gas cap from outside your vehicle as thieves can easily spot you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys.

You might also try hiding your keys in a corner in the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly as they could be crushed when you close the door.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things simply because we're a bit distracted. You may be running an errand and have your keys in the seat, or you might just require two hands free to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to everyone.

When you lose something, it's important to call the police right away. You can then submit a police report in order to protect your car from theft. This is important when you lose your keys outside of your home, at the shop or in public.

Make sure you retrace all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene you saw the time you last glimpsed your keys in your head. Asking people around you whether they've seen your keys is another excellent idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from using it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new locks for doors and ignition). If you have a spare key it's a good idea to make an exact copy of it in case this happens to you again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's not uncommon for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are a few easy things you can try to aid.

Start by retracing the steps you've taken and searching for the areas you believe they may have been left. If you're still not able to locate them, make sure you check your car. Many people lose their keys that hang from the keychain or in the visor, lost car Key no Spare so it's worth a quick look in there.

Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they have your keys. They might be able to make you a new key or even alter your locks if required. They have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

If you do call a locksmith, be prepared to provide proof of ownership of your vehicle. You can do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on your situation, you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which can take several days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

You might lose your car keys from time to time and it could make your day miserable. It might be that you were running an task and left keys on the floor or maybe you put your key down for a second to grab something, but lost track of it.

It's important to report lost keys as soon as possible to the police. This will create a paper trail and helps to stop other people from using your vehicle without your permission. This will also allow you to avoid being fined.

If you've reported your keys as replace lost keys to the police the homeowner's insurance might be able to cover them as they're personal property. However, it's best to talk to your agent to make sure you're covered before filing an claim.

Keep an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags, Tiles or the many other options available. This will eliminate the headache of replacing a lost car key your car keys and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any moment. You might be running an errand and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your car after a long day at work and forget where you put keys.

There are fortunately ways to prevent this from happening in the near future. One of the best is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be connected to a keyring or Car Keys lost what To Do 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 come with community features that allow other people to help you locate them in case your keys are not in reach.

Another way to prevent losing your keys is to always keep them in the same spot each time you return home. It doesn't matter if you put them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on a hook near the door. Making this routine a habit will help you locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

It is essential to inform your insurance company right away when you lose your car keys or if they're stolen. You can be assured that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the vehicle in the future.

If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key you can purchase a new one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the fastest and cheapest solution.

It may be more difficult for vehicles with smart keys lost for Car and require an electronic fob. It is likely that you will need go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership to get an updated key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200 based on the model and make of your vehicle.

To prevent this from happening, keep an extra set of keys in a different place than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you're likely to lose things.