Lost My Car Keys? Here’s What to Do
Keys will be lost at some point, no matter how well organized you are. If this happens it is crucial to be prepared.
Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you must make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design a replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There are few things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your entire day, create anxiety and even trigger unwanted phone calls from strangers. It doesn’t matter if are an organized person or not, losing your keys can happen to anyone.
The best-case scenario would be that they show up exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). But, in reality, things tend to take a darker turn. If you lose your keys, it’s important to be calm and not panic. You can then retrace the steps.
It is also important to remember that most things won’t disappear forever, and they are often found in some very odd places. So, before taking extreme measures it’s a good idea to revisit your steps and conduct a thorough search. Bring a flashlight to look through dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a family member or friend member to help you search to help you, as a second set of eyes is often helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you are unable to locate your keys after retracing steps and examining places you’ve used like key hooks check inside bags, pockets and jackets that you have recently were wearing or used. If you lost car keys replacement them in a store, ask others who are customers or employees to see if they have noticed something unusual.
Checking your pockets and bags for missing keys may seem obvious but it is important to be thorough. Clean out all pockets you carry such as those in purses and jackets and check every zippered space. It’s also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycling bin in the event that keys were to fall out of your bag and got crushed by something else.
It might be beneficial to go back time and look around for areas where you know they’re not like the fridge or freezer. Many things are lost when we reach for something, but we forget about it. then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You’ve had a tough day and just want to get home, change into your cozy sweats, eat pizza, and watch your favorite TV show. You realize that your car keys have disappeared.
Examine desks and pockets that are too filled with. You may also leave your keys in a congested area, such as the door handle or refrigerator.
Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you decide to do this, make sure you access the gas cap from outside your car as thieves can easily spot you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys.
You can also hide your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be careful not to place them too tightly as you may accidentally crush them when you shut the door.
4. Call the Police
It is easy to get lost when we are distracted. You may be running a quick errand and you have put your keys in the seat, or you might just need two free hands to carry a load of food items. Whatever the reason, it happens to all.
It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you have lost my car key any item. This way, you can file a report and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This is important in the event that you lose your keys outside of your home, at the store or any other place in public.
Before you start, be sure to retrace your steps. Recreate the scene you saw the last time you looked at your keys in your mind. It’s also an excellent idea to ask other people in the vicinity whether they’ve seen your car keys. This will help to keep your car safe and prevent other people from using it (which may result in extra costs like replacing lost car key ignition and door locks). It is a good idea if you have a spare car key, to duplicate it in case you lose it again.
5. Call a Locksmith
Many people forget where they put their keys, especially when they’re busy or distracted. There are a few things you can do to assist.
Start by retracing the steps you took and searching in the places in which you think they could be. If you’re still unable to find them, try searching inside 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 have your keys. They may be able cut keys or replace your locks, if needed. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
Make sure you have proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. You can use your vehicle’s registration or title. It could take several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key dependent on the circumstances.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
You may lose your car keys at times and it could make your day miserable. It could be because you were running an run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you set your keys down to grab something but lost track of it.
It is crucial to report lost keys immediately to the police. This will be recorded on paper and help prevent other people from using your car without your permission. This will also help you avoid getting fined.
If you’ve reported your keys as lost to the police and your homeowner’s insurance could be able to cover them as they’re personal property. It’s best to contact your agent and confirm that you are covered prior to filing claims.
Consider purchasing an Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid the headache of replacing your car keys and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys in reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Sometimes you can lose your keys when you least think about it. You might be running a quick errand, and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your car after a long workday and not remember where you placed them.
There are ways to avoid this from happening again. One of the best ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices are connected to your wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it to assist you in finding your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions, so that other users can help you find them if they are not in range.
You can also make sure you don’t lose your keys by placing them in the same spot every time you arrive home. It doesn’t matter if it’s on your entry table or on a hook near the door, keeping the habit will make it easier to find them in the future.
8. Find a replacement key
If you’ve lost your vehicle keys or they’ve been stolen, the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance provider immediately. You can be certain that your claim will be taken care of if something happens to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a standard (non-chip) key you can purchase a new one at any locksmith or hardware store. This is the fastest and least expensive solution.
It could be more difficult for cars equipped with smart keys and require an electronic fob. You will need to visit your local dealership to get a replacement key. Depending on the model and make of your car it could cost upwards of $200.
To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys in a different location than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a good idea, especially in the areas where you can’t find things.