Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there comes a time when you lose your car keys. If this happens it is crucial to know what to do.
You should call a locksmith, or a dealership, based on your vehicle. These experts can create an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.
1. Retract your Steps
There aren't many things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can make your day miserable, cause lots of stress and can even result in unpleasant calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that can happen to anyone, regardless of how organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they show up exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). In reality it is possible for the situation to be more serious. It is crucial to keep your cool and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.
Keep in mind that many things are not lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. So, before taking extreme measures it's best to retrace your steps and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight with you to look through dark corners and drawers. You could also ask someone to assist you in your search for you, as a second pair eyes can be very beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you can't find your keys after retracing your steps and examining common areas like key hooks examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently wore or used. If you lost your keys in a store, ask other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something out of the ordinary.
It might appear obvious to check your own pockets and bags for your missing car keys, but it's important to do it in a thorough manner. Clean out all pockets you have on you including those in jackets and purses, and make sure to look around every zippered area. Also, check the recycling and trash bins to see if your keys have fallen out of your bag.
It could be beneficial to go through your steps again and search places where you are sure they aren't, such as the freezer or refrigerator. Sometimes, items go missing when we go to them, but then slam them away and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a tiring day and just want to go home, put on your comfy sweats, eat some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite TV show. Unfortunately, you realize your car keys have disappeared.
While you're going through your steps, check overly cluttered spaces like tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothing items. It's also common to lose your keys in a congested area such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've checked these areas.
Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. However, if you do this make sure you remove the gas cap outside your car because a thief could easily see you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys.
You can also put your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Be careful not to place them too tightly because you could accidentally smash them when you close the door.
4. Call the Police
Sometimes, we forget things because we are just a bit distracted. You might be running a quick errand, and you have left your keys in the car seat. Perhaps you require two hands to grab the food items. Whatever the reason, it occurs to every person.
It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you have lost any item. You can then file a police report to help protect your car from theft. This is crucial in the event that you have lost your keys outside your home, in the shop, or anywhere else in public.
Be sure to retrace every step before you begin. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from when you last observed them. It is also an excellent idea to ask others in the vicinity whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car secure and prevent others from stealing it (which may result in extra costs such as new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key it's always an excellent idea to make an exact copy of it in the event that this happens to you again.
5. Call an expert locksmith
Many people forget where they put their keys, especially if they're busy or distracted. There are, however, some ways you can aid.
Retrace your steps and looking for places you think you may have left them. If you are still unable to locate them, look in the car. Many people have keys that are hanging from the keychain or in the visor It's a good idea to take taking a look.
Finally, contact locksmiths to see if they can assist you in finding your keys that have disappeared. They may be able cut you a key or change your locks, if needed. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
If you do contact a locksmith, be prepared to show proof of ownership for your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. It could take for several days for a dealership to send you a new key, according to your particular situation.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
There are occasions that you'll lose your car keys, and it can put a major damper on your day. It could be because you were running an task and left them on the seat or maybe you put your key down for a moment to grab something, but lost the track of it.
Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is important. This will create a paper trail and can keep other people from using your vehicle 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 be able to cover them as they're personal property. It's best to call your agent and confirm that you are covered prior to filing an insurance claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags, Tiles or the numerous other options available. This will save you the headache of replacing your car keys, and ensure that you always have your keys within reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
It is possible to lose your keys at any time. You could be on an errand and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your car after a long workday and forget where you put them.
There are ways to stop this happening again. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be affixed to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. Once you open the app, it will ring or flash to help you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other people to help you locate them if your keys are not in range.
Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to keep them in the same spot every time you get home. It doesn't matter if it's on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, establishing a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.
8. Get a Replacement Key
If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen the most important thing is to inform your insurance provider right away. You can be sure that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the car in the future.
If lost my car keys what do i do own a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can purchase an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and least expensive option.
For more modern cars with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it could be a little more difficult. It is likely that you will need go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain an entirely new key. Based on the model and make of your vehicle this could cost you upwards of $200.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key and keep it somewhere different from your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you lose things.