Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
Keys will be lost at some point, regardless of how well organized you are. It's important to be prepared for this situation.
Depending on the vehicle you have the first call you need to make is a locksmith or a dealership. These experts can design a 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 an anxiety-filled day and can even result in unwanted calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that happens to everyone, regardless of how organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). However it is possible for the situation to be more grave. It is important to keep your cool and follow your steps if you lose your keys.
It is important to remember that the majority of things don't go missing forever, and they're often found in some very unusual places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures it's best to revisit your steps and thoroughly search. To do this it's recommended to carry a flashlight to aid you in searching dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to search with you, as another set of eyes is often helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you've not found your car keys after returning to your location and looking at common locations like key hooks, search for them in bags, pockets, and jackets you wore or used recently. If you've lost them at a store, ask employees or customers to determine if they saw anything out of the ordinary.
It may seem obvious to check your pockets and bags for keys to your car that are missing however, it's crucial to do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, even the ones on purses and jackets. Examine the zippered areas. You should also check the recycling and trash bins to determine if your keys have fallen out of your bag.
It could be beneficial to retrace your steps once time and look around for areas where you know they're not, such as the fridge or freezer. Many things are lost when we look for something but we forget about it. then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You've been working hard all day and are ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, have pizza and binge on your favorite TV show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing.
Examine desks and pockets that are packed. It's also not uncommon to leave keys in a congested area like in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure you've checked these areas.
Under g28carkeys is another favorite place to hide. If you choose to hide your keys there, make sure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from outside. If not, a burglar may be able to see the keys you have hidden under your car.
You can also store your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure 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 get lost when we are distracted. You could be running a quick errand, and you have left your keys on the seat. Perhaps you require two hands to grab a bag of food items. It happens to all of us.
If you have lost something, it is important to call the police right immediately. You can then file a police report to protect your vehicle from theft. This is important when you lose your keys outside of your home, at the shop, or anywhere else in public.
Be sure to retrace all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced the time you last looked at your keys in your head. It is also an excellent idea to ask other people in the area whether they have seen your car keys. This will help ensure your car's security and prevent others from using it (which may result in extra costs such as new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key it's always an excellent idea to make copies of it in case this happens to you again.
5. Contact a locksmith
It's not uncommon for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, particularly when they're distracted or in a hurry. There are some things you can do to assist.
Retrace your steps and searching the areas you think you might have abandoned them. If you're unable to find them, try searching inside the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys under the visor or on the keychain.
Finally, contact locksmiths to see if they can assist you in finding your lost keys. They might be able to cut you a key or change the locks if required. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. This includes your vehicle registration or title. It could take for several days for a dealership to send you a new key, dependent on the circumstances.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
There are instances when you lose your car keys and it can put a major impact on your day. It could be because you were running an task and left keys on the seat, or maybe you set your keys down for a second to grab something but lost the track of it.
Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This creates a paper trail and will help to stop other people from using your vehicle without your permission. This also helps you avoid getting penalized.
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 still best to speak with your agent to make sure you're covered before filing an insurance claim.
You should consider investing in an Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. 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
Sometimes you can lose your keys when you least would. You could be on an urgent errand, only to you forget to put them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your car after a long working day and not remember where you put them.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the near future. The best way to do this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices are connected to your wallet or keyring, and can connect with an app for your phone. When you open the app it will sound or flash to help locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow others to assist you in locating them in case your keys are not in reach.
Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to place them in the same place every time you get home. Whether it's on the table in your entryway or hung on a hook near the door, keeping a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.
8. Get a New Key
Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing is to notify your insurance company immediately. This way you'll be able to rest at ease knowing that your claim will be dealt with in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a regular key (which doesn't have a chip) you can simply get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and cheapest alternative.
For modern vehicles with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it might be a bit more challenging. You'll likely need to go to your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. This could cost you up to $200, based on the make and model of your car.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key to keep it somewhere else than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, especially in the areas where you can't find things.