lost my keys My Car Keys? Here’s What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there comes the time that you’ll have to lose your car keys. It’s important to be prepared for this situation.
It is recommended to contact an auto locksmith or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. They can design an alternative key for 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. It doesn’t matter whether you are an organized person or not, losing your keys can happen to anyone.
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 more dire direction. It is important to keep your cool and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.
Remember that many things don’t go unnoticed forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. So, before resorting to extreme measures it’s best to retrace your steps and conduct a thorough search. To accomplish this it’s recommended to carry a flashlight to help you search in 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’re unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and examining places you’ve used like key hooks check inside bags, pockets and jackets you’ve recently were wearing or used. If you lost car keys with no spare them in the store, ask employees or customers to see if they noticed something unusual.
Checking your pockets and bags for keys missing may seem like common sense however, you must be thorough. Clean your pockets, including the ones on purses and jackets. Feel around the zippered areas. It’s also an excellent idea to go through the recycling and trash bins in case your keys got I Lost The Keys To My Car in your bag and got crushed by something other.
You could also retrace your footsteps and search in places where the item is not, such as the fridge or freezer. Many items are lost when we search for something, but we forget about it. then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You’ve put in the hours and are now ready to head home, put on your comfortable sweats, eat pizza and on your favorite TV show. Unfortunately, you realize the keys to your car have disappeared.
Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are filled with. It’s also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a crowded spot, such as inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure you’ve checked these areas.
Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you decide to do this, make sure you are able to remove the gas cap outside your car because thieves can easily spot you crouched under your car to hide your keys there.
You can also store your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Be cautious not to place them too tightly because you may accidentally crush them when you close the door.
4. Call the police
Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things simply because we’re a little bit distracted. You could be running a quick errand and put your keys on the seat or you may require two hands free to carry a load of food items. It happens to all of us.
It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you lose any item. You can then submit a police report in order to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your house at the grocery store, or at a location that is public.
Before you begin, be sure to follow your steps. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the time you last seen them. It’s also recommended to inquire of other people in the vicinity whether they have seen your car keys. This will help to keep your car secure and stop other people from using it (which may result in extra costs like replacing ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key it’s always an excellent idea to make a copy of it in case something similar occurs again.
5. Call a locksmith
People often forget where they placed their keys, especially if they’re distracted or in a rush. There are a few basic ways to aid.
Retrace the steps you’ve taken and searching for the areas where you think they might have been left. If you’re still struggling to find them, try searching inside the car. Many people have keys that are hanging from the keychain or in the visor, so it’s worth having a quick look.
Last but not least, contact a locksmith to find out if they can help you find the keys you lost the keys to my car. They might be able to make you a new key or even change the locks on your home if needed. They also have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
If you do contact a locksmith, make sure to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. You can use your vehicle’s registration or title. You might have to wait several days for a dealer to send you a new key, depending on your situation.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
There are occasions when you’re unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a massive impact on your day. You might have been running an errand that was quick and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you might have put them down to get something to grab for a second and lost track.
It is important to report lost keys immediately to the police. This will be recorded on paper and help prevent other people from using your car without permission. This also helps you avoid getting fined.
Your homeowner’s policy may cover your keys if reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. However, it’s still best to speak with your agent to ensure you’re covered before filing an insurance claim.
Keep an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the many other options available. This will save you 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
Sometimes you can lose your keys when you least expect it. You could be on the run and forget to put them down on the seat or might be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work, and don’t remember where you put them.
There are ways to prevent this from happening again. One of the best is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your smartphone. Once you open the app, it will ring or flash to help you find your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow other users can help you find them if they are not in range.
Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to always keep them in the same place each time you arrive home. If it’s in the bowl 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 New Key
If you’ve lost your vehicle keys or they’ve been stolen the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance company immediately. So, you can rest assured that your claim will be dealt with in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you already have an ordinary (non-chip) key, you can easily get a new one from any hardware or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and least expensive alternative.
For modern vehicles with a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a bit more challenging. You will need to visit 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, keep a spare set of keys somewhere else than your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you lose things.
