What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key
Things are lost key car in the chaos that is life including kids, errands, work, socializing with friends, and so on. Sometimes it’s the small stuff, like keys.
For most cars keys, a new one can be purchased at the local hardware store, along with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a cost-effective option.
Retract your Steps
It’s a pain to lose your only car keys and be unable to access your vehicle. You can be a victim of time, money and peace of your mind. The first thing you must do when you’ve lost your car keys is to stay calm. Panicking will not help you locate your keys any faster, and could cause more damage.
Begin by attempting to remember when you last looked at your keys. You might have lost them when you brought groceries in or you could have put them in your pocket when you were running an run. Retracing your steps can help you find your lost keys in no time at all.
If retracing steps isn’t working, try writing all the places you visited throughout the day. This could trigger your memory and provide you with the clue you need to locate your keys. After you’ve written down all possible spots your keys could be, make sure you examine each location. Sometimes keys “drift” to the side, floor or even under something and you may be in a position to retrieve them right where you left them.
Check Inside Your Car
It wasn’t long ago that misplacing, or even losing a car keys was not a huge issue. The majority of people had spare keys connected to their car in a small container stuck to the inside of the bumper. Nowadays, however, cars are getting more technologically advanced and that means the keys are more likely to go missing. Replacing a lost or stolen car key can take many steps and can cost hundreds of dollars depending on the vehicle type and model year. This is why it’s crucial to have a backup in case you ever do lose your sole car key.
Take an exhale before you start worrying about losing your one car key. Try to remain calm. Once you’ve got your emotions under control you can begin to work through the steps to locate it. Begin by retracing your steps and think about the last time you held keys in your palm. It’s not uncommon to juggle your keys while you reach for other things, and sometimes they end on the floor of your car where you don’t even see them.
Then, thoroughly search your vehicle. Pay special attention to the areas where you usually put them. You may have accidentally knocked the items out of your bag or left them on your dashboard after you got out of your vehicle to go to the store.
Also, you should look through your purses, pockets, and bags. You might not be aware of your deep pockets or large bags.
If you’re still unable to locate your keys, it’s time to contact a locksmith for help. If you own an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith could usually make you a new one on the spot. If, however, you own a modernized key fob that includes chips, you’ll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide evidence of ownership to obtain a replacement.
Make sure you are aware of your hide spots
Whether you were in a rush to get out of the house, distracted while trying to eat a sandwich or talk on the phone, or simply forgot your keys, it’s easy to lose keys when you’re busy. The good news is that a lot of people have spare keys they keep in their home or office that can easily be located in the right place. If you have an extra key, it is important to check all of the places you’ve previously stored keys. This includes obvious places like a purse, backpack or a sofa pocket, a stack on your desk, or in a dresser drawer. If you have a family member with you ask them to look over the same places as well.
There are magnetic boxes as well as mini vaults that you could place on your vehicle to store keys that you don’t need. These are great for hiding keys because they can’t be knocked off by accident when you drive over bumps, and they will also shield your keys from the elements. Many of these storage devices also have combination locks, so that even if you hand the key to a relative, they can’t open it without your permission.
Another trick to hide keys is to buy fake rocks that have an enclosed compartment. This is a great solution for outdoor areas, but it is important to be aware that burglars are often looking for these items. If you choose to employ this technique, you can employ a dark duct tap to make it more difficult for thieves to see.
The hood is the final spot to look. If you have keys that open the cap on your gas tank it could be the perfect spot to conceal it since it won’t be so obvious. Be sure to use a strong piece of tape so that the key won’t fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to take it out.
Lost car keys can be a major hassle but there are ways to lessen the impact they have on your day to day life. By taking a moment to Retract Your Steps by scouring all of the most frequent hiding spots, and calling an expert locksmith in your area to locate your keys and avoid wasting any unnecessary time or money.
Contact a Locksmith
If you don’t have a spare set of keys the best thing you can do if you lose your car keys is to call locksmith. They can assist you in recovering the key quickly and offer advice on how to avoid this repeating itself in the future. If you know someone who owns a duplication shop for car keys nearby, that’s a different option but remember that these types of establishments often need to have the exact make, model and year of your car to duplicate keys correctly.
If your car is a more recent model, or if it utilizes an electronic key fob, you’ll need to go to your dealer for a replacement. This can be costly, especially when the dealer must purchase a new key for your vehicle. It could also take a few days or weeks.
One thing that many people don’t know is that a professional locksmith will typically provide the same service as dealerships but at only a fraction of the cost. Many insurance policies cover locksmith fees and towing costs in the event of a lost car keys replacement cost uk key or stolen keys. Some even provide roadside assistance, which can provide professionals to help you get into your car.
If you have comprehensive auto insurance, it’s worth reviewing your coverage prior to choosing a dealership. It’s essential to report your keys as soon as possible, too. This will ensure that no one else can be able to access your vehicle without your permission, and will also protect you in case you’re ever victimized by a robber or attacked. Reporting your keys will also allow police officers to be on the lookout for anyone who may try to gain access to your vehicle in a way that is illegal. In the worst case scenario you could be shielded from criminal charges in the event that someone tries to steal your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when you lose the car keys that you have is to not be in a state of panic. Try the above steps and, if needed, enlist a friend or family to help.
