Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how organized you are, there's a time when you lose your car keys. It's important to be prepared for this situation.
It is recommended to contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on the vehicle. These professionals can create a replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract your steps
There are few things that are more painful than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause lots of stress and even lead to unpleasant phone calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that can happen to anyone, regardless of how organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality, things tend to take a darker turn. It is crucial to stay calm and return to your path if you lose your keys.
It's important to remember that most things aren't lost forever, and they are often found in some very odd places. So, before resorting to extreme measures, it's a good idea to revisit your steps and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight with you to search dark corners and drawers. You could also invite a family or friend member to search with you for a second pair of eyes can be helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you haven't found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking at common locations like key hooks, search for them inside of bags, pockets and jackets that you've worn or used recently. If you've lost your keys at a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they noticed something different.
It may seem obvious to check your bags and pockets for your missing car keys However, it's essential to do it in a thorough manner. Clean out all pockets you carry, including purses and jackets, and make sure to feel around every zippered area. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to determine if your keys have been snatched from your bag.
It could be beneficial to go back again and search places where you are sure they aren't, such as the refrigerator or freezer. Many things are lost when we reach for something, but we forget about it. then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You've put in the hours and are ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, order pizza and on your favorite TV show. But, you discover that your car keys are missing.
While you're going through your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered like tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. You could also leave your keys in a crowded space, like the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.
Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. If you choose to hide your keys under the car be sure you can easily open the gas cap on your car from outside. If not, a burglar may be able to see you hiding your keys under your car.
You can also hide your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be careful not to put them too tightly as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the door.
4. Call the Police
We can lose things when we are distracted. You might be running an easy errand and you have left your keys on the car seat. Perhaps you require two hands to carry the food items. It happens to all of us.
It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you lose anything. This way, you will be able to make a report and help keep your car safe from thieves. This is particularly crucial if your keys get lost outside of your home at the grocery store, or in a public place.
Make sure you retrace all of your steps before you begin. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the last time you saw them. It is also a good idea to ask other people in the area whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car safe and also stop others from using it (which may result in extra expenses like new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key it is always a good idea to make a copy of it in case something similar happens to you again.
5. Contact an expert locksmith
Many people forget where they placed their keys, especially when they're stressed or distracted. There are a few basic things you can try to help.
Retrace lost my car keys and searching the places you think you may have abandoned them. If you're still unable to find them, try searching inside the car. Many people have keys that are hanging from their keychains or the visor, so it's worth a quick look in there.
Finally, contact locksmiths to see if they are able to assist you in finding your keys that have disappeared. They may be able cut keys for you or alter your locks, if needed. lost key to car have the equipment and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
If you do contact a locksmith, make sure to show proof of the ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on the situation you may have to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which can take several days.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
There are instances that you'll lose your car keys, and it can put a huge impact on your day. It could be because you were running a quick run and forgot to put keys on the floor or perhaps you put your key down for a second to grab something but lost track of it.
It's important to report lost keys as soon as you can to the police. This will create a paper record and help prevent other people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also stops you from being fined.
Your homeowner's insurance 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 to confirm that you are covered prior to making a claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags, Tiles or the numerous other options available. 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 within reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Sometimes, you'll lose your keys when you least think about it. You could be on an urgent errand, only to do not remember to put them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long workday and not remember where you placed them.
There are ways to stop this from happening again. The best way to do this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be connected to a keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it to help you locate your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions, so that other people can help you locate them if they are lost.
Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always put them in the same place each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if place them in an table or hang them on an iron by the door. Making this an habit will help you locate your keys in the future.
8. Find a replacement key
It is crucial to inform your insurance company right away when you lose your car keys 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 have a standard key (which doesn't have chip) you can simply get an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.
It could be more difficult for vehicles with a smart key and require an electronic fob. You'll have to visit your local dealership to obtain a replacement key. This could cost you up to $200 based on the make and model of your vehicle.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key in your possession and keep it somewhere else than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, especially in areas where you're likely to lose things.