What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key
In the chaos of life – kids, errands, work and socializing with friends things are lost. It’s not always the big things. Sometimes, it’s the little things like keys.
For most cars, a new key can be created at your local hardware store with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a cheap option.
Retract Your Steps
There is nothing more painful than losing your sole car key and not being able get in your vehicle. You can be a victim of time, money and peace of your mind. But the first thing you should do when you’ve lost your car keys is to stay calm. Panicking won’t help you locate your keys quicker and could cause more damage.
Try to remember the last time you observed them. You might have lost them when you brought your groceries in or put them in your pocket as you were running an run. You can locate your keys by following your steps.
If you are unable to trace your steps, lost my only car key and it doesn’t work, try recording all the places you’ve been throughout the day. This will help you remember where you went and may give you a clue as to where your keys are. After you’ve jotted down all the possible spots your keys could be, make sure you make sure you check each spot. Sometimes, keys “drift” to the floor, side or underneath something and you may be able to pick them up right where you left them.
Look Inside Your Car
It wasn’t that long ago that misplacing, or even losing a car key was not a huge issue. Most people had a spare attached to the car in a small container attached to the inside of the bumper. Nowadays, however, vehicles are becoming more advanced in technology and that means the keys are more likely to be lost. Replacing a stolen or lost car key can take multiple steps and could cost hundreds of dollars depending on the car’s type and year of manufacture. This is why it’s crucial to have a backup key in the event that you lose your only car key.
Take an exhale before you panic about losing your car key. Try to remain calm. Once you’ve managed your emotions you can go through the steps to locate it. Retrace your steps and reflect on the last time you held keys in your palm. It’s not unusual to carry your keys as you grab other items, 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 places you usually put them. You may have left them on the dashboard as you stepped out of your car to go to a store or perhaps you walked into your bag to get snacks and accidentally threw them out.
You should also examine your purses, pockets and bags. You might forget to check your deep pockets, or large bags.
Contact a locksmith if you can’t locate your keys. If you have an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith could typically make you an entirely new key on the spot. If, however, you own an older key fob that has a chip, you’ll need to contact your dealer and possibly provide proof of ownership in order to receive an exchange.
Make sure you are aware of your hiding spots
If you were in a rush to get out of the house or were distracted trying to eat a sandwich and talk on the phone or even forgot your keys, it’s easy to lose keys when you’re working. It’s a good thing the majority of people have a spare key in their workplace or at home that they can easily find. If you have a spare key, it is essential to check all of the places where you have previously kept the keys. This includes obvious places like a purse, backpack or a pocket on the sofa or a pile on your desk, or even a dresser drawer. Have a friend do the same.
There are a variety of magnetic boxes and mini-vaults made to stick onto your vehicle so that you can keep a spare key inside it. They are great for hiding keys as they won’t fall off accidentally when driving over a bump and also protect your key from the elements. A lot of these storage units also come with combination locks, meaning that even if a friend receives the key and opens the door, they won’t be able to open it without your assistance.
Another popular trick for hiding keys is to buy a fake rock that has a compartment that is hidden. This is a great solution for outdoor areas, but you should be aware that thieves are often on the lookout for these items. If you choose to utilize this method, you could make use of a dark duct to make it harder for thieves to find.
Another place to look is the hood of your vehicle. If you have keys that open the cap on your gas tank, this can be an ideal spot to hide it because it won’t be as obvious. Be sure to use a heavy-duty piece of tape to ensure the key doesn’t fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to take it out.
There are ways to reduce the impact of keys missing from your car in your daily routine. You can locate your keys by retracing your steps and examining the most frequent hiding spots. Contacting a locksmith in your area can help you avoid wasting time and money.
Contact a locksmith
If you don’t have a spare set of keys the best thing you can do if you’ve lost car keys how to replace your only car key is call locksmith. They can help you retrieve it quickly, and they’ll also be able to guide you on ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. If you know someone who owns a key duplication shop for cars nearby, that’s a different option however, remember that these kinds of businesses usually require the specific make, model and year of your car to duplicate a key correctly.
You’ll have to visit your dealer if your vehicle is an older model or is equipped with an electronic fob. It can be expensive and especially if you need to purchase the right key for Lost My Only Car Key your vehicle and it could take a few days or even weeks.
A thing that many don’t know is that a professional locksmith will typically provide the same service as a dealership however at a fraction of the cost. Most insurance policies cover locksmith fees and towing in the event of a lost my only car key or stolen key. Some even provide roadside assistance, which will send experts to assist you with getting into your car.
It’s important to verify the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before selecting a dealer. It is also important to inform the police immediately if you can. This will ensure that your car is not used without permission and you are protected in the event of a robbery or assault. By declaring your keys, you also notify police of anyone who might attempt to access your car illegally. In the event of a worst-case scenario it could also protect you from criminal charges if someone does try to take your car. The most important thing to keep in mind when you lose your only car key is that you should never panic. Try the above steps and, if you need to, enlist a friend or family member to assist.