Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
You'll lose your keys at some point, no matter how well organized you are. It is important to be prepared for this scenario.
Based on the model of your car, the first call you should make is to a locksmith or a dealership. These experts can create an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract your steps
There aren't many things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create an anxiety-filled day and even lead to unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if are an organized person or not losing your keys could occur to anyone.
The best-case scenario is for them to turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). However, the situation can often be much more serious. If you lose your keys, it is important to be calm and not panic. You can then retrace the steps.
Be aware that a lot of things aren't lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it's an ideal idea to go back and look over your steps. Bring a flashlight to search dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to help you search for a second pair of eyes can be beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you've not found 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 used recently. If you've lost them in the store, talk to others who are customers or employees to see if they have noticed anything unusual.
Examining your bags and pockets for missing keys may appear obvious but it is important to be thorough. Empty all of the pockets that you carry around such as purses and jackets and be sure to look around every zippered area. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to determine if your keys have disappeared from your bag.
You could also retrace your steps and search places where the item isn't in, like the freezer or fridge. Sometimes, items are lost 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 head home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza and binge on your favorite TV show. You realize that your keys to your car are missing.
Examine desks and pockets that are too filled with. It's also not uncommon to leave keys in a messy spot, such as in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure you've checked these places.
Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you choose to do this be sure you can easily open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, a thief might be able see you hiding your keys beneath your car.
You can also hide your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be cautious not to place them too tightly as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the door.
4. Contact the police
We are prone to get lost when we are distracted. You may be running an errand and you have put your keys in the seat, or you might need two free hands to carry a load of food items. It happens to every person.
If you have lost something, it is important to notify the police right away. You can then make a police report to help protect your car from theft. lost car key no spare is especially crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your home or at the store or in a public place.
Make sure to go through every step before you begin. Recreate the scene from the time you last glimpsed your keys in your head. Asking other people around you if they've seen your keys is a good idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from using it. (This could result in additional expenses such as new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key, it's a good idea to make copies of it in case something similar happens to you again.
5. Call a locksmith
It's normal for people to forget where they put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a rush. There are a few simple things you can try to assist.
Begin 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 on the keychain or inside the visor and it's worth a quick look in there.
Contact a locksmith to inquire whether they can locate your keys. They might be able to cut keys for you or alter your locks, if needed. They have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
When you do call locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of the ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. You might have to wait several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key, according to your particular situation.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
You might lose your car keys at times and it can cause you to lose your day. You could have been on a quick errand when you accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you may have sat down to take a look at something and lost track.
It is crucial to report lost keys immediately to the police. This creates a paper trail and will help to stop other people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also help you avoid getting punished.
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 to confirm that you are covered before making an insurance claim.
Think about investing in an Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid the headache of replacing your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys in reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
You can lose your keys at any moment. You could be on the run and forget to put them down on the seat or you might be getting out of your car after a long day at work, and don't remember where you put them.
There are ways to prevent this happening again. One of the best is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your keyring or wallet and connect to an app on the phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it to help you locate your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow other users can help you locate them if you are not in range.
You can also avoid losing your keys by always putting them in the same place every time you come home. It doesn't matter if you put them in an table or hang them on a hook by the door. Making this an habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.
8. Find a replacement key
Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company immediately. That way, you can rest sure that your claim will be dealt with in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you already have an ordinary (non-chip) key it is easy to purchase a new one at any hardware or locksmith. This is the fastest and most affordable solution.
For cars that are more modern and have an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a little more difficult. You'll likely need to go to your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle this could cost you upwards of $200.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key to keep it somewhere other than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your office or home especially in areas that you tend to drop things.
