Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
Whatever way you are, there comes an occasion when you'll lose your car keys. If this happens, it's important to know what to do.
You should call a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on the vehicle. These experts can design keys for replacement for your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There are few things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your entire day, create anxiety and even lead you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not, losing your keys can occur to anyone.
The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). However the situation could 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 are not lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. So, before resorting to extreme measures it's a good idea to retrace your steps and conduct a thorough search. Bring a flashlight with you to search dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to join you in your search, as another set of eyes is often helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you can't find your keys after retracing your steps and checking common places like key hooks check inside bags, pockets and jackets that you have recently were wearing or used. If you've lost your keys in a store, ask other shoppers or employees if they've noticed something different.
Examining your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might appear obvious but it is important to take the time to do it with care. Empty all of the pockets you carry such as those in jackets and purses and feel around every zippered area. lost car key replacement 's also an excellent idea to go through the trash and recycle bin in the event that your keys got lost in your bag and were crushed by something other.
It could be beneficial to retrace your steps once again and search places where you know they aren't like the refrigerator or freezer. Sometimes, items go missing when we try to find them but then slam them away and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've been working hard all day and are now ready to head home, put on your comfortable sweats, order pizza and binge watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys are missing.
Examine desks and pockets that are overly filled with. It's also common to lose your keys in a messy spot, such as in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure you've thoroughly checked those areas.
Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to hide your keys there, make sure that you can easily open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, thieves may be able to see the keys you have hidden under your car.
You can also store your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don't secure them too tightly or you'll accidentally crush them as you shut the door of your car.
4. Call the Police
We can get lost when we are distracted. You could be running a quick errand and have your keys on the seat, or you might just require two hands free to carry a load of groceries. It happens to everyone.
It is important to contact the police immediately if you have lost any item. This way, you can file a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is important if you have lost your keys outside your home, at the store, or anywhere else in public.
Make sure you retrace every step before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced the time you last looked at your keys in your head. Asking people around you if they've seen your keys is also a good idea. This will help keep your vehicle secure and prevent others from stealing it. (This could result in additional costs, such as the purchase of new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key it's recommended to create a copy of it in the event that this happens to you again.
5. Contact a Locksmith
Many people forget where they put their keys, especially when they're stressed or distracted. There are a few actions you can take to assist.
Start by retracing the steps you've already taken and searching for the areas in which you think they could be. If you're still unable to locate them, try checking in the car itself. Many people lose their keys hanging from their keychains or the visor It's a good idea to take a quick look in there.
Call a locksmith and ask if they can find your keys. They may be able to make you a new key or even alter the locks on your home if needed. They also 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. You might have to wait several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key, depending on your situation.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
You may lose your keys to your car at times and it can ruin your day. It might be that you were running an errand and accidentally left them on the seat or maybe you set your keys down for a moment to grab something but lost the track of it.
It is important to report a lost key as soon as you can to the police. This will create a paper trail and can to stop others from using your vehicle without your permission. This also helps you avoid being fined.
Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. However, it's still best to speak with your agent to make sure you're covered before filing a claim.
Consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the numerous other options available. This will help you avoid the hassle of having to replace your car keys, and ensure that you always have your keys in reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Keys can be lost at any time. You could be out on a quick errand, and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long day at work and forget the place you put keys.
There are ways to prevent this from happening again. One of the best ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your keyring or wallet and connect to an app on the phone. Once you open the app, it will ring or flash to help find your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions, so that other users can help you locate them if you are not in range.
You can also avoid losing your keys by putting them in the same spot every time you arrive home. Whether it's on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, keeping a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.
8. Get a New Key
It's important to notify your insurance company immediately if you lose your car keys or if they're stolen. That way you'll be able to rest sure that your claim will be handled properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you own a standard key (which does not have chips) you can get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.
For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it might be a little more difficult. It is likely that you will need go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership to get an updated key. This could cost you up to $200, based on the make and model of your vehicle.
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, especially in areas where you're likely to lose things.