Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do You'll lose your keys at some point, regardless of how well organized you are. It's crucial to be prepared for this situation. Based on the model of your car the first call you must make is to a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can make an alternative key that will 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 lots of stress and even lead to unsavory phone calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that happens to everyone regardless of how organized you are. The best-case scenario is for them to turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). But, in reality things tend to take a more gloomy direction. It is essential to stay calm and return to your path if you lose your keys. It's important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they are often found in some very unusual places. So, before resorting to extreme measures, it's a good idea to revisit your steps and search thoroughly. To do this, it's a good idea to bring a flashlight to aid you in searching dark areas and drawers. You can also ask a friend or family member to help you search for a second pair of eyes can be beneficial. 2. Check the Inside If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing steps and examining common areas like key hooks check inside bags, pockets and jackets that you recently worn or used. If you've lost them at the store, ask other customers or workers to see if they have noticed anything out of the ordinary. It may seem obvious to look in your bags and pockets for the missing car keys however, it's crucial to do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, even those on jackets and purses. Check every zippered area. You should also look in the recycling and trash bins to see if your keys have been snatched from your bag. It might be beneficial to go through your steps time and look around for areas where you know they aren't like the freezer or refrigerator. A lot of times, things disappear when we reach for them but then take them off and forget about them. 3. Check the Outside You've had a tiring day and you're eager to go home, put on your cozy sweats, eat pizza, and watch your favorite TV show. Unfortunately, you realize 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 clothes. You may also leave your keys in a busy area, such as the door handle or in the refrigerator. Under the car is another common place to hide. If you decide to do this, make sure you are able to access the gas cap from outside your car as thieves can easily spot you crouched under your car to hide your keys under the car. You can also hide your keys in a small nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Just be careful that you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally smash them when you close the car door. 4. Call the police Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things simply because we're a bit distracted. You might be running a quick errand and have your keys on the seat or you might require two hands free to pick up a bag of food items. It happens to all of us. It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose any item. This way, you can file a report and help to keep your car safe from thieves. This is essential if you lose your keys outside of your home, at the store or any other place in public. Before you begin make sure you follow your steps. Recreate the scene you saw the last time you looked at your keys in your head. Asking people around you if they've seen your keys is a good idea. This will keep your car safe and stop other people from stealing it. (This could lead to costs like new ignition locks and door locks). If you have a spare key it's an excellent idea to make copies of it in case something similar happens to you again. 5. Contact a Locksmith It's common for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they are busy or distracted. There are several ways you can aid. Retrace your steps and searching the places you think you might have abandoned them. If you're unable to locate them, consider checking in the car itself. Many people have keys that are hanging on the keychain or inside the visor, so it's worth having a quick look. Contact a locksmith and inquire if they can find your keys. They may be able cut you a brand new key or even alter your locks if required. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors. If you do contact a locksmith, be prepared to show proof of ownership of your vehicle. This includes your registration or title. It could take several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key according to your particular situation. 6. Contact Your Insurance Agent There are occasions when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a major impact on your day. It could be that you were running an run and forgot to put keys on the floor or maybe you put your keys down for a second to grab something but lost track of it. It is crucial to report a lost key as soon as you can to the police. This will leave a trail on paper and helps prevent other people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also stops you from being fined. 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. However, it's best to check with your agent to confirm that you're covered prior to filing an claim. You should consider buying an Bluetooth tracking device, such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid the hassle of having to replace your car keys and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys in reach. 7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker Sometimes, you'll lose your keys at the time you least think about it. You might be running a quick errand, and you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long day at work and forget where you placed keys. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. One of the best ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. replacing lost car keys are attached to your wallet or keyring and connect to an app on the phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it to aid you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other people to assist you in locating them if your keys are out of reach. 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 it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or on a hook near the door, keeping a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future. 8. Get a Replacement Key If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing is to inform your insurance provider right away. This way, you can rest sure that your claim will be dealt with correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future. If you have a standard key (which does not contain chip) you can simply get a replacement at any hardware store or locksmith. This is the fastest and least expensive solution. For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it may be a little more difficult. It is likely that you will need to go to the local dealership and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. Based on the model and make of your vehicle this could cost anywhere from $200 to $300. To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys in a different location than your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you can't find things.
replacing lost car keys
