Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there's an occasion when you'll lose your car keys. It's crucial to be prepared for this situation.
Based on the model of your car, the first call you should make is to a locksmith or a dealership. They can design keys for replacement for your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There are few things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can make your day miserable, cause a lot of anxiety and even trigger unwanted calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that can happen to anyone 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 the case). But, in reality things often take a much darker turn. When you lose your keys, it is crucial to remain calm and follow the steps.
Remember that many things are not lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it is an ideal idea to go back and look over your steps. To accomplish this it's a good idea to bring a flashlight to help you search in dark areas and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to help you search, as another set of eyes can be 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 inside of pockets, bags, and jackets you wore or used recently. If you've lost your keys at a store check with other shoppers or employees if they noticed something different.
It might seem obvious to check your bags and pockets for your missing car keys, but it's important to do it in a thorough manner. Clean your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Feel around the zippered areas. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have been snatched from your bag.
You could also retrace your steps and look in places where you know it isn't in, like the freezer or fridge. A lot of times, things go missing when we try to find them but then take them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've worked hard all day and are now ready to head home, put on your comfortable sweats, eat pizza and binge watch your favorite show. You find that your keys to your car are missing.
Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are too packed. You can also put your keys in a busy space, like 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 access the gas cap from outside your car because a thief could easily see you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys there.
You can also put your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don't put them there too tightly, as you could accidentally crush them when you shut the car door.
4. Contact the police
Sometimes, we lose things because we're a little distracted. You could be running a quick errand, and you have left your keys on the seat. Perhaps you require two hands to pick up an empty bag of groceries. Whatever the reason it happens to every person.
If you lose something, it's crucial to notify the police right away. This way, you can make a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially important if your keys are lost outside your home at the grocery store, or in a public place.
Make sure to go through all of your steps before you begin. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the time you last seen them. Asking your friends and family whether they've seen your keys is a excellent idea. This will help ensure your car's security and also stop others from stealing it (which could lead to additional costs such as new ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key, it's always an excellent idea to make an exact copy of it in the event that this happens to you again.
5. Call a Locksmith
Many people forget where they placed their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are, however, some actions you can take to aid.
Start by retracing your steps, and then searching for areas you think you might have left them. If you are still unable to locate them, look in the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Call a locksmith and ask whether they can locate your keys. They may be able cut keys or replace your locks, if necessary. They also have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
When you do call locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of ownership for your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. You might have to wait for several days for a dealership to send you a replacement key, dependent on the circumstances.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
You might lose your keys to your car at times and it can cause you to lose your day. It could be that you were running a quick run and forgot to put them on the seat or maybe you put your key down for a second to grab something but lost track of it.
Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is vital. This will be recorded on paper and prevent others from using your vehicle without permission. This also helps you avoid being fined.
Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. However, it's still best to talk to your agent to make sure you're covered before you file a claim.
You should consider investing in a Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. 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 at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
It is possible to lose your keys at any time. You could be out on an errand and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or, replace lost key might be getting out of your car after a long workday and not remember where you put the keys.
There are ways to avoid this from happening again. The best method to prevent this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These small 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 help you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other users to assist you in finding them in case your keys are out of reach.
Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to always place them in the same spot each time you return home. Whether it's on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, keeping the habit 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 keys to your car, or if they are stolen. You can be sure that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the car in the future.
If you own a standard key (which does not have chips) you can get a replacement at any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and least expensive solution.
For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it could be a bit more difficult. You will need go to your local dealer to get a replacement key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200 based on the make and model of your vehicle.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key and keep it somewhere other than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your office or home, especially the place where you tend to lose things.