Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Whatever way you are, there will come a time when you lose your car keys. In the event of this happening it's crucial to be prepared.

Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you should make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. These professionals can make a replacement key to fit your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There aren't many things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause a lot of anxiety and even lead to unsavory calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are a meticulously organized person or not the loss of your keys can occur to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality, things often take a much more dire turn. If you lose your keys, it is essential to remain calm and follow the steps.

Keep in mind that many things are not lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. So, before taking extreme measures it's best to retrace your steps and search thoroughly. To accomplish this it's recommended to carry a flashlight to aid you in searching dark areas and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to join you in your search for a second pair of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you can't find your keys after retracing your steps and examining places you've used like key hooks examine the pockets, bags and jackets you've recently were wearing or used. If you've lost the keys To my car your keys in a shop check with other shoppers or employees if they've noticed something out of the ordinary.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for keys missing may seem obvious, but you should take the time to do it with care. Empty all of the pockets that you carry around, including those in purses and jackets, and make sure to check every zippered space. It's also an excellent idea to go through the recycling and trash bins in the event that keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something else.

It may be helpful to go back again and search places where you know they're not like the freezer or refrigerator. A lot of times, things go missing 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 get back home, change into your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and watch your favorite TV show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing.

Check pockets and desks that are overly cluttered. You can also put your keys in a busy space, like the door handle or refrigerator.

Under the car is another favorite place to hide. However, if you do this make sure you are able to open the gas cap from outside your car as thieves can easily spot you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you close the door.

4. Call the police

We are prone to get lost when we are distracted. You may be on the run for a few minutes and put your keys in the seat, or you might need two free hands to pick up a bag of food items. Whatever the reason, it occurs to everyone.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you have lost any item. You can then file a police report to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is important if you lose your keys outside of your home, at the shop or in public.

Before you begin, be sure to follow your steps. Recreate the scene that you experienced the last time you saw your keys in your mind. Asking people around you if they've seen your keys is also a great idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from stealing it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new ignition locks and door locks). If you have a spare key it is always a good idea to make an exact copy of it in the event that this occurs again.

5. Contact a locksmith

Many people forget where they put their keys, especially when they're busy or distracted. There are, however, a few things you can do to help.

Start by retracing your steps and searching the places you think you may have abandoned them. If you are still unable to locate them, check the car. Many people lose their keys that hang from their keychains or the visor It's a good idea to take having a quick look.

Finally, contact locksmiths to find out if they can assist you in finding the keys you lost. They may be able cut you a new key or even change your locks if required. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do call locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of ownership for your vehicle. You can use your car's registration or title. You may 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 times that you'll lose your car keys and it can put a major impact on your day. It might be that you were running a quick errand and accidentally left them on the seat or maybe you put your key down to grab something but lost the track of it.

Notifying a stolen or i lost my keys key to the police as soon as you can is important. This will be recorded on paper and will stop other people from using your car without your permission. It also prevents you from getting penalized.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might cover them since they're considered personal property. It's best to contact your agent to confirm that you're covered prior to making an insurance claim.

Keep an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the numerous other options available. This will prevent you from having to deal with the hassle of a car keys replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Keys can be lost at any time. You could be on an urgent errand, only to do not remember to put them on the seat. Or, you might be leaving your car after a long workday and not remember where you placed them.

There are fortunately ways to stop this from happening in the near future. The best method for doing this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices are connected to your wallet or keyring and can be connected to an app on your phone. The app will blink or ring once you open it to assist you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers have community features that allow others to assist you in finding them if your keys aren't in reach.

You can also make sure you don't lose your keys by placing them in the same spot every time you come home. It doesn't matter if it's in the bowl on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, keeping a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

It is crucial to inform your insurance company immediately when you lose your car keys, or if they are stolen. That way, you can rest assured that your claim will be dealt with properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard (non-chip) key you can purchase a new one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.

For more modern cars with a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it may be a bit more challenging. It is likely that you will need go to your local dealership and show proof of ownership to get an entirely new key. Depending on the make and model of your car this could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.

To prevent this from happening, keep a spare set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to declutter your house or lost the keys To My Car office especially in areas that you tend to drop things.