Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how organized you are, there's a time when you lose your car keys. When this happens, it's important to know what to do.

You should call a locksmith, or a dealership, based on the vehicle. These professionals can create an alternative key for your vehicle.

1. Retract your Steps

There are few things more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, create lots of stress and even trigger unsavory phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if are an organized person or not the loss of your keys can occur to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). In reality, the situation can often be more serious. It is essential to stay calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

It's important to keep in mind that most things won't disappear for ever, and are often found in strange places. So, before resorting to extreme measures, it's a good idea to retrace your steps and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight to search for dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to search with you to help you, as a second set of eyes can be 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, look for them in pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you lost them in the store, talk to other customers or workers to see if they i have lost my car keys noticed anything out of the ordinary.

It might appear obvious to check your pockets and bags for the missing car keys however, it's crucial to do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Check every zippered area. It's also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycle bin in the event that keys got lost in your bag and were crushed by something other.

You can also trace your steps and search places where the item is not, such as the fridge or freezer. Many times, items go missing when we reach for them but knock them off and forget about them.

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 on your favorite TV show. You discover that your car keys are missing.

Check pockets and desks that are filled with. You can also put your keys in a congested area, such as the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.

Another popular hiding place is under the car. However, if you choose to do this, ensure that you can remove the gas cap outside your vehicle as thieves can easily spot you crouched under your car to hide your keys there.

You can also store your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be sure that you don't place them too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the door of your car.

4. Call the Police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we're a little distracted. You may be running an errand and have your keys in the seat, or you might just require two hands to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to everyone.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose anything. This way, you can file a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is crucial if you lose your keys outside of your home, in the shop or any other place in public.

Before you begin, 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 saw them. It is also an excellent idea to ask other people in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help to keep your car safe and also stop others from stealing it (which could lead to additional expenses like new ignition and door locks). It is a good idea, in the event that you have a spare car key, to duplicate it in the event that you lose it again.

5. Contact a locksmith

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

Start by retracing your steps, and then searching for areas you think you might have left them. If you're still not able to locate them, check the car. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys under the visor or on the keychain.

Lastly, call locksmiths to find out if they can assist you in finding the keys you lost. They may be able to cut you a new key or even alter your locks if necessary. They also have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do call a locksmith, make sure to provide proof of ownership of your vehicle. You can use your car's registration or title. You might have to wait several days for a dealer to send you a new key, according to your particular situation.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

There are instances when you lose your car keys, and it can put a massive damper on your day. You might have been running an easy errand and accidentally left your keys on the seat, or you may have put them down to grab something for a moment and then lost track.

Notifying a stolen or lost key to the police as quickly as you can is important. This will create a paper trail and will help prevent other people from using your vehicle without permission. This can also allow you to avoid being punished.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police, your homeowner's insurance may cover them since they're considered personal property. It's best to call your agent to confirm that you're insured prior to making claims.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the many other options available. This will save you the headache of replacing your car keys, and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least think about it. You might be running an urgent errand, only to forget to place them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your vehicle after a long working day and not remember the place you put keys.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the future. One of the best ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed to a keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your phone. When you open the app it will ring or flash to assist you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers have community features that allow others to assist you in finding the keys if they are out of reach.

You can also make sure you don't lose your keys by always putting them in the same spot every time you come home. It doesn't matter if it's in the bowl on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, making the habit will make finding them easier in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance company right away. You can be assured that your claim will be taken care of if something happens to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard key (which does not have chips) you can purchase an alternative from any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and most affordable option.

It might be more difficult for vehicles equipped with a smart key and require an electronic fob. You'll likely need go to the local dealership and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. This can cost you up to $200 based on the make and model of your car.

To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key in your possession 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.