What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

In the chaos of life - kids, errands, socializing with friends, and work things get lost. Sometimes it's the little things, like keys.

A new key for all cars can be made in the local hardware store if you have proof of ownership. This is an inexpensive alternative.

Retract your Steps

It's a pain to lose your car's only keys and be unable to access your vehicle. It can cost you time, money and peace of mind. The first thing you need to do when you lose your car keys is to be calm. Panicking is not going to help you locate your keys faster and can make the situation worse.

Start by trying to remember when you last looked at your keys. It could be as simple as them being in your pocket when you hopped out of your car to run an run, or they could have been dropped while carrying groceries into the house. You can locate your keys by retracing your steps.

If trying to retrace your steps doesn't work, try recording all the places you've visited throughout the day. This could trigger your memory and give you the clue you need to locate your keys. After you've jotted down all the possible places where your keys might be, double make sure you check each spot. Sometimes, keys "drift" to the side, floor or under something, and you might just be capable of picking them up exactly where you left them.

Check Inside Your Car

A few years ago the idea of losing or misplacing a car key wasn't a big issue. Most people had a spare key that was attached to the car in a small container stuck to the inside of the bumper. Today, however, cars are becoming more technologically advanced and keys are more likely to be lost. Replacing a stolen or lost car key may require a number of steps and can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the kind of vehicle and the year of its model. It is essential to have a spare car key in case you lose your original.

Before you start worrying about losing your sole car key, take a deep breath and try to remain calm. Once you have your emotions under control you can begin to work through the steps. Follow your steps and try to remember the last time you held the keys. It's normal to juggle keys while you grab something else, and they may end up on the on the floor, but you aren't able to see them.

Next, thoroughly search your vehicle. Be sure to pay attention to the places you typically put them. You may have accidentally knocked the items out of your bag or placed them on your dashboard after you exited your car to go into a store.

Examine your purses, pockets and bags. It's easy to overlook things in the deep pockets of your coat or in a large bag, so make sure to empty them out and look carefully through every crevice.

Get help from a locksmith if you can't locate your keys. If you own an old-fashioned metal key that has no electronic components, a locksmith could usually create an entirely new key on the spot. If you have a key fob with chips and is a more recent model, you will have to contact the dealer to obtain a new one.

Make sure you are aware of your hiding spots

It doesn't matter if you were in a hurry to get out the door or distracted while trying to eat a sandwich and call or you simply forgot your keys, it's easy to lose them when you are distracted. The good thing is that the majority of people have a spare key that they keep in their home or office that can be located in the right place. It is essential to look over every place you've hidden your spare key. These include obvious places such as a purse, backpack or a sofa pocket or a pile on your desk, or in a dresser drawer. If you have a family member with you ask them to look over the same places as well.

There are also several magnetic boxes and mini-vaults that are designed to be affixed to your vehicle to allow you to keep a spare key inside it. They are ideal for hiding keys because they won't fall off accidentally when you drive over a bump, and they will also shield your key from the elements. Many of these storage units come with combination locks, meaning that even if a friend gets the key but they aren't capable of opening it without your help.

Another trick to hide keys is to purchase fake rocks that have a hidden compartment. This is a great option for outdoor areas. However, you must be aware that burglars will often look for these items. If you decide to use this method, try using dark duct tape to make it harder for thieves to detect.

One last place to look is the hood of your car. This is a good place to hide keys to the gas cap if you have one. It won't be seen. Just be sure to use a strong piece of tape to ensure the key doesn't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to remove it.

There are methods to lessen the impact of keys missing from your car in your day-to-day life. By taking a few seconds to Retract Your Steps, checking all of the most frequent hiding spots, and calling the local locksmith to retrieve your keys and not waste any unnecessary time or money.

Contact a locksmith

If you don't have a spare set of keys the best thing you can do if you've lost your only car key is contact locksmith. They can help you retrieve the key quickly, and also be able advise you on how to avoid this from happening in the future. You could also contact an auto key duplicate business. However, they'll need the exact brand, model, and year of your car to duplicate a key.

If your car is an older model, or utilizes a smart key fob you'll need to visit your dealer to request a replacement. This can be costly particularly if they have to purchase the right key for your car, and it can take days or even weeks.

Many people are unaware that a locksmith can provide the same service for less than a dealership. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith charges and towing costs in the event of a lost key or stolen key. Some even provide roadside assistance, which will send professionals to you to assist you with getting into your car.

It's worth checking the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before selecting the dealer. You should also notify the police immediately if you can. This will help to ensure that your vehicle is not used without permission, and you are protected in the event of a robbery or assault. The act of reporting your keys will allow police officers to be on watch for anyone who might try to use your vehicle for illegal purposes. In the event of a worst-case scenario you could be shielded from criminal charges if someone tries to steal your vehicle. It is crucial not to panic if you have i lost my only car key - link web page, the keys to your car. Try the above steps and, if you need to, enlist a friend or family member to help.