Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
You'll lose your keys at some point, regardless of how organized you are. When this happens it is crucial to know what to do.
Depending on your vehicle, the first call you should make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design an alternative key for 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 entire day, create anxiety and even lead you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that could happen to anyone, regardless of how organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they appear exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality things tend to take a darker direction. When you lose your keys, it's crucial to remain calm and retrace the steps.
It is important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they're often found in some very odd locations. So, before resorting to extreme measures it's best to go back and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight with you to look through dark corners and drawers. You could also ask someone to help you search, as a second pair eyes can be extremely helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and examining places you've used like key hooks examine the pockets, bags and jackets you've recently wore or used. If you've lost them at the store, ask employees or customers to determine if they saw anything unusual.
It may seem obvious to look in your bags and pockets for the missing car keys, but it's important to do it in a thorough manner. Empty your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Examine the zippered areas. You should also check the recycling and trash bins to see if any of your keys have been snatched from your bag.
You can also trace your steps and look in places you know the item isn't, like the fridge or freezer. A lot of times, things are lost when we try to find them but knock them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've been working hard all day and are now ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza and binge on your favorite TV show. You realize that your car keys are missing.
Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are too packed. It's also common to leave your keys behind in a congested area such as inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've thoroughly checked those areas.
Another popular place to hide is under the car. However, if you do this, make sure you remove the gas cap outside your vehicle as thieves can easily spot you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.
You might also try hiding your keys in a corner in the dashboard or under the seat. Make sure you don't secure them too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the door of your car.
4. Contact the police
We can lose things when we are distracted. You could be running a quick errand, and you've forgotten your keys on the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to carry the groceries. Whatever g28carkeys happens to every person.
It is important to contact the police immediately if you lose anything. This way, you will be able to file a report and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially important if your keys are lost outside of your home at the grocery store, or in a public place.
Be sure to retrace every step before you begin. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from when you last saw them. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is a great idea. This will help keep your car safe and also stop other people from using it (which could result in additional expenses like new ignition and door locks). It is a good idea, in the event that you have an extra car key to make a duplicate in the event you lose it.
5. Call a Locksmith
People often forget where they put their keys, especially if they're stressed or distracted. There are some ways you can assist.
Start by retracing your steps and searching the areas you think you might have left them. If you're 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 a quick look in there.
Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they have your keys. They may be able cut you a key or change your locks, if necessary. They also have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to show proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. This includes your registration or title. It could take several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key, depending on your situation.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
You may lose your car keys from time to time and it can make your day miserable. It could be because you were running a quick run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you set your keys down for a moment to grab something but lost track of it.
It is important to report a lost key as soon as you can to the police. This will leave a trail on paper and can prevent other people from using your vehicle without permission. This also helps you avoid getting punished.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might be able to cover them as they're personal property. However, it's best to talk to your agent to confirm that you're covered before filing a claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the numerous other options available. This will eliminate the stress of having to replace 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'll lose your keys when you least think about it. You could be out on an errand and you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long workday and forget the place you put them.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the near future. The best way to do this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices are attached to your keyring or wallet and can be connected to an app on your phone. When you launch the app it will ring or flash to assist you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other users to assist you in finding the keys if they are not in range.
Another way to prevent losing your keys is to keep them in the same place each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if you put them in an entry table or a hook near the door. Making this an habit will make it easier to find your keys in the future.
8. Get 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 company right away. You can be certain that your claim will be taken care of if something happens to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a standard key (which does not have chip) you can simply get an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the fastest and cheapest solution.
For more modern cars with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it could be a little more difficult. You'll likely need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle, this could cost upwards of $200.
To avoid this, keep a spare set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to declutter your office or home particularly in the areas where you tend to lose things.