Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how well-organized you are, there will come a time when you lose your car keys. It's crucial to be prepared for this scenario.

You should call a locksmith, or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. These professionals can create a replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can make your day miserable, cause lots of stress and can even result in unpleasant calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that can happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.

The best-case scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). However, in reality, things can take a darker direction. If you lose your keys, it is important to remain calm and follow the steps.

Be aware that a lot of things aren't lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. So, before resorting to extreme measures it's best to go back and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight with you to look through dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend to assist you in your search, because a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you are unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and examining common areas like key hooks examine the pockets, bags and jackets you've recently worn or used. If you lost key replacement car them in the store, talk to others who are customers or employees to determine if they saw anything unusual.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might appear obvious but it is important to do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Examine every zippered area. It's also recommended to go through the trash and recycling bins in case your keys fell out of your bag and got crushed by something else.

It may be helpful to go through your steps time and look around for areas where you are sure they aren't, such as the fridge or freezer. Many items get lost when we look for something but then we take it away and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a long day and you're eager to get home, put on your cozy sweats, eat pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. Unfortunately, you realize your car keys have disappeared.

Check pockets and desks that are overly filled with. You can also put your keys in a busy area, such as the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.

Under the car is another popular hiding spot. However, if you do this, make sure you can open the gas cap from outside your car keys lost what to do because thieves could easily spot you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a small nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Just be careful that you don't place them too tight as you might accidentally crush them when you shut the car door.

4. Call the police

Sometimes, we lose things because we are just a little distracted. You might be running an errand that is quick, and you've left your keys in the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to grab an empty bag of food items. Whatever the reason it happens to every person.

It is important to contact the police immediately if you lose any item. You can then submit a police report in order to help protect your car from theft. This step is especially crucial if your keys get lost my car key (click here to read) outside of your home or at the store or somewhere else public.

Make sure you retrace all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene you saw the last time you glimpsed your keys in your head. It's also an excellent idea to ask other people in the area whether they have seen your car keys. This will help to ensure your car's security and stop other people from using it (which could lead to additional costs 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 not uncommon for people to forget where they put their keys, especially when they are busy or distracted. There are, however, some actions you can take to assist.

Begin by retracing your steps and looking for areas you think you might have left them. If you're still not able to locate them, look in the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys in the visor or on the keychain.

Contact a locksmith to inquire whether they can locate your keys. They may be able cut you a key or change the locks if required. They have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

If you do call a locksmith, make sure to provide proof of ownership for your vehicle. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. It could take several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key dependent on the circumstances.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are occasions when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a huge impact on your day. You might have been running an easy errand and misplaced your keys on the seat, or you may have sat down to take a look at something and replacing lost car key track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key lost car to the police as quickly as you can is vital. This will result in a paper record and help prevent other people from using your car without your permission. This will also ensure that you don't get punished.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might be able to take them in as personal property. It's best to contact your agent and confirm that you're covered prior to making claims.

You should consider buying the purchase of a Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you the hassle of having to replace your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes, you'll lose your keys when you least think about it. You could be on an errand and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your car after a long workday and forget where you put them.

There are fortunately ways to prevent this from happening in the future. 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. Once you open the app it will ring or flash to help locate your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions, so that others can assist you to find them if they are not in range.

Another way to prevent losing your keys is to always put them in the same spot each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if place them in a bowl on the table or hang them on an iron by the door. Making this a habit will make it easier to find 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 is to inform your insurance provider immediately. This way you'll be able to rest at ease knowing that your claim will be dealt with correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key you can purchase a new one at any hardware or locksmith. This is the fastest and least expensive solution.

For cars that are more modern and have an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a bit more difficult. It is likely that you will need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership to get an entirely new key. This can cost you up to $200, based on the make and model of your vehicle.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key to keep it somewhere different from your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a good idea, especially in the areas where you're likely to lose things.