Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how organized you are, there will come the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. It's important to be prepared for this eventuality.
Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you must make is to a locksmith or a dealership. They can design an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There are few things that are more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even lead you to receive unpleasant phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone regardless of how organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). In reality the situation could be much more serious. It is essential to keep your cool and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.
It is important to keep in mind that most things won't disappear for ever, and are often found in some very strange locations. Before you resort to drastic measures, it is recommended to retrace and search your steps. Bring a flashlight to search for dark corners and drawers. You could also ask someone to help you search for items, as a second pair eyes can be very beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you're still not finding your car keys after going back to your steps and looking in the usual places, such as key hooks, look for them inside of bags, pockets, and jackets you wore or used recently. If you lost your keys at a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they noticed something different.
The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may appear obvious but it is important to do it thoroughly. Empty all of the pockets you have on you, including purses and jackets and feel around every zippered area. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have been snatched from your bag.
It might be beneficial to retrace your steps once again and look for places you know they aren't like the freezer or refrigerator. Many items get lost when we search for something, but then we take it away and then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a tough day and just want to get home, put on your cozy sweats, eat some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys have disappeared.
While you're retracing your steps, check overly cluttered spaces like tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. It's also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a congested area, such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've checked these places.
Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. If you choose to hide your keys there, make sure that you can open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, thieves could be able to spot the keys you have hidden under 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 close the door.
4. Contact the police
Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we're a little bit distracted. You may be doing an easy errand and you've forgotten your keys on the seat. Or perhaps you need two hands to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to everyone.
If you lose something, it's important to notify the police right immediately. This way, you can make a report and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your house or at the store or in a public place.
Before you begin make sure you follow your steps. Recreate the scene you saw the last time you glimpsed your keys in your mind. It's also recommended to inquire of other people in the area whether they've seen your car keys. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from using it. (This could lead to costs like new locks for doors and ignition). If you have a spare key, it's always recommended to create copies of it in the event that this occurs again.
5. Call for a locksmith
It's not uncommon for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, especially when they're distracted or in a rush. There are lost car key no spare can aid.
Start by retracing the steps you took and searching in the places in which you think they could be. If you're still struggling to find them, try looking inside the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys under the visor or on the keychain.
Contact a locksmith to inquire whether they have 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 broken or bent keys from locked doors.
If you do contact a locksmith, make sure to show proof of the ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. You may have to wait for several days for a dealership to send you a replacement key, dependent on the circumstances.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
There are times when you lose your car keys and it can put a massive impact on your day. It could be that you were running a quick errand and accidentally left keys on the seat, or maybe you put your key down for a moment to grab something, but lost the track of it.
Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is vital. This will result in a paper record and help prevent other people from using your car without your permission. It also stops you from getting punished.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police and your homeowner's insurance could be able to cover them as they're personal property. It's best to contact your agent to confirm that you're covered before filing a claim.
Consider investing in an Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will prevent you from having to go through the stress of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always within reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes, you'll lose your keys at the time you least think about it. You could be out on an urgent errand, only to you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long day at work and not remember where you put keys.
There are ways to prevent this from happening again. The best way to do this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and can connect to an app on your phone. When you open the app, it will ring or flash to help find your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow other people 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 spot each time you get home. It doesn't matter whether you place them in a bowl on the table or hang them on a hook by the door. Making this an habit will help you locate your keys in the future.
8. Get a Replacement Key
If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance company right away. This way you'll be able to rest assured that your claim will be handled correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you own a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can purchase an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.
For more modern cars with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it could be a bit more challenging. You'll need go to your local dealer to purchase a new key. Based on the make and model of your vehicle it could cost upwards of $200.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key and keep it somewhere other than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a good idea, especially in areas where you lose things.