Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how organized you are, there comes a time when you lose your car keys. It's important to be prepared for this eventuality.
You should contact an auto locksmith or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. These professionals can make a replacement key to fit your vehicle.
1. Retract your steps
There are few things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety and even cause you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not the loss of your keys can happen to anyone.
The ideal scenario is for them to turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). In reality, the situation can often be more serious. It is crucial to stay calm and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.
Remember that many things don't go unnoticed forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. Before lost vehicle key resort to drastic measures, it's recommended to retrace and search your steps. In order to do this it's a good idea to bring a flashlight to help you search in dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a family member or friend member to join you in your search, as another set of eyes can be beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you can't find your keys after retracing your steps and examining common areas like key hooks examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently were wearing or used. If you've lost your keys in a store, ask other shoppers or employees if they noticed something different.
It may seem obvious to look in your own pockets and bags for the missing car keys However, it's essential to do it in a thorough manner. Take out all pockets that you carry around including purses and jackets and check every zippered space. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have disappeared from your bag.
You could also retrace your footsteps and search in places where the item is not, such as the fridge or freezer. Many items are lost when we look for something but then we take it away and then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You've worked hard all day and are now ready to head home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza and binge on your favorite TV show. Unfortunately, you realize the keys to your car have disappeared.
While you're going through your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered such as tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. You can also put your keys in a crowded area, such as the door handle or in the refrigerator.
Under the car is another popular hiding spot. If you decide to hide your keys under the car be sure you can open the gas cap on your car from the outside. If not, a burglar could be able to spot you hiding your keys beneath your car.
You might also try hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to place them too tightly as you may accidentally crush them when you close the door.
4. Call the Police
It is easy to lose things when we are distracted. You may be on the run for a few minutes and have your keys in the seat, or you may require two hands free to pick up a bag of groceries. Whatever the reason, it occurs to everyone.
It is important to contact the police immediately if you have lost any item. This way, you can file a report and help keep your car safe from thieves. This is particularly crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your home, at the store, or somewhere else public.
Before you begin ensure that you go back to your steps. Recreate the scene from the time you last glimpsed your keys in your head. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is another great idea. This will help keep your car safe and stop other people from using it (which could lead to additional costs like replacing door locks and ignition). It is a good idea, should you have a spare car key to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.
5. Call an expert locksmith
It's normal for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they are distracted or in a hurry. There are a few basic ways to aid.
Begin by retracing the steps you've already taken and searching for the areas where you think they might be. If you're unable to find them, try looking inside the car. Many people lose their keys hanging from the keychain or in the visor, so it's worth having a quick look.
Contact a locksmith and inquire if they can find your keys. They may be able cut keys for you or alter your locks, if necessary. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
When you do call locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of ownership of your vehicle. You can use your car's registration or title. Depending on the situation you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership, which can take several days.
6. Contact lost vehicle key
There are times when you lose your car keys, and it can put a massive downer on your day. You might have been running an errand that was quick and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you could have sat down to take a look at something and then lost track.
Notifying a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is important. This will create a paper trail and will help prevent people from using your vehicle without your permission. This will also help you avoid getting penalized.
Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to contact your agent and confirm that you are insured prior to filing an insurance claim.
Consider purchasing an Bluetooth tracking device, such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid going through the hassle of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes you can lose your keys when you least expect it. You could be on a quick errand, and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or, you might be leaving your car after a long working day and forget where you put them.
There are fortunately ways to prevent this from happening in the future. One of the best is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your wallet or keyring, and can connect with an app on your phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it, to aid you in finding your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions, so that others can assist you to locate them if they are out of range.
You can also avoid losing your keys by placing them in the same place every time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if it's on your entry table or on a hook near the door, making an habit of this will make finding them easier 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 notify your insurance company immediately. You can be certain that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the vehicle in the future.
If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key it is easy to purchase a new one at any hardware or locksmith. This is the quickest and least expensive solution.
It may be more difficult for vehicles with smart keys and require an electronic fob. You will likely have to go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership to get an entirely new key. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle it could cost you upwards of $200.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key to keep it somewhere else than your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a good idea, especially in the areas where you're likely to lose things.