Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Whatever way you are, there's an occasion when you'll lose your car keys. It's important to be prepared for this situation.

Depending on the vehicle you have the first phone call you must make is to a locksmith or a dealership. They can design a replacement key to fit your vehicle.

1. Retract your steps

There are few things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can make your day miserable, cause an anxiety-filled day and can even result in unsavory phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone, regardless of how organized you are.

The best-case scenario would be that they appear exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). However the situation could be more grave. If you lose your keys, it's essential to remain calm and retrace the steps.

Keep in mind that many things are not lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Before taking drastic measures, it is a good idea for you to retrace and search your steps. To do this it's recommended to carry a flashlight to help you find dark areas and drawers. You can also ask a friend to assist you for items, because a second pair of eyes can be very beneficial.

2. Check the Inside

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

The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may appear obvious, but you should do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, even those on jackets and purses. Examine all zippered areas. It's also an excellent idea to go through the trash and recycle bin in the event that keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something else.

You can also retrace your footsteps and search in places where the item is not, such as the freezer or fridge. Many items get lost my only car key when we search for something, but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are now ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, have pizza and watch your favorite show. You find that your keys to your car are missing.

Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are overly packed. It's also common to leave your keys behind in a congested area such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so make sure you've checked these areas.

Under the car is another popular hiding spot. If you choose to hide your keys under the car be sure you can open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, thieves may be able to see you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You can also store your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Be sure that you don't secure them too tightly or you'll accidentally crush them when you shut the door of your car.

4. Call the Police

We are prone to lose things when we are distracted. You might be running an easy errand and you've forgotten your keys on the car seat. Perhaps you require two hands to carry an empty bag of food items. It happens to everyone.

When you lose something, it's crucial to call the police right away. You can then make a police report to help protect your car from thieves. This is important if you have lost your keys outside your home, in the shop, or anywhere else in public.

Before you begin make sure you follow your steps. Recreate the scene from the last time you looked at your keys in your mind. Asking your friends and family whether they've seen your keys is a excellent idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and stop other people from using it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new locks for doors and ignition). It is a good idea, in the event that you have a spare car key to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.

5. Contact a locksmith prices for lost car keys

People often forget where they placed their keys, especially if they're stressed or distracted. There are, however, a few things you can do to aid.

Start by retracing your steps and searching the areas you think you might have abandoned them. If you're still unable to find them, try searching inside the car. Many people lose their keys that hang on the keychain or inside the visor, so it's worth a quick look in there.

Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they can locate your keys. They might be able to cut keys for you or alter the locks if required. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do contact a locksmith, be prepared to provide proof of ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. You may have to wait for several days for a dealership to send you a replacement key depending on your situation.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

It is possible to lose your car keys from time to time and it could ruin your day. You could have been on an easy errand and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you may have put them down to take a look at something and then lost keys to car track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is important. This will be recorded on paper and will stop other people from using your vehicle without permission. It also prevents you from being fined.

The homeowner's insurance policy could cover your keys if reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to contact your agent and confirm that you are covered before filing an insurance claim.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags, Tiles or the numerous 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 in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Keys can be lost electric key at any time. You might be on the run and forget to put them down on the seat, or you may be getting out of your car after a long day at work and you can't remember where you put them.

There are fortunately ways to stop this from happening in the near future. The best method for doing this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your keyring or wallet and can be connected to an app for your phone. When you launch the app it will sound or flash to assist you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other users to assist you in locating them in case your keys aren't in range.

Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to always place them in the same place each time you return home. It doesn't matter if you put them in an table or hang them on an iron by the door. Making this routine a habit will make it easier to locate 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 are stolen. You can be sure that your claim will be dealt with properly in the event of any damage to the car key lost in the future.

If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key it is easy to purchase an additional one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and least expensive solution.

It might be more difficult for cars equipped with smart keys and require an electronic fob. You'll have to visit your local dealership to get a replacement key. Based on the model and make of your car key lost replacement it could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.

To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key and keep it somewhere different from your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your house or office particularly in the areas that you tend to drop things.