Lost My Car Keys? Here’s What to Do
Keys will be lost at some point, no matter how organized you are. If this happens it is crucial to be aware of what to do.
Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you must make is to a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can make a replacement key to fit your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There are few things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause an anxiety-filled day and even trigger unpleasant calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that could happen to anyone, regardless of how organized you are.
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 can often be more grave. When you lose your keys, it is essential to remain calm and follow the steps.
It is important to keep in mind that most things aren’t Lost My Car Key forever, and they are often found in some very unusual places. So, before taking extreme measures it’s a good idea to retrace your steps and conduct a thorough search. To accomplish this it’s a good idea to bring a flashlight to aid you in searching dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a family member or friend member to join you in your search to help you, as a second set of eyes is often helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you haven’t found your car keys after returning to your location and looking in common places like key hooks, search for them inside of pockets, bags and jackets you’ve worn or wore recently. If you lost your keys in a store check with other shoppers or employees if they noticed something different.
It may seem obvious to check your own pockets and bags for the missing car keys however, it’s crucial to do it in a thorough manner. Empty all of the pockets that you carry around including those in jackets and purses and be sure to check every zippered space. You should also check the recycling and trash bins to determine if your keys have been snatched from your bag.
You could also retrace your footsteps and search in places where you know it isn’t in, like the fridge or freezer. Many times, items are lost when we go to them, but knock them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You’ve had a tough day and are eager to go back home, change into your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and watch your favorite TV show. Unfortunately, you realize your car keys are missing.
While you’re retracing your steps take a look at areas that are overly cluttered such as tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. You may also leave your keys in a congested space, like the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.
Under the car is another common place to hide. If you decide to hide your keys there, make sure that you can open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, thieves may be able to see the keys you have hidden under your car.
You can also hide your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don’t secure them too tightly, as you could accidentally crush them when you shut the door of your car.
4. Contact the police
It is easy to get lost when we are distracted. You might be running an errand and put your keys on the seat or you might require two hands to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to all of us.
It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you have lost any item. This way, you can submit a claim and help keep your car safe from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside your home or at the store or in a public place.
Make sure to go through all of your steps before you begin. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the last time you seen them. It’s also a good idea to ask other people in the vicinity whether they have seen your car keys. This will help ensure your car’s security and prevent others from stealing it (which could lead to additional costs such as new ignition and door locks). It is a good idea should you have a spare car key, to duplicate it in case you lose it again.
5. Call for a locksmith
It’s normal for people to forget where they put their keys, particularly when they’re distracted or in a hurry. There are, however, several things you can do to aid.
Start by retracing your steps and looking for places you think you may have abandoned them. If you still can’t find them, make sure you check your car. Many people lose their keys hanging on the keychain or inside the visor It’s a good idea to take taking a look.
Finally, contact a locksmith to find out if they can help you find your lost car key keys. They might be able to cut you a key or change your locks, if needed. They also have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to show proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. You can use your vehicle’s registration or title. Depending on your situation, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership which could take a few days.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
It is possible to lose your keys to your car at times and it could ruin your day. You might have been running a quick errand when you misplaced your keys on the seat, or you could have put them down to take a look at something and lost car keys how to replace track.
It is crucial to report lost keys as soon as possible to the police. This will create a paper record and will stop other people from using your car without permission. This also helps you avoid being penalized.
If you’ve reported your keys as lost to the police and your homeowner’s insurance could cover them since they’re considered personal property. It’s best to contact your agent to confirm that you’re insured prior to filing a claim.
Consider keeping an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the numerous other options available. This will help you avoid the stress of having to replace your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys within reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes you’ll lose your keys when you least expect it. You could be out for a quick errand and do not remember to put them on the seat or you may be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work and you can’t remember where you put them.
There are ways to stop this from happening again. One of the best ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will flash or ring when you open it, to help you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other users to assist you in finding them if your keys are not in reach.
Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always keep them in the same spot every time you get home. If it’s on the table in your entryway or hung on a hook near the door, establishing a habit of this will make it easier to find them in the future.
8. Find a replacement key
It’s important to notify your insurance company immediately when you lose your keys to your car or if they’re stolen. You can be sure that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the car in the future.
If you have a regular key (which doesn’t have a chip) you can simply get a replacement at any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.
For more modern cars with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a little more difficult. You will likely have go to the local dealership and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. Depending on the make and model of your car, this could cost upwards of $200.
To prevent this from happening, keep a spare set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It’s also a good idea to declutter your office or home especially in areas where you tend to lose things.
