What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

Things are I Lost My Only Car Key in the chaos of life: kids, errands and work socializing with friends etc. It's not always the major things. Sometimes it's just the small things like keys.

For most vehicles keys, a new one can be created at the local hardware store, along with proof of ownership (car registration or title). This is a low-cost alternative.

Retract Your Steps

It can be a nightmare to lose your only car keys and be unable to enter your vehicle. You may lose money, time and peace of your mind. The first thing you need to do when you lose the sole key to your vehicle is to be calm. Stressing yourself out is not going to help you locate your keys more quickly and may make the situation even worse.

Start by trying remembering the last time you seen them. You may have dropped them when you brought your groceries in or perhaps you put them in your pocket when you were out running an errand. Retracing your steps can help you find your lost keys in no time.

If retracing steps doesn't work, try writing all the places you visited throughout the day. This could trigger your memory and give you the clue to locate your keys. Once you've jotted down all the possible places where your keys might be, examine each location. You may find keys "drift" on the floor, side or underneath something, and you'll be in a position to pick them up exactly where you left.

Look Inside Your Car

It wasn't that long ago that misplacing or losing a car keys was not a huge issue. A majority of people had a spare attached to the car in a little box attached to the inside of the bumper. Today, however, cars are becoming more advanced in technology and keys are more likely to disappear. Replacing a stolen or lost car key may require many steps and can cost hundreds of dollars based on the car's type and year of manufacture. It is essential to have a spare key for your car in case you lose your original.

Before you start freaking out about losing your car's only key Take your breath and try to stay calm. Once you've managed your emotions, you can work through the steps to find it. First, retrace your steps and reflect on the last time you held keys in your hands. It's not uncommon to hold your keys as you grab other things, and sometimes they end up on the floor of your car where you don't even see them.

Then, go through your vehicle. Pay special attention to the areas where you usually put them. You might have accidentally thrown the items out of your bag or put them on your dashboard after you got out of your car to go into an establishment.

You should also look through your purses, pockets, and bags. You may forget to check your deep pockets or large bags.

Get help from a locksmith in case you are unable to locate your keys. If you own an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith can typically make you a new one on the spot. If you have a key with a chip and it is a newer model, you will need to contact the dealership to get a new one.

Check Your Hiding Spots

Whether you were in a rush to get out of the door, distracted while trying to eat a sandwich and call or even lost your keys, it's easy to lose keys when you're distracted. The good news is that a lot of people have a spare key that they keep in their home or office that can easily be located in the correct spot. If you have an extra key, it is essential to check all of the places you've previously hidden them. This includes obvious places such as a backpack or purse, a pocket inside the sofa, a pile of mail on the table, or even a drawer in your dresser. If you have a companion with you, ask them to check the same places as well.

There are a variety of magnetic boxes and mini-vaults made to stick onto your vehicle to allow you to keep a spare key inside it. These are perfect for hiding keys, as they won't fall off when you drive over bumps and will protect your key against the elements. A lot of these storage devices also feature combination locks so that even if you give the key to a relative they aren't able to access it without your permission.

A fake rock with a hidden compartment is another way to hide keys. This is a great idea for outdoor areas, but you must be aware that thieves are often on the lookout for these items. If you choose to utilize this method, you can make use of a dark duct to make it more difficult for thieves to see.

The hood is a final spot to look. If you have a key that opens the cap on your gas tank, this can be an ideal spot to hide it because it won't be as visible. Be sure to make use of a sturdy piece of tape so that the key won't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to take it out.

There are ways to reduce the impact of keys lost in your car on your day-to-day life. By taking a few minutes to Retract Your Steps by scouring all of the most frequent hiding spots and calling the local locksmith to retrieve your keys and avoid wasting any money or time.

Contact a locksmith

If you don't have a spare set of keys, the best thing to do in the event that you lose the only car key you have is to call locksmith. They can assist you in recovering the lost key quickly, and give you tips on how to prevent this repeating itself in the future. If you know someone who has a car key duplication shop nearby, it's an alternative, but keep in mind that these kinds of businesses usually require the exact make, model and year of your car in order to copy the correct key.

If your car is an older model, or if it uses a smart key fob, you'll need to visit your dealer for a new replacement. This can be expensive particularly if they have to order the correct key for your vehicle and it could take days or even weeks.

Many people don't know that a locksmith can offer the same service for only a fraction of the cost of a dealership. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith fees or towing costs in the event of a lost keys replacement or stolen key, and some offer roadside assistance that can send professionals to your location to help you get back in your car.

It is important to check the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before selecting an agent. It is also recommended to report your keys to the police immediately if you can. This will ensure that nobody else will be able to access your vehicle without your permission, and is also a way to protect yourself in the event of being victimized by a robber or attacked. By declaring your keys, you also alert police officers to anyone who might attempt to access your car illegally. In the worst-case scenario, it could also protect you from charges of criminality in the event that someone tries to steal your vehicle. It is important to not be frightened if you lose your car keys. Follow the steps above and, if necessary get a family member or friend family member to assist.