Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You'll lose your keys at some point, no matter how well organized you are. In the event of this happening, it's important to know what to do.

Based on the model of your car the first call you must make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. These experts can create a replacement key to fit your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There aren't many things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety, and even trigger unpleasant 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 would be that they appear exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). However, in reality, things tend to take a more dire direction. It is essential to keep your cool and return to your path if you lose your keys.

It's important to remember that most things aren't lost forever, and they're often found in some very odd locations. Before resorting to extreme measures it's an ideal idea to go back and trace your steps. In order to do this it's recommended to bring a flashlight to aid you in searching dark areas and drawers. You can also ask a friend to assist you in your search, as a second pair eyes can be very helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you're still not finding your car keys after retracing your steps and checking at common locations like key hooks, look for them inside of pockets, bags and jackets you've worn or wore recently. If you'I ve lost my car keys lost them in the store, ask other customers or workers to see if they noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Checking your pockets and bags for keys missing may appear obvious but it is important to take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, even the ones on purses and jackets. Check every zippered area. Also, check the recycling and trash bins to see if any of your keys have been snatched from your bag.

You could also retrace your footsteps and search in places where you know it isn't, like the fridge or freezer. Many times, items go missing when we try to find them but knock them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a tiring day and are eager to go home, put on your cozy sweats, eat pizza, and watch your favorite TV show. You find that your keys to your car are missing.

Check pockets and desks that are filled with. You can also put your keys in a crowded area, such as in the door handle or refrigerator.

Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you decide to do this, make sure you open the gas cap from outside your car because thieves can easily spot you crouched under your car to hide your keys under the car.

You can also hide your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Be cautious not to place them too tightly because they could be crushed when you shut the door.

4. Contact the police

It is easy to lose things when we are distracted. You may be running a quick errand and you have put your keys on the seat or you might require two hands free to pick up a bag of groceries. Whatever the reason, it happens to every person.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you have lost any item. You can then submit a police report in order to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is important if you have lost your keys outside your home, at the store, or anywhere else in public.

Be sure to retrace every step before you begin. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from when you last observed them. It is also an excellent idea to ask others in the vicinity if they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car safe and stop other people from using it (which could lead to additional costs like replacing ignition and door locks). It is a good idea, should you have an extra car key to duplicate it in the event you lose it.

5. Contact a Locksmith

People often forget where they put their keys, especially when they're distracted or in a rush. There are a few easy ways to aid.

Begin by retracing your steps and searching the places you think you might have abandoned them. If you still can't find them, check the car. Many people have keys that are hanging from the keychain or in the visor It's a good idea to take taking a look.

Contact a locksmith to inquire if they can find your keys. They may be able cut you a new key or even alter your locks if necessary. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

Make sure you have proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. You can do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. You might have to wait several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key, dependent on the circumstances.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

You may lose your keys to your car at times and it could make your day miserable. It might be that you were running a quick run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you put your keys down for a second to grab something and lost car key how to replace track of it.

Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as quickly as you can is important. This will result in a paper record and will stop other people from using your vehicle without permission. This also helps you avoid getting punished.

Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if you have reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent to confirm that you are covered before filing an insurance claim.

Keep an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags, Tiles or the many other options available. This will eliminate 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

Sometimes you can lose your keys at the time you least would. You could be running a quick errand and do not remember to put them on the seat, or you may be getting out of your car after an extended day at work and can't remember where you put them.

There are ways to stop this happening again. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your smartphone. When you launch the app it will ring or flash to help locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow others to assist you in finding them in case your keys aren't in range.

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always keep them in the same spot each time you return home. Whether it's on the table in your entryway or on a hanger near the door, keeping a habit of this will make it easier to find them in the future.

8. Get a New Key

It is essential to inform your insurance company right away if you lose your keys to your car or if they're stolen. So you'll be able to rest assured that your claim will be handled properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard key (which does not have chips) you can purchase a replacement at any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and least expensive alternative.

It might be more difficult for vehicles with a smart key and require an electronic fob. You will likely have to go to your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. Depending on the make and model of your car it could cost you upwards of $200.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key and keep it somewhere different from your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your house or office, especially the place where you tend to lose things.