Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
Keys will be lost at some point, regardless of how well organized you are. It's important to be prepared for this situation.
It is recommended to contact an auto locksmith or a dealership, based on your vehicle. These experts can design a replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract your Steps
There aren't many things more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety and even cause you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). In reality, the situation can often be more grave. It is crucial to stay calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.
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 is a good idea for you to retrace and search your steps. To accomplish this, it's a good idea to carry a flashlight to help you find dark areas and drawers. You could also ask someone to assist you in your search for you, as a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you haven't found your car keys after going back to your steps and looking at common locations like key hooks, search for them in pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or used recently. If you've lost them at a store, ask others who are customers or employees to determine if they saw anything unusual.
Examining your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might seem obvious however, you must take the time to do it with care. Clean out all pockets you have on you, including purses and jackets, and make sure to look around every zippered area. You should also check the recycling and trash bins to determine if your keys have fallen out of your bag.
It may be helpful to retrace your steps once again and search places where you know they're not like the refrigerator or freezer. Sometimes, items go missing when we try to find them but knock them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've been working hard all day and are ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza and watch your favorite show. You discover that your car keys are missing.
Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are filled with. You can also put your keys in a busy area, such as in the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.
Under replace lost car key is another favorite place to hide. If you choose to do this, make sure that you can open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, a thief may be able to see you hiding your keys beneath your car.
You could also consider hiding your keys in a small nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to place them too tightly because you may accidentally crush them when you shut the door.
4. Contact the police
It is easy to lose things when we're distracted. You might be running an errand and put your keys on the seat or you might need two free hands to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to everyone.
It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you lose anything. This way, you will be able to file a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost outside your home or at the store or at a location that is public.
Make sure you retrace every step before you begin. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from when you last saw them. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is a good idea. This will help to keep your car safe and prevent others from using it (which may result in extra expenses like new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea should you have a spare car key to duplicate it in the event you lose it.
5. Contact a Locksmith
People often forget where they put their keys, especially if they're busy or distracted. There are several actions you can take to aid.
Begin by retracing your steps and searching the places you think you may have abandoned them. If you still can't find them, make sure you check your car. Many people lose their keys hanging on the keychain or inside the visor, so it's worth a quick look in there.
Finally, contact locksmiths to see if they are able to assist you in finding the keys you lost. They may be able cut you a new key or even change your locks if necessary. They have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
Make sure you have proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on your situation you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which can take several days.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
You might lose your keys to your car at times and it could ruin your day. It might be that you were running a quick run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you put your key down for a second to grab something and lost track of it.
It is important to report a lost key immediately to the police. This will result in a paper record and help prevent other people from using your car without your permission. This can also help you avoid getting fined.
Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if you have reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. However, it's still best to speak with your agent to make sure you're covered prior to filing a claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags, Tiles or any of the other options available. This will prevent you from going through the stress of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes you'll lose your keys at the time you least think about it. You might be out for a quick errand and you forget to place them on the seat or might be getting out of your car after an extended day at work, and don't remember where you put them.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the near future. lost car key replacement of the best ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your smartphone. When you open the app it will ring or flash to assist you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow others to help you locate them if your keys aren't in reach.
Another way to prevent losing your keys is to put them in the same place each time you return home. Whether it's on your entry table or hung on a hook near the door, keeping a habit of this will make it easier to find them in the future.
8. Find Visit Web Page
Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing is to inform your insurance provider immediately. So, you can rest at ease knowing that your claim will be dealt with in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you own a standard key (which doesn't have chips) you can get an replacement from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.
For more modern cars with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it could be a bit more challenging. You'll need to visit your local dealership to purchase a new key. This can cost you up to $200 based on the model and make of your car.
To prevent this from happening, keep an extra set of keys in a different location than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a good idea, especially in the areas where you're likely to lose things.