Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how organized you are, there will come the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. It's important to be prepared for this eventuality.

You should call an auto locksmith or a dealership, based on your vehicle. These professionals can make an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things that are more painful than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, create an anxiety-filled day and even trigger unwanted calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are an organized person or not losing your keys could occur to anyone.

The ideal scenario is for them to turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). But, in reality, things tend to take a more dire direction. It is essential to remain calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

It's important to remember that the majority of things don't go missing forever, and they're often found in some very odd locations. So, before resorting to extreme measures it's a good idea to revisit your steps and search thoroughly. To accomplish this it's recommended to bring a flashlight to aid you in searching dark areas and drawers. You could also invite a family or friend member to join you in your search, as another set of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you're still not finding your car keys after going back to your steps and looking in common places like key hooks, search for them in pockets, bags, and jackets you wore or wore recently. If you've lost them at the store, ask others who are customers or employees to see if they noticed something unusual.

Checking your pockets and bags for keys missing may seem obvious however, you must take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, even those on jackets and purses. Examine all zippered areas. It's also recommended to go through the trash and recycling bin in the event that keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something other.

You can also trace your steps and look in places you know the item isn't in, like the freezer or fridge. A lot of times, things disappear when we try to find them but then take them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a long day and are eager to get home, change into your comfortable sweats, have some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You discover that your car keys are missing.

While you're retracing your steps take a look at areas that are overly cluttered like desks and tabletops and also the pockets of your clothing items. It's also not uncommon to lose your keys in a messy spot, such as in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so be sure to thoroughly check those places.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to do this make sure you can remove the gas cap outside your car as a thief could easily see you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys.

You might also try hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to place them too tightly because they could be crushed when you shut the door.

4. Contact the police

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

If you have lost something, it is important to call the police right away. This way, you can file a report and help to keep your car safe from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your house at the grocery store, or at a location that is public.

Make sure to go through every step before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced when you last glimpsed your keys in your mind. Asking your friends and family whether they've seen your keys is a great idea. This will help to keep your car secure and stop others from using it (which could result in additional costs such as new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key it's always a good idea to make an exact copy of it in case something similar happens to you again.

5. Call for a locksmith

People often forget where they put their keys, especially if they're stressed or distracted. There are a few easy ways to assist.

Retrace the steps you've taken and searching for the areas you believe they may have been left. If you're still struggling to find them, try looking inside the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys in the visor or on the keychain.

Contact a locksmith to inquire if they can find your keys. They might be able to cut you a key or change your locks, if needed. They also have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

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

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are occasions when you lose your car keys and it can put a huge damper on your day. It could be because you were running an errand and accidentally left keys on the floor or maybe you put your key down for a second to grab something, but lost keys replacement track of it.

It is crucial to report a lost key as soon as possible to the police. This will create a paper record and will stop other people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also ensure that you don't get penalized.

The homeowner's insurance policy could cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you are insured prior to making claims.

Consider buying an Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will eliminate the hassle of having to replace lost key for car your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes, you'll lose your keys when you least would. You could be on a quick errand, and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long day at work and forget where you put keys.

There are ways to prevent this from happening again. The best method for doing this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be affixed to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your phone. The app will ring or flash when you open it, to aid you in finding your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions, so that other users can help you locate them if they are not in range.

You can also avoid losing your keys by always putting them in the same place each time you get home. It doesn't matter if you place them in a bowl on the entry table or a hook near the door. Making this a habit will make it easier to find your keys in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

It's important to notify your insurance company immediately if you lose your car keys or if they're stolen. That way you'll be able to rest sure that your claim will be dealt with properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you 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.

It could be more difficult for cars equipped with a smart key and require an electronic fob. You'll need to visit your local dealer to purchase a new key. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle it could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.

To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key to keep it somewhere else than your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a great idea, especially in the areas where you lose things.