i lost my car keys My Car Keys? Here’s What to Do

Whatever way you are, there’s an occasion when you’ll lose your car keys. It is important to be prepared for this situation.

Depending on your vehicle, the first call you should make is to a locksmith or a dealership. These experts can design an alternative key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things that are more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety, and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that could happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.

The best case scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). However the situation could be more grave. It is important to keep your cool and return to your path if you lose your keys.

It is also important to remember that the majority of things don’t go missing forever, and they’re often found in strange locations. So, before taking extreme measures it’s best to go back and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight to search dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend to assist you, as a second pair of eyes can be very helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you are unable to locate your keys after retracing steps and examining common areas like key hooks examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you recently wore or used. If you’ve lost your keys at a store check with other shoppers or employees if they’ve noticed something out of the ordinary.

It might seem obvious to look in your own pockets and bags for keys to your car that are missing However, it’s essential to do it in a thorough manner. Clean out all pockets you carry, including purses and jackets and be sure to check every zippered space. Also, check the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have disappeared from your bag.

You can also retrace your steps and look in places where the item isn’t, like the freezer or fridge. Many things are lost when we look for something but we forget about it. then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You’ve put in the hours and are now ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, have pizza and watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys are missing.

While you’re retracing your steps take a look at areas that are overly cluttered such as tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. It’s also common to lose your keys in a crowded spot like in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure to thoroughly check those places.

Under the car is another common place to hide. If you choose to do this be sure you can open the gas cap on your car from outside. If not, a burglar could be able to spot you hiding your keys under your car.

You can also store your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don’t put them there too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the door of your car.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we forget things because we’re a bit distracted. You may be doing a quick errand, and you’ve forgotten your keys in the car seat. Or perhaps you need two hands to pick up the groceries. Whatever the reason, it occurs to everyone.

If you lose something, it’s important to call the police right immediately. You can then file a police report to protect your vehicle from theft. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your home or at the store or somewhere else public.

Make sure to go through all of your steps before you begin. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the time you last saw them. Asking people around you if they’ve seen your keys is also a good idea. This will keep your car safe and deter others from using it. (This could result in additional costs, such as the purchase of new ignition locks and door locks). It is a good idea if you have a spare car key to duplicate it in the event you lose it.

5. Contact an expert locksmith

It’s not uncommon for people to forget where they’ve put their keys, particularly when they are busy or distracted. There are, however, a few actions you can take to help.

Retrace the steps you took and then searching for the locations you believe they may be. If you’re still not able to locate them, check the car. It’s not uncommon for people to leave 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 keys or replace the locks if required. They also have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do call locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. It could take several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key, according to your particular situation.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are instances when you’re unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a major downer on your day. You may have been running an errand that was quick and misplaced your keys on the seat, or you might have sat down to take a look at something and lost key replacement track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is crucial. This will create a paper record and prevent others from using your car without permission. It also stops you from being penalized.

If you’ve reported your keys as lost to the police and your homeowner’s insurance could be able to cover them as they’re personal property. However, it’s best to talk to your agent to ensure you’re covered prior to filing an claim.

Keep an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags, Tiles or the many other options available. This will save you the headache of replacing your car keys and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes you’ll lose your keys at the time you least think about it. You could be on an errand and forget to place them on the seat. Or, you might be leaving your car key lost after a long day at work and forget where you put keys.

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 tiny devices can be attached to your wallet or keyring and can be connected to an app on the phone. The app will ring or flash once you open it to aid you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow others to assist you in finding the keys if they are out of range.

Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to always put them in the same spot each time you arrive home. It doesn’t matter if place them in an table in the entryway or on a hook by the door. Making this an habit will help you locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

If you’ve lost key to car your vehicle keys or they’ve been stolen the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company immediately. You can be sure that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard key (which does not have chip) you can get a replacement at any hardware store or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and cheapest option.

It might be more difficult for vehicles that have smart keys and require an electronic fob. You will need to visit your local dealership to get a replacement key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200 depending on the model and make of your vehicle.

To prevent this from happening, keep an extra set of keys in a different place than your keys. It’s also an excellent idea to clean your house or office particularly in the areas where you tend to lose things.