Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there comes an occasion when you'll lose your car keys. When this happens, it's important to know what to do.
It is recommended to contact a locksmith, or a dealership, based on the vehicle. They can design keys for replacement for your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There are few things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety and even lead you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that can happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). In reality the situation could be much more grave. If you lose your keys, it is essential to remain calm and retrace the steps.
It is important to remember that most things aren't lost forever, and they're often found in strange places. So, before taking extreme measures it's a good idea to retrace your steps and search thoroughly. Bring a flashlight with you to search dark corners and drawers. You could also ask someone to help you search for you, as a second pair of eyes can be very beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you've not found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking in common places like key hooks, look for them inside of bags, pockets, and jackets you wore or wore recently. If you lost them in the store, talk to other customers or workers to see if they noticed anything unusual.
It may seem obvious to look in your pockets and bags for your missing car keys however, it's crucial to do so thoroughly. Empty your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Feel around all zippered areas. It's also an excellent idea 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.
You can also retrace your steps and look in places you know the item isn't in, like the fridge or freezer. Sometimes, items are lost when we reach for them but then slam them away and forget about them.
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 on your favorite TV show. But, you discover that your car keys have disappeared.
While you're walking around take a look at areas that are overly cluttered like desks and tabletops as well as the pockets of your clothes. You could also leave your keys in a crowded space, like the door handle or in the refrigerator.
Under the car is another common place to hide. However, if you do this, make sure you are able to remove the gas cap outside your car because thieves can easily spot you crouched under your car to hide your keys under the car.
g28carkeys could also consider hiding your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Be sure that you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally crush them when you close the car door.
4. Call the Police
It is easy to lose things when we are distracted. You may be on the run for a few minutes and you have put your keys on the seat or you might require two hands to carry a load of food items. Whatever the reason, it happens to all.
When you lose something, it is important to notify the police right immediately. This way, you will be able to file a report and help keep your car safe from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your home or at the store or in a public place.
Before you do this, be sure to go back to your steps. Recreate the scene that you experienced the time you last glimpsed your keys in your mind. It is also a good idea to ask other people in the area if they have seen your car keys. This will keep your car secure and prevent others from using it. (This could lead to costs like new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea, in the event that you have a spare car key, to make a duplicate in the event that you lose it again.
5. Contact an expert locksmith
It's common for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, particularly when they are distracted or in a rush. Luckily, there are several things you can do to help.
Retrace the steps you took and then searching for the locations in which you think they could have been left. If you're unable to locate them, consider checking in the car itself. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys under the visor or on the keychain.
Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they have your keys. They might be able to make you a new key or even change the locks on your home if needed. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
When you do call locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on the situation you may have to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which can take a number of days.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
You might lose your car keys from time to time and it could make your day miserable. You may have been running a quick errand when you accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you could have put them down to get something to grab for a second and lost track.
It is important to report a lost key as soon as possible to the police. This will create a paper trail and helps keep others from using your vehicle without permission. It also stops you from getting penalized.
Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. But, it's advisable to talk to your agent to ensure you're covered prior to filing a claim.
Keep an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags, Tiles or any of the other options available. This will help you avoid the headache of replacing your car keys, and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys within reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes, you'll lose your keys at the time you least would. You might be out for a quick errand and forget to put them down on the seat or may be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work, and don't remember where you put them.
There are fortunately ways to prevent this from happening in the future. The best way to do this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your phone. The app will blink or ring once you open it to aid you in finding your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow others can assist you to locate them if you are out of range.
You can also prevent losing your keys by always putting them in the same spot every time you come home. It doesn't matter if put them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on a hook near the door. Making this an habit will help you locate your keys in the future.
8. Get a New Key
It is essential to inform your insurance company immediately if you lose your keys to your car or if they're stolen. So you'll be able to rest assured that your claim will be dealt with correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a standard key (which does not contain chip) you can purchase an replacement from any locksmith or hardware store. This is usually the quickest and cheapest option.
It may be more difficult for cars with smart keys and require an electronic fob. You'll have go to your local dealer to get a replacement key. Based on the make and model of your car, this could cost you upwards of $200.
To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key to keep it somewhere other than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you can't find things.