Lost My Car Keys? Here’s What to Do
You will lose your keys at some point, no matter how organized you are. When this happens it’s crucial to be prepared.
You should contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on your vehicle. They can design an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There are few things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause lots of stress and can even result in unwanted phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that happens to everyone regardless of how organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they appear exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality things often take a much darker direction. It is important to stay calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.
It’s important to keep in mind that most things aren’t lost for ever, and are often found in some very unusual places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures, it’s a good idea to revisit your steps and search thoroughly. To do this it’s recommended to carry a flashlight to aid you in searching dark areas and drawers. You can also ask a friend to help you search for items, because a second pair of eyes can be very helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you are unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and examining common areas like key hooks, look inside pockets, bags and jackets that you recently were wearing or used. If you lost them in the store, ask other customers or workers to determine if they saw anything unusual.
Checking your pockets and bags for keys that are missing might appear obvious, but you should take the time to do it with care. Clean your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Examine the zippered areas. It’s also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycling bin in case keys got lost in your bag and got crushed by something else.
It might be beneficial to go back time and look around for areas where you know they aren’t, such as the freezer or refrigerator. Many items get lost when we search for something, but we forget about it. then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You’ve worked hard all day and are now ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, order pizza and binge watch your favorite show. But, you discover that your car keys have disappeared.
While you’re retracing your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered such as tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothes. You can also put your keys in a crowded area, such as in the door handle or refrigerator.
Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to do this be sure you can easily open the gas cap on your car from the outside. If not, a burglar might be able see you hiding your keys beneath 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, as they could be crushed when you shut the door.
4. Contact the police
Sometimes, we lose things simply because we’re a bit distracted. You could be running a quick errand and you have put your keys in the seat, or you may require two hands free to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to everyone.
It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose anything. You can then make a police report to help protect your car from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are i lost my car keys what do i do outside your home, at the store, or in a public place.
Before you do this ensure that you go back to your steps. Try to be your own 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 vicinity whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car secure and stop others from stealing it (which could lead to additional expenses like new ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key it’s always an excellent idea to make a copy of it in case something similar happens to you again.
5. Contact a locksmith
Many people forget where they placed their keys, especially when they’re distracted or in a rush. There are a few easy tips you can use to aid.
Begin by retracing the steps you took and searching for the areas where you think they might have been left. If you’re still unable to locate them, try checking in the car itself. It’s not uncommon for people to leave their keys under the visor or on the keychain.
Last but not least, contact locksmiths to find out if they can assist you in finding the keys you lost. They may be able cut you a brand new key or even change the locks on your home if needed. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle’s registration or title. Based on the circumstances, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership which can take a number of days.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
There are instances when you lose your car keys, and it can put a massive downer on your day. It might be that you were running a quick task and left them on the seat or perhaps you put your key down for a moment to grab something, but lost the track of it.
It is crucial to report a cheap lost car key replacement key immediately to the police. This will create a paper record and will stop other people from using your car without permission. It also stops you from being punished.
If you’ve reported your keys as replace lost car keys to the police, your homeowner’s insurance may be able to take them in as personal property. However, it’s still best to talk to your agent to ensure you’re covered prior to filing an claim.
You should consider investing in the purchase of a Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will eliminate the hassle of having to replace lost key your car keys, and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys in reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes you’ll lose your keys at the time you least would. You could be out on a quick errand, and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long day at work and not remember the place you put them.
There are ways to prevent this happening again. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it, to aid you in finding your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions so that other people can help you locate them if they are lost.
You can also avoid losing your keys by always putting them in the same place each time you get home. If it’s in the bowl on your entry table or hung on a hook near the door, keeping a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.
8. Get a New Key
Whether you’ve cheap lost car key replacement your car keys or they’ve been stolen, the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance company right away. You can be sure that your claim will get handled properly if anything happens to the vehicle in the future.
If you own a standard key (which does not have chip) you can simply get a replacement at any hardware store or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and most affordable option.
For more modern cars with a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it might be a little more difficult. You will need to visit your local dealership to purchase a new key. Based on the make and model of your car this could cost upwards of $200.
To avoid this, you should keep a spare set of keys in a different location than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you lose things.