Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how well-organized you are, there's the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. When this happens it's crucial to be prepared.

You should contact a locksmith, or a dealership, based on your vehicle. They can design a replacement key to fit your vehicle.

1. Retract your Steps

There are few things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety, and even cause you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are an organized person or not, losing your keys can occur to anyone.

The best case scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). In reality the situation could be much more serious. It is crucial to keep your cool and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

It's also important to remember that the majority of things don't go missing forever, and they're often found in odd locations. So, before resorting to extreme measures it's best to revisit your steps and conduct a thorough search. Bring a flashlight to look through dark corners and drawers. You could also ask someone to assist you in your search for you, as a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you haven't found your car keys after going back to your steps and looking at common locations like key hooks, search for them inside of pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you've lost them in the store, ask employees or customers to see if they have noticed anything out of the ordinary.

It may appear obvious to check your bags and pockets for keys to your car that are missing however, it's crucial to do so thoroughly. Empty your pockets, even those on purses and jackets. Examine all zippered areas. It's also an excellent idea to go through the trash and recycling bins in the event that your keys fell out of your bag and got crushed by something else.

You can also retrace your steps and look in places where the item isn't, like the freezer or fridge. Many times, items are lost when we try to find them but knock them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've put in the hours and are now ready to head home put on your comfy sweats, order pizza and watch your favorite show. You find that your keys to your car are missing.

While you're walking around take a look at areas that are overly cluttered like desks and tabletops as well as the pockets of your clothing items. It's also common to lose your keys in a congested area such as in a door handle or in the refrigerator, Lost My Car Keys so make sure to thoroughly check those places.

Under the car is another common place to hide. However, Lost My Car Keys if you do this, make sure you open the gas cap from outside your vehicle as a thief could easily see you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys.

You can also hide your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don't secure them too tight as you might accidentally smash them when you close the car door.

4. Call the police

We can get lost when we are distracted. You may be doing an easy errand and you have left your keys in the car seat. Or perhaps you need two hands to grab an empty bag of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to every person.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you have lost anything. You can then make a police report to protect your vehicle from theft. This step is especially important if your keys are lost outside of your home or at the store or in a public place.

Before you start ensure that you go back to your steps. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the time you last observed them. It's also recommended to inquire of other people in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from stealing it. (This could result in additional costs, such as the purchase of new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key, it is always an excellent idea to make an exact copy of it in the event that this occurs again.

5. Call a Locksmith

It's not uncommon for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a rush. There are a few easy tips you can use to help.

Start by retracing the steps you've already taken and searching in the places where you think they might have been left. If you're still not able to locate them, look in the car. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.

Contact a locksmith and inquire if they can find your keys. They may be able cut you a brand new key or even change your locks if necessary. They have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to provide proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. This includes your vehicle registration or title. Based on the circumstances, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership, which could take a few days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

It is possible to lose your keys to your car at times and it can make your day miserable. It could be because you were running a quick errand and accidentally left them on the seat or maybe you set your keys down for a moment to grab something and lost the track of it.

Reporting a stolen or lost key for car what to do key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will be recorded on paper and help prevent other people from using your car without your permission. It also stops you from getting fined.

Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you are covered prior to filing a claim.

Consider investing in an Bluetooth tracking device, such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid having to go through the hassle of a car keys replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any moment. You might be out for a quick errand and forget to put them down on the seat or you might be getting out of your car after an extended day at work and you can't remember where you put them.

Luckily, there are ways to stop this from happening in the near future. The best way to do this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be affixed to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your phone. Once you open the app it will sound or flash to help locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow others to assist you in finding the keys if they are not in reach.

You can also make sure you don't lose your keys by putting them in the same place every time you come home. It doesn't matter if put them in an table in the entryway or on an iron by the door. Making this an habit will make it easier to find your keys in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

It is essential to inform your insurance company immediately if you lose your keys to your car, or if they are stolen. You can be assured that your claim will get handled properly if anything happens to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard (non-chip) key it is easy to purchase an additional one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the fastest and cheapest solution.

It could be more difficult for cars with an electronic key and an electronic fob. You'll likely need to go to the local dealership and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. Depending on the model and make of your vehicle this could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.

To avoid this, you should keep a spare set of keys in a different location than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your house or office, especially the place where you are likely to lose things.