Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
Keys will be lost at some point, regardless of how organized you are. When this happens, it's important to be prepared.
Depending on the vehicle you have, the first call you need to make is a locksmith or a dealership. They can design a replacement key to fit your vehicle.
1. Retract your steps
There are few things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create a lot of anxiety and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are a meticulously organized person or not losing your keys could occur to anyone.
The best-case scenario would be that they show up exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). However it is possible for the situation to be much more grave. It is essential to keep your cool and follow your steps if you lose your keys.
It is also important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they are often found in some very strange places. So, before resorting to extreme measures, it's a good idea to go back and conduct a thorough search. In order to do this it's recommended to carry a flashlight to help you find dark areas and drawers. You can also ask a family member or friend member to help you search, as another set of eyes can be beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you are unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and checking common places like key hooks, examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you recently were wearing or used. If you've lost your keys in a store, ask other shoppers or employees if they noticed something unusual.
It might seem obvious to check your bags and pockets for your missing car keys, but it's important to do so thoroughly. Empty your pockets, including the ones on purses and jackets. Check the zippered areas. Also, check the recycling and trash bins to see if any of your keys have been snatched from your bag.
It might be beneficial to go through your steps time and look around for areas where you know they aren't like the refrigerator or freezer. Sometimes, items disappear when we reach for them but then slam them away and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a long day and just want to get home, put on your cozy sweats, eat pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You discover that your car keys are missing.
Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are overly filled with. You can also put your keys in a busy area, such as in the door handle or refrigerator.
Under the car is another favorite place to hide. However, if you do this, make sure you can remove the gas cap outside your car as thieves could easily spot you crouched under your car to hide your keys.
You could also consider hiding your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seat. Just be careful that you don't secure them too tightly, as you could accidentally crush them as you shut the car door.
4. Call the police
It is easy to get lost when we are distracted. You may be doing 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. It happens to everyone.
If you lose something, it is important to notify the police right away. This way, you can make a report and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This is essential when you lose your keys outside of your home, at the store or in public.
Before you do this make sure you follow your steps. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from when you last seen them. It is also recommended to inquire of other people in the area whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car secure and also stop others from using it (which may result in extra costs such as new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea in the event that you have an extra car key to make a duplicate in the event that you lose it again.
5. Contact for a locksmith
Many people forget where they placed their keys, especially if they're stressed or distracted. There are, however, several actions you can take to aid.
Start by retracing the steps you took and searching for the areas in which you think they could have been left. If you're still unable to locate them, try searching inside the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Last but not least, contact a locksmith to see if they can assist you in finding the keys you lost. They may be able cut you a brand new key or even alter your locks if necessary. They also have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
If you do contact locksmiths, be prepared to provide proof of ownership of your vehicle. This includes your registration or title. Depending on the situation, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership, which can take a number of days.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
You might lose your car keys at times and it can make your day miserable. It might be that you were running a quick run and forgot to put them on the seat or maybe you put your key down for a second to grab something, but lost the track of it.
Notifying a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is vital. This creates a paper trail and can to stop others from using your vehicle without your permission. This can also ensure that you don't get penalized.
Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if you have reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. But, it's advisable to speak with your agent to confirm that you're covered before filing an insurance claim.
Consider investing in an Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you the hassle of having to replace 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 can lose your keys at the time you least think about it. You might be on the run and do not remember to put them on the seat, or you may be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work, and don't remember where you put them.
There are ways to stop this happening again. One of the best ways is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices are attached to your wallet or keyring and can be connected to an app on your phone. When you open the app it will ring or flash to help you locate your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions, so that other users can help you locate them if they are lost.
You can also avoid losing your keys by always putting them in the same place every time you arrive home. It doesn't matter whether you place them in an table or hang them on a hook near the door. Making this a habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.
8. Get a New Key
If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing is to notify your insurance company right away. You can be sure that your claim will be handled properly if anything happens to the car in the future.
If you own a standard key (which does not contain a chip) you can get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and cheapest option.
It could be more difficult for vehicles that have an electronic key and an electronic fob. news 'll need to visit your local dealership to obtain a replacement key. Based on the make and model of your vehicle 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 office particularly in the areas that you tend to drop things.