Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there's a time when you lose your car keys. When this happens it's crucial to know what to do.
Depending on the vehicle you have, the first call you must make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. These experts can design keys for replacement for your vehicle.
1. Retract your steps
There are few things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone regardless of how organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality things tend to take a more dire turn. It is crucial to keep your cool and return to your path if you lose your keys.
Remember that many things aren't lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Before taking drastic measures, it is a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. To do this it's a good idea to carry a flashlight to help you find dark areas and drawers. You could also invite a family or friend member to help you search, as another set of eyes is often helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you've not found your car keys after returning to your location and looking in the usual places, such as key hooks, search for them in bags, pockets and jackets you've worn or used recently. If you lost them in a store, ask employees or customers to see if they have noticed something unusual.
It may appear obvious to check your bags and pockets for keys to your car that are missing, but it's important to do so thoroughly. Empty all of the pockets you have on you such as purses and jackets and be sure to feel around every zippered area. You should also look in the trash and recycling bins to determine if your keys have disappeared from your bag.
You can also retrace your steps and search places where you know it isn't, like the fridge or freezer. Many times, items are lost when we go to them, but knock them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a tough day and are eager to go home, change into your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. Unfortunately, you realize your car keys have disappeared.
Check pockets and desks that are too cluttered. You could also leave your keys in a crowded area, such as the door handle or in the refrigerator.
Under the car is another common place to hide. If you choose to do this, make sure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, thieves might be able see you hiding your keys beneath your car.
You could also consider hiding your keys in a corner in the dashboard or under the seat. Just be car key lost replacement that you don't secure them too tight as you might accidentally crush them when you close the car door.
4. Contact the police
Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we're a little distracted. You could be running a quick errand and you have put your keys in the seat, or you might require two hands to pick up a bag of food items. It happens to everyone.
It is essential to notify the police immediately if you have lost any item. This way, you can make a report and help keep your car safe from thieves. This is crucial if you lose your keys outside your home, at the shop, or anywhere else in public.
Be sure to retrace all of your steps before you begin. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the last time you seen them. It is also recommended to inquire of other people in the area if they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car safe and prevent others from using it (which may result in extra costs such as new ignition and door locks). It is a good idea, in the event that you have an extra car key to make a duplicate in the event that you lose it again.
5. Contact a locksmith
Many people forget where they placed their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are a few basic things you can try to assist.
Retrace the steps you took and searching for the areas you believe they may have been left. If you're still unable to locate them, try searching inside the car. Many people lose their keys that hang on the keychain or inside the visor and it's worth a quick look in there.
Contact a locksmith to inquire whether they have your keys. They may be able make you a new key or even change the locks on your home if needed. They also have the tools and expertise 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 car's registration or title. Based on the circumstances you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership, which can take several days.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
You might lose your car keys from time to time and it can make your day miserable. It could be that you were running an run and forgot to put them on the seat or perhaps you put your key down for a moment to grab something but lost track of it.
Notifying a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is crucial. This will leave a trail on paper and will help to stop people from using your vehicle without permission. This also helps you avoid being punished.
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 is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you are covered prior to filing claims.
Keep an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the many other options available. This will save you the headache of replacing your car keys and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Sometimes, you'll lose your keys at the time you least would. You could be on an urgent errand, only to you forget to put them on the seat. Or, you might be leaving your car after a long workday and forget where you placed keys.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the future. The best method for doing this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be connected to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will ring or flash once you open it to aid you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow others to assist you in finding them if your keys aren't in range.
Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always keep them in the same place every time you get home. Whether it's on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, making the habit will make it easier to find them in the future.
8. Get a New Key
Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing is to inform your insurance company right away. You can be assured that your claim will get handled properly if anything happens to the car in the future.
If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key, you can easily get a new one from any hardware or locksmith. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.
For more modern cars with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it could be a little more difficult. You'll have to visit your local dealer to obtain a replacement key. This can cost you up to $200 based on the make and model of your vehicle.
To avoid this, you should keep a spare set of keys somewhere else than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a good idea, especially in areas where you can't find things.