Latanya Spinelli asked 3 months ago
Lost My Car Keys? Here’s What 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 situation.
It is recommended to contact an auto locksmith or a dealership, based on the vehicle. These professionals can make an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.
1. Retract your Steps
There aren’t many things that are more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause a lot of anxiety and can even result in unwanted phone calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that could happen to anyone, regardless of how organized you are.
The best-case scenario would be that they show up exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). But, in reality, things can take a darker direction. When you lose your keys, it is crucial to be calm and not panic. You can then retrace the steps.
Remember that many things aren’t lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures, it’s a good idea to retrace your steps and search thoroughly. To do this it’s recommended to carry a flashlight with you to help you search in dark corners and drawers. You could also invite replacing a lost car key family or friend member to join you in your search to help you, as a second set of eyes can be helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you’re still not finding your car keys after going back to your steps and looking in the usual places, such as key hooks, search for them inside of bags, pockets and jackets you’ve worn or used recently. If you lost your keys in a store, ask other shoppers or employees if they’ve noticed something unusual.
The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem obvious however, you must take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, including the ones on purses and key car lost jackets. Feel around the zippered areas. You should also look in the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have been snatched from your bag.
It might be beneficial to retrace your steps once time and look around for areas where you know they’re not like the freezer or refrigerator. Sometimes, items go missing when we go to them, but knock them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You’ve had a tiring day and you’re eager to get home, put on your comfy sweats, eat some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite TV show. Unfortunately, you realize your car keys have disappeared.
Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are overly packed. It’s also common to leave keys in a messy spot like on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure to thoroughly check those areas.
Under the car is another popular hiding spot. If you decide to hide your keys there ensure 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 under your car.
You could also consider hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Make sure you don’t place them too tight as you might accidentally smash them when you shut the car door.
4. Call the Police
Sometimes, we lose things because we’re a little bit distracted. You could be running an errand that is quick, and you’ve forgotten your keys on the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to carry a bag of food items. Whatever the reason it happens to every person.
It is important to contact the police immediately if you have lost any item. You can then submit a police report in order to protect your car from theft. This is essential if you have lost your keys outside your home, at the shop, or anywhere else in public.
Be sure to retrace every step before you begin. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the last time you saw them. Asking people around you if they’ve seen your keys is also a great idea. This will help to keep your car safe and prevent others from stealing it (which could lead to additional costs such as new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea, if you have a spare car key, to duplicate it in the event that you lose it again.
5. Contact an expert locksmith
Many people forget where they placed their keys, especially when they’re busy or distracted. There are a few actions you can take to aid.
Start by retracing the steps you’ve taken and searching for the areas where you think they might have been left. If you’re still not able to locate them, look in the car. It’s not common for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they can locate your keys. They may be able cut you a new key or even change your locks if necessary. They have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. You can use your vehicle’s registration or title. Depending on your situation, you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which could take a few days.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
You may lose your keys to your car at times and it could ruin your day. It could be that you were running an task and left them on the seat or perhaps you put your keys down to grab something, but lost track of it.
It is crucial to report lost keys as soon as you can to the police. This will create a paper record and prevent others from using your car without permission. This can also ensure that you don’t get penalized.
Your homeowner’s policy may cover your keys if you’ve 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 a claim.
Think about purchasing an Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid going through the hassle of a car Key Car Lost replacement and give you peace of mind knowing your keys are always at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
You can lose your keys at any time. You could be running a quick errand and do not remember to put them on the seat, or you might be getting out of your car after a long day at work and you can’t remember where you put them.
Fortunately, there are ways to stop this from happening in the future. One of the best is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will ring or flash when you open it to assist you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers have community features that allow others to assist you in locating them if your keys aren’t in range.
Another way to prevent losing your keys is to keep them in the same place each time you return home. It doesn’t matter if you put them in a bowl on the entry table or a hook by the door. Making this routine a habit will make it easier to find your keys in the future.
8. Get a Replacement 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 sure that your claim will be handled properly if anything happens to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a standard (non-chip) key, you can easily get an additional one from any hardware or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and most affordable alternative.
It could be more difficult for vehicles equipped with smart keys and require an electronic fob. You will need to visit your local dealer to purchase a new key. Depending on the make and model of your car 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. Decluttering your home or office is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you’re likely to lose things.