Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
You will lose your keys at some point, no matter how organized you are. When this happens, it's important to be prepared.
Depending on your vehicle, the first call you need to make is an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design an alternative key for your vehicle.
1. Retract your steps
There are few things more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can make your day miserable, cause a lot of anxiety and can even result in unwanted calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not losing your keys could happen to anyone.
The best-case scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). However the situation could be much more serious. It is crucial to stay calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.
Be aware that a lot of things don't go unnoticed forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Before resorting to extreme measures it is a good idea for you to go back and trace your steps. Bring a flashlight with you to search for dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a family member or friend member to search with you for a second pair of eyes is often helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you haven't found your car keys after going back to your steps and looking at common locations like key hooks, look for them inside of pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you've lost car key replacement near me them in a store, ask others who are customers or employees to see if they noticed something unusual.
It might appear obvious to check your pockets and bags for keys to your car that are missing, but it's important to do so thoroughly. Clean your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Examine the zippered areas. You should also look in the trash and recycling bins to see if any of your keys have fallen out of your bag.
You can also retrace your steps and search places where the item is not, such as the freezer or fridge. Many times, items disappear when we reach for them but knock them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've worked hard all day and are now ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza and watch your favorite show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing.
Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are too cluttered. You could also leave your keys in a busy area, such as in the door handle or refrigerator.
Under the car is another favorite place to hide. However, if you do this, make sure you open the gas cap from outside your vehicle as thieves can easily spot you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys there.
You can also hide your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be cautious not to place them too tightly as they could be crushed when you shut the door.
4. Call the Police
We can lose things when we are distracted. You may be doing an easy errand and you have left your keys on the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to carry an empty bag of food items. Whatever the reason, it occurs to everyone.
It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you have lost any item. This way, you can make a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside your home, at the store, or in a public place.
Make sure to go through every step before you begin. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the time you last seen them. It's also recommended to inquire of others in the vicinity if they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from stealing it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new locks for doors and ignition). If you have a spare key it's always recommended to create a copy of it in case this happens to you again.
5. Contact a locksmith
It's normal for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, particularly when they're distracted or in a rush. There are a few easy ways to help.
Start by retracing your steps and searching the places you think you may have left them. If you're still not able to locate them, check the car. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Last but not least, contact an locksmith to see if they are able to help you find the keys you lost. 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.
If you do call a locksmith, be prepared to show proof of ownership for your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. You might have to wait several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key according to your particular situation.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
There are instances when you lose your car keys, and it can put a massive impact on your day. You may have been running an errand that was quick and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you might have put them down to grab something for a moment and then lost track.
Reporting a lost car keys with no spare or stolen key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will create a paper trail and will help to stop people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also ensure that you don't get fined.
The homeowner's insurance policy could cover your keys if reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to call your agent to confirm that you're covered before making claims.
Keep an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the numerous other options available. This will help you avoid going through the hassle of a car key replacement and give you peace of mind knowing your keys are always at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
It is possible to lose your keys at any moment. You could be on an urgent errand, only to forget to place them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your vehicle after a long day at work and not remember where you put the keys.
There are ways to stop this happening again. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and can connect to an app on your smartphone. When you launch the app, it will ring or flash to help you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers have community features that allow other users to assist you in finding them in case your keys are not in reach.
Another way to prevent losing your keys is to put them in the same place each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if it's on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, keeping an habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.
8. Get a New Key
If you've lost car keys replacement cost uk your vehicle keys or they've been stolen the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company immediately. This way you'll be able to rest at ease knowing that your claim will be handled correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can get an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and most affordable option.
For modern vehicles with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it might be a bit more difficult. You will likely have visit the local dealership and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. Based on the make and model of your vehicle it could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.
To prevent this from happening, keep a spare set of keys in a different place than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your office or home especially in areas that you tend to drop things.