Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Keys will be lost car keys at some point, regardless of how well organized you are. It is important to be prepared for this scenario.

Based on the model of your car 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 that are more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause an anxiety-filled day and even trigger unsavory calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if 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 case). However, the situation can often be much more grave. If you lose your keys, it is important to remain calm and retrace the steps.

It is important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they are often found in some very odd places. So, before taking extreme measures, it's a good idea to retrace your steps and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight to search dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to help you search, as another set of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you can't find your keys after retracing steps and checking common places like key hooks check inside bags, pockets and jackets that you recently were wearing or used. If you lost them in the store, talk to others who are customers or employees to see if they have noticed something unusual.

Examining your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might seem obvious, but you should do it thoroughly. Empty all of the pockets that you carry around, including those in jackets and purses and check every zippered space. It's also recommended to go through the recycling and trash bin in the event that your keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something other.

You can also retrace your footsteps and search in places where the item isn't in, like the freezer or fridge. Many times, items disappear when we try to find them but then slam them away and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a long day and you're eager to get home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys are missing.

Examine desks and pockets that are packed. It's also common to leave keys in a messy spot like inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've checked these places.

Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. However, if you do this make sure you access the gas cap from outside your vehicle as a thief could easily see you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.

You can also hide your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don't place them too tightly, as you could accidentally crush them when you shut the door of your car.

4. Call the Police

We can get lost when we are distracted. You might be running a quick errand and you have put your keys on the seat or you might require two hands to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to all of us.

When you lose something, it's crucial to contact the police away. This way, you can submit a claim and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly crucial if your keys get lost outside your home at the grocery store, or at a location that is public.

Before you begin, be sure to retrace your steps. Recreate the scene you saw the last time you looked at your keys in your mind. Asking people around you if they've seen your keys is also a great idea. This will keep your car safe and stop other people from using it. (This could result in additional expenses such as 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. Call a locksmith

Many people forget where they placed their keys, especially when they're stressed or distracted. There are a few actions you can take to assist.

Start by retracing your steps, and then searching for places you think you might have left them. If you're unable to locate them, consider searching inside the car keys lost what To Do. It's not common for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.

Lastly, call an locksmith to see if they are able to assist you in finding your lost keys. They may be able to make you a new key or even alter the locks on your home if needed. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

When you do call locksmiths, be prepared to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. This includes your registration or title. Based on the circumstances, you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which could take a few days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

There are instances when you lose your car keys and it can put a massive impact on your day. It could be that you were running an run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you put your keys down for a moment to grab something but lost car keys replacement cost uk the track of it.

Reporting a stolen or i've lost my car keys key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will leave a trail on paper and will help to stop people from using your vehicle without your permission. This can also allow you to avoid being penalized.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police, your homeowner's insurance may cover them since they're considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent to confirm that you are insured prior to making an insurance claim.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the many other options available. This will eliminate the hassle of having to replace your car keys, and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Keys can be lost at any time. You could be out for a quick errand and you forget to place them on the seat or might be getting out of your car keys lost what to do after a long day at work, and don't remember where you put them.

There are ways to avoid this happening again. The best way to do this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be connected to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your phone. The app will blink or ring once you open it to aid you in finding your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow other people can help you locate them if they are not in range.

You can also avoid losing your keys by placing them in the same place each time you get home. It doesn't matter if it's in the bowl on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, keeping a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

It's important to notify your insurance company right away in the event that you lose your car keys or if they're stolen. 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 own a standard key (which doesn't have a chip) you can simply get an replacement from any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and cheapest option.

For cars that are more modern and have a smart key car lost that needs an electronic fob, it might be a little more difficult. You'll need go to your local dealer to get a replacement key. This can cost you up to $200, based on the model and make of your vehicle.

To avoid this, you should 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 are likely to lose things.