How to Return a Lost Key to Car
Car keys have an uncanny way of disappearing. They could be lost in the chaos of bags and pockets in jackets or even disappear into the black hole under the driver’s seat.
It can ruin your day and cancel your plans when you lose the keys to your vehicle. You should be sure to check your car thoroughly prior to.
1. Retract Your Steps
The loss of your car keys can be a frustrating and frightening experience. If you dropped them on the counter after you got a pizza, forgot to put them back on the key holder or lost them while walking through your house, this is something that occurs to everyone. There are ways to recover your keys and reduce the stress of losing your car keys.
Keep calm. Frenzied searching and panicking will only make the situation worse. Slow down and remember the last time you saw them. This will allow you to go back to the steps and locate your keys faster.
Begin with the areas that you are most likely to use such as your office or kitchen. Check your purse, pockets, and other bags for keys. If you are still unable to locate them, try looking in places you store items that are easy to lose like behind a pile or mail, at the bottom of your bag etc. It’s also a good idea to look around your home for the keys – especially in areas where clutter is likely to build up.
It is an excellent option when searching for your keys. It’s often helpful to have a fresh pair of eyes to look for your keys. They might find them where you missed. If you lost your keys at the grocery store or other public area, ask employees or patrons whether they’ve found them. You can inquire if they’ve discovered them. They might have put them in the lost and found or were picked up by another person. You can place a smart tag on your keys, such as Apple AirTag, or Tile.
2. Have a Look Around
Losing your car keys is an absolute nightmare particularly if you don’t have a spare. There are solutions to this issue that won’t cause any trouble. You can begin by taking a walk back and examining the places you’ve visited recently. You can also look through your bags, pockets and other belongings.
You can ask your friends and family members to search on your behalf. They may know where you lost your keys. It’s best to do this before you call a locksmith. It will save you money in the end.
Sometimes we forget keys to our cars at the most awkward moments. You’re driving to home after an exhausting day at work when you realize you have no idea where the keys are. Or, you’re putting groceries into your trunk and you accidentally put your keys inside when you shut the lid.
If you’re lucky, you might find them in a surprising spot, such as under the couch, or even in a pile of mail. If you’re unlucky, you may have to pay a locksmith the duplicate. Fortunately, most modern automobiles have an immobilizer, and you can’t start your car with the original key. You can make use of the spare key to open your car’s doors and trunk.
3. Make a Copy
Not so long ago, misplacing your car key was not a big deal – you could have an exact duplicate for less than $10 at the local hardware store. Things are a bit more complicated. Most modern cars come with an electronic key fob that locks and opens the car, and also controls many of the vehicle’s functions.
They are more expensive to replace if you don’t have a spare. The good thing is that if have roadside assistance insurance and your insurance company will pay to dispatch locksmiths to make an additional key for you. You’ll be accountable for the cost of a new key.
You could also ask the dealer who bought your car to create copies. It’s more expensive than getting a locksmith make a copy, but this may be your only alternative. Depending on the model of your vehicle it might be difficult to find an expert locksmith to work with your particular type of key. It is recommended to keep an extra car key home. Also, consider purchasing a smart tag (such as the Apple AirTag or Tile) to track your keys.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Every car owner has lost their keys at least once. This usually happens because of the act of forgetfulness or when keys are lost in a bag or inside a coat pocket. The loss of your car keys can be a nightmare regardless of the reason. It can ruin your day and cause an abundance of stress. There are a variety of ways to locate them quickly.
First, make sure to go back to your original steps. This may sound like a simple task, but it’s important to take. Look in all of your pockets and bags and search for zippered areas. Check under your car and in your home to see if there are any hidden compartments or drawers.
Once you’ve retraced your steps and had a closer glance around, it’s time to contact your insurance provider. This is especially important if your car uses transponders. These keys are only paired at the dealer.
The positive side is that, so long as you report the loss at an early stage your insurance policy for your car will cover any damage caused by somebody else using your lost keys to gain entry into your vehicle and drive around in it. This includes things like scratches on the doors or ignition.
It’s worth noting that in the event that you do not file an insurance claim for keys that you lost and your car insurance premiums will likely increase. It’s usually cheaper to file an insurance claim than to pay hundreds of dollars for one lost key. In the final analysis, it’s up to you to determine what is appropriate for your specific situation.
5. Call for a locksmith
If you look for your keys in your purse or pocket and they’re not there it’s a bad experience. Losing your keys could be a major issue and can cause stress, anxiety, or even panic. It is best to call locksmiths rather than try to locate your keys yourself or to call roadside assistance. This way, you’ll be able to return to your vehicle quickly and without any time.
When you contact a locksmith be sure to have a few important pieces of information to speed up the process. For instance, the car’s key identification number (VIN) is a key piece of information that can usually be located on the driver’s side of the door jamb or in the owner’s manual, and the driver’s license to prove ownership. This will allow the locksmith to determine what type of key you have and which one is required.
If you have a spare key it is a good idea to have on hand. Many people store spare keys in easy-to-find places, like under the cushions on their sofas or online in a pile of mail. Check with your local police department to determine if keys have been returned. Last but not least, inform your insurance company about the missing key. This will prevent you from losing your claim in the event that it is found later. In the event of a loss, you could be required to pay for a replacement. If you have to replace your key, a professional NYC auto locksmith will be able to help. They can create a new key on site and reprogram the system to ensure that it is matched to your original key. This is a faster and less expensive alternative to going to a dealership.