Lost My Car Keys? Here’s what to do if lost car keys to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there will come a time when you lose your car keys. It’s important to be prepared for this eventuality.
Depending on the vehicle you have, the first call you should make is to a locksmith or a dealership. 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 entire day, create anxiety and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn’t matter if you are a meticulously organized person or not, losing your keys can happen to anyone.
The best-case scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). In reality, the situation can often be much more serious. It is crucial to keep your cool and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.
Keep in mind that many things aren’t Lost My Car Key forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. So, before taking extreme measures it’s best to retrace your steps and search thoroughly. Bring a flashlight to search dark corners and drawers. You can also ask someone to assist you in your search for items, as a second pair of eyes can be very 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 recently worn or used. If you’ve lost them in a store, ask other customers or workers to see if they noticed anything unusual.
Examining your bags and pockets for keys missing may seem obvious but it is important to take the time to do it with care. Clean your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Examine every zippered area. Also, check the recycling and trash bins to see if any of your keys have disappeared from your bag.
It may be helpful to retrace your steps once again and search places where you know they aren’t, such as the freezer or refrigerator. Many items get lost when we search for something, but knock it off 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 comfy sweats, order pizza and binge watch your favorite show. Unfortunately, you realize your car keys are missing.
While you’re going through your steps take a look at areas that are overly cluttered such as tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothing items. It’s also not uncommon to leave keys in a congested area like in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so be sure you’ve checked these areas.
Another popular hiding place is under the car. If you decide to hide your keys under the car ensure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, a thief could be able to spot the keys you have hidden under your car.
You could also consider hiding your keys in a nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly as you may accidentally crush them when you close the door.
4. Call the police
Sometimes, we lose things because we are just a bit distracted. You may be doing an easy errand and you’ve forgotten your keys on the seat. Or perhaps you need two hands to pick up an empty bag of food items. Whatever the reason it occurs to all.
If you have lost something, it is important to call the police right immediately. This way, you will be able to submit a claim and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially important if your keys are lost outside of your house at the grocery store, or somewhere else public.
Before you start make sure you retrace your steps. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the last time you saw them. It is also an excellent idea to ask other people in the area whether they have seen your car keys. This will keep your car secure and prevent others from stealing it. (This could lead to additional expenses such as new ignition locks and door locks). It is a good idea if you have an extra car key to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.
5. Contact an expert locksmith
People often forget where they put their keys, especially if they’re stressed or distracted. Luckily, there are several things you can do to aid.
Begin by retracing your steps, and then searching for places you think you may have left them. If you’re still not able to locate them, make sure you check your car. Many people have keys that are hanging from the keychain or in the visor, so it’s worth having a quick look.
Finally, contact an locksmith to see if they can help you find your keys that have disappeared. They might be able to cut keys or lost my car Key replace the locks if required. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
If you do call a locksmith, make sure to provide proof of ownership for your vehicle. This includes your vehicle’s registration or title. You may have to wait for several days for a dealership to send you a new key, dependent on the circumstances.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
There are occasions when you’re unable to locate your car keys and it can put a major downer on your day. You could have been on an errand that was quick and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you could have put them down to grab something for a moment and lost track.
Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as quickly as you can is important. This will create a paper trail and can to stop other people from using your vehicle without your permission. This will also allow you to avoid being punished.
The homeowner’s insurance policy could cover your keys if you’ve reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. But, it’s advisable to check with your agent to make sure you’re covered before you file a claim.
Consider purchasing the purchase of a 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 at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Sometimes, you’ll lose your keys when you least think about it. You might be running a quick errand, and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long workday and not remember where you placed the keys.
Fortunately, there are ways to stop this from happening in the future. One of the best ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your smartphone. Once you open the app it will ring or flash to help you locate your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions, so that other users can help you locate them if you are not in range.
Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always keep them in the same place every time you get home. It doesn’t matter if place them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on a hook near the door. Making this an habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.
8. Get a Replacement Key
If you’ve lost the keys to my car your car keys or they’ve been stolen the most important thing is to inform your insurance company immediately. You can be sure that your claim will get dealt with properly in the event of any damage to the car in the future.
If you have a regular key (which doesn’t have chip) you can get an alternative from any locksmith or hardware store. This is usually the quickest and lost My car key least expensive option.
For modern vehicles with a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a bit more difficult. You’ll have go to your local dealer to purchase a new key. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle this could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key and keep it somewhere else than your keys. It’s also a good idea to declutter your office or home particularly in the areas that you tend to drop things.