Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
You will lose your keys at some point, no matter how well organized you are. It's crucial to be prepared for this situation.
It is recommended to contact a locksmith, or a dealership, based on the vehicle. They can design a replacement key to fit your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There aren't many things more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety, and even trigger unsavory phonecalls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not the loss of your keys can occur to anyone.
The ideal scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the norm). However, in reality, things can take a darker direction. It is important to keep your cool and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.
Remember that many things are not lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures it's a good idea to go back and conduct a thorough search. Bring a flashlight to look through dark corners and drawers. You could also ask someone to assist you in your search, as a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you've not found your car keys after going back to your steps and looking at common locations like key hooks, search for them inside of pockets, bags, and jackets you wore or wore recently. If you lost your keys in a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they noticed something unusual.
It may seem obvious to check your bags and pockets for your missing car keys However, it's essential to do so thoroughly. Empty all of the pockets you have on you, including those in purses and jackets and be sure to check every zippered space. Also, check the recycling and trash bins to see if any of your keys have been snatched from your bag.
It may be helpful to go back again and search places where you know they're not, such as the freezer or refrigerator. Sometimes, 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 you're eager to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and binge-watch your favorite TV show. You realize that your keys to your car are missing.
While you're retracing your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered such as tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothing items. You may also leave your keys in a crowded area, such as the door handle or refrigerator.
Under the car is another popular hiding spot. If you decide to choose to do this, ensure that you access the gas cap from outside your car because thieves can easily spot you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.
You can also hide your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seat. Make sure you don't secure them too tightly or you'll accidentally smash them when you shut the door of your car.
4. Call the Police
It is easy to lose things when we are distracted. You could be running a quick errand, and you've forgotten your keys in the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to grab the groceries. Whatever the reason it happens to every person.
When you lose something, it's important to notify the police right immediately. You can then file a police report to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is essential if you lose your keys outside your home, at the store or in public.
Before you do this, be sure to retrace your steps. Recreate the scene you saw when you last saw your keys in your head. It's also recommended to inquire of other people in the vicinity whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car secure and also stop others from stealing it (which could result in additional expenses like new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea should you have a spare car key to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.
5. Contact a Locksmith
It's not uncommon for people to forget where they put their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are a few easy ways to assist.
Begin by retracing the steps you've taken and then searching for the locations you believe they may have been left. If you're still not able to locate them, check the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Lastly, call locksmiths to find out if they can help you find your keys that have disappeared. They may be able make you a new key or even change your locks if necessary. They also have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle's registration or title. Based on the circumstances you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which can take several days.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
There are occasions that you'll lose your car keys, and it can put a major downer on your day. You might have been running a quick errand when you accidentally left your keys on the seat, or you could have sat down to take a look at something and lost track.
It is important to report lost keys as soon as you can to the police. This will result in a paper record and will stop other people from using your car without permission. This can also ensure that you don't get penalized.
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. However, it's best to check with your agent to ensure you're covered prior to filing a claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or any of the other options available. This will help you avoid the headache of replacing your car keys and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys within reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes you can lose your keys when you least would. You could be running a quick errand and forget to put them down on the seat or might be getting out of your car after a long day at work and you can't remember where you put them.
There are ways to stop this happening again. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be attached to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your phone. The app will flash or ring when you open it to assist you in finding your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions, so that others can assist you to locate them if they are not in range.
Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to always place them in the same place every time you get home. It doesn't matter if place them in an table in the entryway or on a hook near the door. Making this an habit will help you locate 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 to do is to inform your insurance provider right away. So you'll be able to rest assured that your claim will be dealt with properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you already have an ordinary (non-chip) key, you can easily get an additional one from any hardware or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and cheapest option.
For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it may be a bit more challenging. You will likely have to go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership to get an entirely new key. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle it could cost upwards of $200.
To prevent this from happening, keep an extra set of keys in a different place than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you're likely to lose things.