Lost My Car Keys? Here’s What to Do
Keys will be lost electric key at some point, regardless of how well organized you are. It’s important to be prepared for this situation.
You should call a locksmith, or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. These experts can create a replacement key to fit your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There aren’t many things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even lead you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that could happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.
The best-case scenario would be that they appear exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality things tend to take a darker direction. It is essential to remain calm and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.
Keep in mind that many things don’t go unnoticed forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. Before resorting to extreme measures it’s an ideal idea to go back and trace your steps. To accomplish this it’s a good idea to carry a flashlight to help you find dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend or family member to help you search for a second pair of eyes can be beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you’re unable to locate your keys after retracing steps and checking common places like key hooks, look inside pockets, bags and jackets that you recently wore or used. If you’ve lost your keys in a shop check with other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something unusual.
It might seem obvious to check your bags and pockets for your missing car keys However, it’s essential to do so thoroughly. Empty your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Examine all zippered areas. It’s also a good idea to comb through the recycling and trash bin in case your keys fell out of your bag and were crushed by something other.
It might be beneficial to go through your steps again and search places where you know they aren’t like the refrigerator or freezer. Many things are lost when we reach for something, but then we take it away and then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You’ve had a tiring day and you’re eager to go back home, change into your comfy sweats, eat pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. But, you discover that your car keys are missing.
Examine desks and pockets that are too filled with. It’s also common to leave your keys behind in a crowded spot, such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so make sure to thoroughly check those places.
Under the car is another popular hiding spot. If you decide to choose to do this, ensure that you can remove the gas cap outside your car because a thief could easily see you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.
You can also store your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Just be careful that you don’t put them there too tightly or you’ll accidentally crush them when you shut the car door.
4. Call the police
It is easy to get lost when we are distracted. You may be doing an easy errand and you’ve left your keys on the seat. Or maybe you need two hands to pick up a bag of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to everyone.
It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose anything. You can then submit a police report in order to help protect your car from thieves. This is particularly crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your house, at the store, or somewhere else public.
Before you do this, be sure to go back to your steps. Recreate the scene that you experienced the last time you saw your keys in your head. It is also an excellent idea to ask other people in the vicinity if they have seen your car keys. This will keep your car secure and prevent others from using it. (This could result in additional expenses such as new ignition locks and door locks). If you have a spare key it’s an excellent idea to make an exact copy of it in case this happens to you again.
5. Contact a Locksmith
It’s normal for people to forget where they’ve put their keys, particularly when they are busy or distracted. There are several things you can do to aid.
Begin by retracing the steps you took and searching in the places you believe they may have been left. If you still can’t find them, check the car. It’s not common for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Contact a locksmith to inquire whether they can locate your keys. They might be able to make you a new key or even change your locks if required. They have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
When you do call a locksmith, make sure to provide proof of ownership of your vehicle. You can use your car’s registration or title. Depending on the situation you may have to wait for a new key from the dealership which could take a few days.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
You might lose your car keys at times and it can ruin your day. It might be that you were running an run and forgot to put keys on the floor or maybe you set your key down for a moment to grab something but lost the track of it.
It is crucial to report a lost key immediately to the police. This will leave a trail on paper and will help prevent other people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also allow you to avoid being penalized.
Your homeowner’s policy may cover your keys if reported them as lost keys car to local police. They are considered personal property. It’s best to call your agent to confirm that you are covered before making an insurance claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or any of the other options available. This will help you avoid the stress of having to replace your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Sometimes you can lose your keys when you least expect it. You could be running a quick errand and forget to put them down on the seat, or you may be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work, and don’t remember where you put them.
Luckily, there are ways to stop this from happening in the near future. The best method to prevent this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will ring or flash when you open it, to aid you in finding your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions to allow others can assist you to locate them if they are lost.
You can also make sure you don’t lose your keys by putting them in the same spot every time you come home. It doesn’t matter whether you place them in a bowl on the entry table or a hook near the door. Making this an habit will make it easier to find your keys in the future.
8. Get a New Key
It is crucial to inform your insurance company right away if you lose your car keys or if they’re stolen. You can be certain that your claim will get handled properly if anything happens to the car in the future.
If you have a regular key (which does not contain chip) you can purchase an replacement from any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and cheapest option.
It may be more difficult for vehicles equipped with an electronic key and an electronic fob. You’ll likely need visit your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. Based on the model and make of your car, this could cost you upwards of $200.
To prevent this from happening, keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It’s also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your office or home, especially the place where you tend to lose things.