Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there will come an occasion when you'll lose your car keys. When this happens, it's important to be prepared.
Depending on the vehicle you have, the first call you must make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.
1. Retract your Steps
There are few things more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even lead you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are a meticulously organized person or not losing your keys could occur to anyone.
The best-case scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). However, the situation can often be much more grave. It is crucial to remain calm and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.
It's also important to remember that the majority of things don't go missing forever, and they're often found in some very unusual places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it's an ideal idea to retrace and search your steps. To accomplish this it's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you to aid you in searching dark areas and drawers. You could also ask someone to assist you in your search for items, as a second pair of eyes can be very beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you can't find your keys after retracing steps and examining common areas like key hooks look inside pockets, bags and jackets that you recently wore or used. If you've lost them at the store, talk to employees or customers to see if they noticed anything unusual.
Examining your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might seem obvious but it is important to be thorough. Clean out all pockets you carry including purses and jackets, and make sure to check every zippered space. You should also look in the recycling and trash bins to determine if your keys have been snatched from your bag.
You could also retrace your steps and search places you know the item is not, such as the freezer or fridge. A lot of times, things are lost when we reach for them but then take them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've been working hard all day and are ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, order pizza and binge on your favorite TV show. You find that your keys to your car are missing.
While you're going through your steps take a look at areas that are overly cluttered like tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothing items. It's also common to leave your keys behind in a congested area such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure to thoroughly check those areas.
Another popular hiding place is under the car. If you decide to hide your keys under the car be sure you can easily open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, a thief may be able to see you hiding your keys under your car.
You might also try hiding your keys in a corner in the dashboard or under the seat. Be car lost key replacement that you don't put them there too tightly, as you could accidentally crush them when you shut the door of your car.
4. Contact the police
It is easy to lose things when we are distracted. You might be running an errand and you have put your keys on the seat or you may require two hands to grab a bag full of food items. It happens to all of us.
When you lose something, it's crucial to notify the police right away. You can then file a police report to protect your car from theft. This is essential if you lose your keys outside of your home, at the shop, or anywhere else in public.
Make sure you retrace all of your steps before you begin. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from when you last seen them. Asking other people around you if they've seen your keys is also a excellent idea. This will help ensure your car's security and stop others from stealing it (which could result in additional expenses like new ignition and door locks). It is a good idea should you have an extra car key to make a duplicate in the event you lose it.
5. Contact a locksmith
It's common for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, particularly when they are busy or distracted. Luckily, there are a few ways you can aid.
Retrace the steps you took and searching for the areas in which you think they could be. If you're still not able to locate them, check the car. Many people lose their keys hanging on the keychain or inside the visor It's a good idea to take a quick look in there.
Lastly, call an locksmith to see if they are able to help you find your lost keys. They may be able cut you a key or change the locks if required. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
If you do contact a locksmith, make sure to show proof of ownership of your vehicle. You can use your car's registration or title. It could take several days for a dealer to send you a new key, according to your particular situation.
6. Call 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 accidentally left your keys on the seat, or you may have put them down to grab something for a moment and then lost track.
It's important to report a lost key as soon as possible to the police. This will create a paper trail and helps prevent people from using your vehicle without your permission. This will also allow you to avoid being penalized.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might be able to cover them as they're personal property. However, it's still best to talk to your agent to make sure you're covered before filing an claim.
Consider purchasing a Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will eliminate the stress of having to replace your car keys and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys in reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Sometimes, you'll lose your keys when you least would. You might be running an errand and you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your car after a long day at work and not remember where you placed the keys.
There are ways to stop this happening again. One of the best is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your wallet or keyring and connect to an app for your phone. When you launch the app, it will ring or flash to help you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other users to help you locate them if your keys aren't in reach.
Another way to prevent losing your keys is to keep them in the same place each time you return home. It doesn't matter if it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or hung on a hook near the door, keeping an habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.
8. Get a New Key
It is crucial to inform your insurance company right away in the event that you lose your keys to your car, or if they are stolen. So you can be sure that your claim will be handled in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a standard key (which does not have a chip) you can simply get an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and cheapest option.
For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it may be a little more difficult. You'll need to visit your local dealer to obtain a replacement key. Depending on the make and model of your car this could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.
To avoid this, keep an extra set of keys in a different place than your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a good idea, especially in the areas where you can't find things.