Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there's a time when you lose your car keys. It's important to be prepared for this scenario.
Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you should make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design an alternative key for your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There aren't many things that are more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause an anxiety-filled day and can even result in unsavory phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.
The best case scenario is for them to turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the norm). But, in lost car key no spare can take a more dire turn. When you lose your keys, it's important to remain calm and retrace the steps.
Remember that many things don't go unnoticed forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. So, before resorting to extreme measures it's best to revisit your steps and conduct a thorough search. To do this it's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you to aid you in searching dark areas and drawers. You can also ask a friend to help you search, because a second pair of eyes can be very beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you're still not finding your car keys after returning to your location and looking at common locations like key hooks, search for them in bags, pockets and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you lost them in the store, ask other customers or workers to see if they noticed something unusual.
Examining your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem obvious but it is important to take the time to do it with care. Clean your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Feel around the zippered areas. You should also look in the recycling and trash bins to see if your keys have been snatched from your bag.
It could be beneficial to go through your steps again and look for places you know they're not, such as the refrigerator or freezer. Many times, items go missing when we try to find them but then take them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've put in the hours and are now ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, have pizza and binge watch your favorite show. Unfortunately, you realize your car keys have disappeared.
While you're walking around, check overly cluttered spaces like tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. You could also leave your keys in a busy area, such as in the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.
Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to do this ensure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, a thief might be able see you hiding your keys under your car.
You can also hide your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to place them too tightly as they could be crushed when you shut the door.
4. Call the police
Sometimes, we lose things because we're a little distracted. You might be running a quick errand, and you have left your keys on the seat. Perhaps you require two hands to pick up an empty bag of groceries. Whatever the reason, it happens to all.
If you lose something, it's important to notify the police right away. This way, you can submit a claim and help keep your car safe from thieves. This is important if you have lost your keys outside your home, in the shop, or anywhere else in public.
Be sure to retrace every step before you begin. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the time you last saw them. Asking other people around you if they've seen your keys is a excellent idea. This will keep your car safe and deter others from using it. (This could lead to additional expenses such as new ignition locks and door locks). It is a good idea if you have a spare car key to duplicate it in the event you lose it.
5. Contact a locksmith
It's normal for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they're distracted or in a rush. There are a few easy tips you can use to assist.
Begin by retracing your steps and searching the places you think you may have abandoned them. If you're still not able to locate them, check the car. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Last but not least, contact locksmiths to see if they can assist you in finding the keys you lost. They may be able cut you a key or change your locks, if necessary. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
When you do call a locksmith, make sure to show proof of ownership of your vehicle. This includes 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 several days.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
You may lose your keys to your car at times and it can make your day miserable. You could have been on an easy errand and misplaced your keys on the seat, or you may have sat down to grab something for a moment and then lost track.
Notifying a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is important. This will create a paper trail and will help keep others from using your vehicle without your permission. This can also ensure that you don't get fined.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police, your homeowner's insurance may cover them since they're considered personal property. It's best to call your agent and confirm that you are insured prior to filing an insurance claim.
Keep an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or any of the other options available. This will eliminate the headache of replacing your car keys, and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes, you'll lose your keys at the time you least expect it. You might be running an urgent errand, only to you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your car after a long working day and forget where you put the keys.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. The best way to do this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be connected to a wallet or keyring and can connect to an app on your phone. When you launch the app it will sound or flash to help you locate your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions so that others can assist you to find them if they are lost.
Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always place them in the same spot every time you get home. If it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or on a hanger near the door, establishing a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.
8. Get a New Key
It is crucial to inform your insurance company immediately in the event that you lose your keys to your car, or if they are stolen. You can be assured that your claim will be handled properly if anything happens to the vehicle in the future.
If you own a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can get an replacement from any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and cheapest alternative.
For more modern cars with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it might be a bit more difficult. You will need go to your local dealer to obtain a replacement key. Depending on the make and model of your car, this could cost upwards of $200.
To prevent this from happening, keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your office or home particularly in the areas that you tend to drop things.