Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how organized you are, there will come a time when you lose your car keys. If this happens, it's important to be aware of what to do.

Depending on your vehicle, the first call you must make is to a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can create keys for replacement for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can make your day miserable, cause an anxiety-filled day and even lead to unwanted calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are a meticulously organized person or not, losing your keys can happen to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). But, in reality things often take a much darker turn. It is important to remain calm and return to your path if you lose your keys.

Be aware that a lot of things don't go unnoticed forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Before resorting to extreme measures it is an ideal idea to go back and look over your steps. To do this it's recommended to bring a flashlight to help you find dark areas and drawers. You can also ask someone to assist you, because a second pair of eyes can be very helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you haven't found your car keys after returning to your location and looking in common places like key hooks, look for them in bags, pockets and jackets you've worn or Lost My Car Keys used recently. If you've lost them at the store, talk to employees or customers to see if they have noticed something unusual.

Checking your pockets and bags for keys missing may appear obvious however, you must do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, including the ones on purses and jackets. Check every zippered area. It's also recommended to go through the trash and recycling bins in the event that your keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something else.

It may be helpful to go back again and search places where you know they're not, such as the refrigerator or freezer. Many things are lost when we reach for something, but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a long day and just want to go home, put on your comfy sweats, Lost My Car Keys eat some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. But, you discover that your car keys are missing.

While you're walking around, check overly cluttered spaces such as tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. You could also leave your keys in a crowded area, such as in the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you choose to hide your keys there ensure that you can open the gas cap on your car from outside. If not, a burglar may be able to see you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You could also consider hiding your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to place them too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you close the door.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we lose things because we are just a little distracted. You may be on the run for a few minutes and you have put your keys in the seat, or you might just require two hands to grab a bag full of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to all.

If you lose something, it's important to contact the police away. This way, you can file a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is essential if you have lost car keys price your keys outside your home, in the shop or any other place in public.

Make sure you retrace every step before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced the last time you looked at your keys in your head. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is also a good idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from stealing it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new ignition locks and door locks). If you have a spare key, it is always recommended to create copies of it in case something similar occurs again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's normal for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a hurry. There are a few simple things you can try to assist.

Begin by retracing your steps and looking for places you think you may have left them. If you're unable to find them, try looking inside the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

Call a locksmith and ask whether they can locate your keys. They may be able to cut you a new key or even change your locks if required. 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. This includes your registration or title. You might have to wait several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key, depending on your situation.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

You may lose your car keys from time to time and it can cause you to lose your day. It could be because you were running an run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you put your key down for a second to grab something, but lost track of it.

It's important to report a lost key immediately to the police. This will result in a paper record and prevent others from using your car without your permission. This can also help you avoid getting punished.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police and your homeowner's insurance could cover them since they're considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you're insured prior to filing an insurance claim.

Think about investing in an Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid having to deal with the stress of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys at the time you least would. You could be on an errand and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long workday and forget where you placed the keys.

Fortunately, there are ways to stop this from happening again in the future. The best way to do this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices are attached to your wallet or keyring and can be connected to an app for your phone. The app will flash or ring when you open it to assist you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other people to assist you in locating the keys if they aren't in range.

Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to put them in the same spot each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if it's in the bowl on your entry table or hung on a hook near the door, establishing a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

It's important to notify your insurance company immediately if you lose your keys to your car or if they're stolen. That way you can be assured 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 lost, you can easily get an additional one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.

For more modern cars with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it could be a bit more difficult. It is likely that you will need go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership to get an entirely new key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200, based on the make and model of your vehicle.

To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you're likely to lose things.