Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how organized you are, there comes a time when you lose your car keys. It is important to be prepared for this eventuality.
You should contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on your vehicle. They can design a replacement key to fit your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There aren't many things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even lead you to receive unpleasant phone 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 that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). In reality it is possible for the situation to be much more grave. It is important to keep your cool and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.
Be aware that a lot of things are not lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it is recommended to retrace and search your steps. To do this it's recommended to carry a flashlight with you to help you find dark areas and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to search with you to help you, as a second set of eyes can be helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you are unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and checking common places like key hooks, examine the pockets, bags and jackets you've recently wore or used. If you've lost your keys at a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they've noticed something different.
Examining your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might seem like common sense however, you must be thorough. Clean out all pockets that you carry around such as those in jackets and purses, and make sure to check every zippered space. It's also a good idea to comb through the recycling and trash bins in the event that keys got lost in your bag and got crushed by something else.
It could be beneficial to go through your steps again and search places where you are sure they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many items are lost when we reach for something, but we forget about it. then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You've worked hard all day and are ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, eat pizza and binge watch your favorite show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing.
Examine desks and pockets that are too packed. It's also not uncommon to lose your keys in a crowded spot such as in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure to thoroughly check those places.
Another popular hiding place is under the car. If you decide to hide your keys there, make sure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. If not, a burglar may be able to see the keys you have hidden under your car.
You can also put your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Just be careful that you don't secure them too tightly or you'll accidentally crush them as you shut the car door.
4. Call the Police
It is easy to lose things when we're distracted. You could be running a quick errand and have your keys on the seat or you may need two free hands to pick up a bag of food items. It happens to all of us.
It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose any item. This way, you can submit a claim and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your home or at the store or at a location that is public.
Before you start, be sure to follow your steps. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the last time you observed them. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is another good idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and stop other people from stealing it. (This could lead to costs like new locks for doors and ignition). If you have a spare key, it's always a good idea to make copies of it in case this occurs again.
5. Contact a locksmith
It's common for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are a few easy things you can try to help.
Begin by retracing the steps you've taken and searching for the areas where you think they might be. If you're still struggling to locate them, try looking inside the car. It's not uncommon for people to lose 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 new key or even alter your locks if required. They have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to provide proof of ownership when you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle registration or title. It could take for several days for a dealership to send you a replacement key dependent on the circumstances.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
You might lose your keys to your car at times and it could ruin your day. You could have been on an easy errand and misplaced your keys on the seat, or you may have put them down to get something to grab for a second and then lost track.
Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is important. G28 Car Keys creates a paper trail and helps keep other people from using your vehicle without permission. It also prevents you from getting penalized.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might cover them since they're considered personal property. However, it's still best to talk to your agent to ensure you're covered before you file an claim.
You should consider purchasing the purchase of a Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you from going through the hassle of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always in reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
It is possible to lose your keys at any moment. You might be on the run and do not remember to put them on the seat or you might be getting out of your car after a long day at work and can't remember where you put them.
There are fortunately ways to prevent this from happening in the future. The best way to do this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be affixed to a wallet or keyring and can connect to an app on your phone. The app will flash or ring when you open it, to aid you in finding your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions to allow other people can help you locate them if you are lost.
Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to keep them in the same spot each time you return home. It doesn't matter if it's on your entry table 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
If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance provider right away. So you'll be able to rest sure that your claim will be dealt with correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key, you can easily get a new one at any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and least expensive solution.
It may be more difficult for vehicles that have an electronic key and an electronic fob. It is likely that you will need visit the local dealership and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. This can cost you up to $200 based on the model and make of your car.
To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key and keep it somewhere different from your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a good idea, especially in areas where you lose things.