Gerardo Hendon asked 2 days ago
Lost My Car Keys? Here’s What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there’s the time that you’ll have to lose your car keys. It’s important to be prepared for this scenario.
You should call an auto locksmith or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. They can design keys for replacement for your vehicle.
1. Retract your Steps
There aren’t many things more painful than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, create a lot of anxiety and even trigger unwanted phone calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that happens to everyone regardless of how well organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they show up exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). However, the situation can often be more grave. It is essential to keep your cool and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.
Be aware that a lot of things are not lost forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. So, before taking extreme measures, it’s a good idea to revisit your steps and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight with you to look through dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend or family member to join you in your search for a second pair of eyes can be helpful.
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 recently worn or used. If you’ve lost them in a store, ask other customers or workers to see if they have noticed anything unusual.
Examining your bags and pockets for missing keys may appear obvious however, you must take the time to do it with care. Clean out all pockets you carry such as those in jackets and purses and be sure to look around every zippered area. It’s also a good idea to comb through the recycling and trash bin in the event that keys got lost in your bag and got crushed by something else.
It might be beneficial to go through your steps again and search places where you know they’re not like the refrigerator or freezer. Many times, items disappear when we try to find them but then take them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You’ve had a long day and you’re eager to go home, put on your cozy sweats, eat some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing.
Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are too cluttered. You can also put your keys in a busy area, such as the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.
Under the car is another common place to hide. If you decide to hide your keys under the car be sure you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, thieves could be able to spot you hiding your keys under your car.
You can also store your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be careful not to place them too tightly because they could be crushed when you shut the door.
4. Call the Police
It is easy to lose things when we’re distracted. You might be running an errand and you have put your keys in the seat, or you may require two hands to carry a load of food items. Whatever the reason, it occurs to all.
It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you have lost anything. This way, you will be able to submit a claim and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially crucial if your keys get lost outside of your home at the grocery store, or in a public place.
Before you start make sure you follow your steps. Recreate the scene you saw the time you last saw your keys in your head. It is also a good idea to ask others in the vicinity whether they’ve seen your car keys. This will help ensure your car’s security and prevent others from stealing it (which could lead to additional costs like replacing lost keys ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key, it is always an excellent idea to make a copy of it in case this happens to you again.
5. Contact for a locksmith
It’s normal for people to forget where they put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a hurry. Luckily, there are several actions you can take to assist.
Start by retracing your steps, and then searching for places you think you may have left them. If you’re unable to locate them, consider searching inside the car. It’s not uncommon for people to leave their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Contact a locksmith to inquire if they can find your keys. They may be able cut you a brand new key or even change 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, make sure to provide proof of ownership for your vehicle. You can do this by using your vehicle’s registration or title. Based on the circumstances you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which can take a number of days.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
There are instances that you’ll lose your car keys and it can put a massive downer on your day. You could have been on a quick errand when you misplaced your keys on the seat, or you might have sat down to take a look at something and then lost my keys track.
Reporting a stolen or lost keys my car key; read article, key to the police as soon as you can is crucial. This will leave a trail on paper and will help prevent other people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also stops you from 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 ensure you’re covered before you file an claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or any of the other options available. This will prevent you from having to go through the hassle of a car keys replacement and give you peace of mind knowing your keys are always in reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Sometimes you can lose your keys at the time you least would. You could be out on an errand and you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long working day and forget the place you put them.
Fortunately, there are ways to stop this from happening again in the future. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your wallet or keyring and can be connected to an app on your phone. Once you open the app it will sound or flash to help you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers have community features that allow other users to assist you in locating the keys if they are not in reach.
You can also avoid losing your keys by putting them in the same place every time you come home. It doesn’t matter if put them in a bowl on the entry table or a hook near the door. Making this a habit will help you locate your keys in the future.
8. Get a Replacement Key
If you’ve lost your vehicle keys or they’ve been stolen the most important thing is to inform your insurance company right away. So you’ll be able to rest sure that your claim will be dealt with in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key it is easy to purchase an additional one from any hardware or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and cheapest alternative.
For modern vehicles with a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a bit more difficult. You’ll likely need go to the local dealership and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. Based on the make and model of your car this could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key to keep it somewhere other than your keys. It’s also a good idea to declutter your house or office, especially the place where you tend to lose things.