Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there comes a time when you lose your car keys. It is important to be prepared for this situation.
It is recommended to contact an auto locksmith or a dealership, based on the vehicle. These professionals can create a replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There aren't many things more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, create an anxiety-filled day and even trigger unsavory calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if are a meticulously organized person or not, losing your keys can happen to anyone.
The best-case scenario would be that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality, things can take a more gloomy turn. If you lose your keys, it is essential to be calm and not panic. You can then retrace the steps.
Remember that many things are not lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. So, before resorting to extreme measures it's best to revisit your steps and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight with you to look through dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a family member or friend member to search with you for a second pair of eyes can be beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you've not found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking in common places like key hooks, search for them inside of bags, pockets and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you've lost your keys at a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they have noticed something different.
Examining your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might appear obvious, but you should do it thoroughly. Clean your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Check every zippered area. Also, check the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have disappeared from your bag.
You could also retrace your steps and look in places where you know it isn't, like the freezer or fridge. Many items are lost when we reach for something, but we forget about it. then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a long day and you're eager to get home, put on your comfortable sweats, have some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite TV show. Unfortunately, you realize your car keys have disappeared.
While you're retracing your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered such as tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. You could also leave your keys in a busy area, such as in the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.
Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you decide to do this be sure you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, a thief might be able see the keys you have hidden under your car.
You can also put your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be careful not to place them too tightly because they could be crushed when you shut the door.
4. Call the police
Sometimes, we forget things because we are just a bit distracted. You may be running a quick errand and you have put your keys on the seat or you might need two free hands to pick up a bag of food items. It happens to every person.
If you have lost something, it is important to contact the police away. This way, you can submit a claim and help to keep your car safe from thieves. This is essential if you lose your keys outside your home, at the shop or any other place in public.
Make sure you retrace every step before you begin. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the last time you saw them. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is a good idea. This will help keep your car safe and stop other people from using it (which could lead to additional expenses like new ignition and door locks). It is a good idea in the event that you have a spare car key, to duplicate it in case you lose it again.
5. Contact a Locksmith
It's common for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a hurry. There are, however, a few things you can do to aid.
Begin by retracing your steps and searching the places you think you might have left them. If you're still unable to locate them, consider looking inside the car. Many people lose their keys that hang from their keychains or the visor and it's worth having a quick look.
Last but not least, contact locksmiths to see if they can help you find your keys that have disappeared. They may be able to make you a new key or even alter your locks if necessary. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
If you do call a locksmith, be prepared to show proof of ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on the situation you may have to wait for a new key from the dealership which could take a few days.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
There are occasions when you lose your car keys and it can put a huge impact on your day. similar web-site may have been running a quick errand when you accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you could have sat down to get something to grab for a second and lost track.
Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is crucial. This will create a paper record and will stop other people from using your vehicle without permission. It also prevents you from being punished.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police and your homeowner's insurance could cover them since they're considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you're insured prior to making claims.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags, Tiles or the numerous other options available. 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
You can lose your keys at any moment. You might be running a quick errand and you forget to place them on the seat or may be getting out of your car after a long day at work, and don't remember where you put them.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. One of the best options is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed to a keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will ring or flash when you open it to help you locate your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions so that other users can help you locate them if they are out of range.
You can also avoid losing your keys by placing them in the same spot each time you get home. It doesn't matter if place them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on a hook near the door. Making this a habit will help you locate your keys in the future.
8. Get a New Key
If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing is to inform your insurance provider right away. So, 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 own a standard key (which does not have chips) you can purchase an alternative from any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and least expensive alternative.
It might be more difficult for cars that have an electronic key and an electronic fob. It is likely that you will need to go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain an entirely new key. This could cost you up to $200 depending on the make and model of your vehicle.
To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your house or office especially in areas that you tend to drop things.