lost key in car My Car Keys? Here’s What to Do

No matter how organized you are, there will come an occasion when you’ll lose your car keys. If this happens, it’s important to know what to do.

You should call an auto locksmith or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. They can design a replacement key to fit your vehicle.

1. Retract your Steps

There aren’t many things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety, and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn’t matter if are an organized person or not the loss of your keys can occur to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). But, in reality things can take a darker direction. It is important to stay calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

Keep in mind that many things are not lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it is a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. To accomplish this it’s recommended to bring a flashlight to help you search in dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend to assist you for items, lost electric key as a second pair of eyes can be very helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you can’t find your keys after retracing steps and examining places you’ve used like key hooks examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently wore or used. If you’ve lost your keys at a store check with other shoppers or employees if they noticed something out of the ordinary.

It might seem obvious to look in your pockets and bags for keys to your car that are missing, but it’s important to do so thoroughly. Empty your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Examine every zippered area. Also, check the recycling and trash bins to determine if your keys have been snatched from your bag.

You can also retrace your steps and look in places where the item is not, such as the freezer or fridge. Many items get lost when we look for something but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You’ve been working hard all day and are now ready to head home put on your comfy sweats, have pizza and binge watch your favorite show. You discover that your car keys are missing.

Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are too filled with. It’s also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a crowded spot, such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so make sure you’ve checked these places.

Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. If you choose to hide your keys under the car, make sure that you can easily open the gas cap on your car from the outside. If not, a burglar may be able to see you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You could also consider hiding your keys in a small nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly as they could be crushed 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 you have put your keys on the seat or you might need two free hands to carry a load of groceries. It happens to everyone.

It is important to contact the police immediately if you have lost any item. This way, you will be able to make a report and help to keep your car safe from thieves. This is important if you have lost Electric key your keys outside your home, in the shop or in public.

Before you do this ensure that you go back to your steps. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the time you last saw them. It’s also an excellent idea to ask other people in the area whether they’ve seen your car keys. This will help keep your vehicle safe and stop other people from using it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea, should you have a spare car key, to make a duplicate in the event that you lose it again.

5. Call a Locksmith

Many people forget where they placed their keys, especially if they’re distracted or in a rush. Luckily, there are several ways you can aid.

Retrace your steps, and then searching for places you think you may have left them. If you’re still struggling to locate them, consider looking inside the car. Many people lose their keys that hang from the keychain or in the visor, so it’s worth a quick look in there.

Contact a locksmith and inquire if they can find your keys. They may be able make you a new key or even alter your locks if required. They also have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do contact a locksmith, be prepared to provide proof of ownership of 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, depending on your situation.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are occasions that you’ll lose your car keys and it can put a huge damper on your day. It could be that you were running an errand and accidentally left keys on the floor or maybe you put your keys down for a second to grab something, but lost track of it.

It’s important to report a lost key as soon as you can to the police. This will leave a trail on paper and can keep other people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also help you avoid getting punished.

Your homeowner’s insurance may cover your keys if you’ve reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. However, it’s still best to talk to your agent to confirm that you’re covered before filing an claim.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the numerous other options available. This will help you avoid having to go through the hassle of a car keys replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

You can lose your keys at any moment. You might be running a quick errand and forget to put them down on the seat, or you might be getting out of your car after a long day at work, and don’t remember where you put them.

Luckily, there are ways to stop this from happening in the near future. One of the best ways is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be affixed to a wallet or keyring and can connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will blink or ring when you open it to assist you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers have community features that allow others to assist you in finding the keys if they aren’t in range.

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to place them in the same place each time you return home. It doesn’t matter if it’s in the bowl on your entry table or on a hook near the door, keeping a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.

8. Get a New Key

It’s important to notify your insurance company immediately if you lose your keys to your car or if they’re stolen. That way you’ll be able to rest sure that your claim will be handled correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you already have an ordinary (non-chip) key you can purchase a new one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the fastest and least expensive solution.

It could be more difficult for vehicles that have 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 updated key. Based on the model and make of your car, this could cost upwards of $200.

To avoid this, you should keep a spare set of keys in a different location than your keys. It’s also an excellent idea to clean your office or home particularly in the areas where you are likely to lose things.