Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how organized you are, there's the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. It is important to be prepared for this situation.
Depending on the vehicle you have the first phone call you should make is to a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can make an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract your steps
There aren't many things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety and even lead you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are a meticulously organized person or not losing your keys could happen to anyone.
The best case scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the norm). In reality it is possible for the situation to be more serious. When you lose your keys, it is important to be calm and not panic. You can then retrace the steps.
It is important to remember that most things won't disappear for ever, and are often found in strange places. Before taking drastic measures, it's a good idea for you to retrace and search your steps. To accomplish this, it's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you to help you find dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to help you search, as another set of eyes can be helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you haven't found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking at common locations like key hooks, search for them inside of bags, pockets and jackets that you've worn or used recently. If you've lost your keys in a store check with other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something out of the ordinary.
Examining your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem obvious however, you must do it thoroughly. Clean out all pockets you have on you, including purses and jackets, and make sure to check every zippered space. It's also recommended to go through the trash and recycling bin in the event that your keys fell out of your bag and got crushed by something other.
It may be helpful to go through your steps again and search places where you are sure they aren't like the refrigerator or freezer. Many times, items go missing when we go to them, but then slam them away and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a tough day and just want to go home, change into your comfy sweats, eat pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You find that your car keys are missing.
Check pockets and desks that are overly packed. It's also common to leave keys in a congested area, such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've checked these places.
Under the car is another popular hiding spot. If you decide to do this ensure that you can open the gas cap on your car from the outside. If not, a burglar may be able to see you hiding your keys under your car.
You can also hide your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be sure that you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally crush them as you close the car door.
4. Call the police
It is easy to lose things when we're distracted. You may be doing an easy errand and you have left your keys on the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to grab an empty bag of groceries. It happens to all of us.
It is essential to notify the police immediately if you have lost any item. You can then make a police report to help protect your car from thieves. This is particularly crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your house at the grocery store, or at a location that is 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 mind. Asking other people around you if they've seen your keys is a good idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from stealing it. (This could result in additional costs, such as the purchase of new locks for doors and ignition). If you have a spare key, it's a good idea to make a copy of it in case something similar occurs again.
5. Call for a locksmith
People often forget where they placed their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are replace lost car key can take to aid.
Retrace why not try this out and searching the areas you think you might have left them. If you're unable to find them, try looking inside the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys in their visors or on the keychain.
Lastly, call locksmiths to find out if they can help you find your lost keys. They might be able to cut keys or replace the locks if required. They have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to provide proof of ownership when you call a locksmith. 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 occasions that you'll lose your car keys, and it can put a major damper on your day. You could have been on an errand that was quick and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you might have put them down to grab something for a moment and lost track.
It's important to report lost keys as soon as you can to the police. This will be recorded on paper and help prevent other people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also prevents you from getting fined.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police, your homeowner's insurance may be able to cover them as they're personal property. However, it's best to check with your agent to confirm that you're covered before you file a claim.
You should consider buying the purchase of a Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will prevent you from having to go through the hassle of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing your keys are always at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Keys can be lost at any moment. You could be on a quick errand, and you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your car after a long workday and forget where you put keys.
There are ways to avoid this from happening again. The best way to do this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your phone. When you open the app it will ring or flash to help you find your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow other people can help you find them if they are lost.
Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always keep them in the same spot each time you arrive 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. Find a replacement key
If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company right away. That way, you can rest at ease knowing that your claim will be handled in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you own a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can simply get a replacement at any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.
For modern vehicles with a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it might be a bit more difficult. You will likely have visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership to get an entirely new key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200 depending on the model and make of your car.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key in your possession and keep it somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your house or office especially in areas where you tend to lose things.