Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how organized you are, there's an occasion when you'll lose your car keys. When this happens it's crucial to be prepared.

It is recommended to contact an auto locksmith or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. They can design a replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, lost my car Key cause anxiety, and even cause you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.

The best-case scenario would be that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). However, in reality, things can take a darker turn. If you lose your keys, it is important to be calm and not panic. You can then retrace the steps.

Keep in mind that many things don't go unnoticed forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. So, before taking extreme measures it's best to retrace your steps and thoroughly search. To accomplish this it's recommended to bring a flashlight to aid you in searching dark areas and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to help you search, as another set of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you can't find your keys after retracing the steps and examining places you've used like key hooks, look inside pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently wore or used. If you've lost your keys in a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they've noticed something different.

It may appear obvious to check your own pockets and bags for keys to your car that are missing, but it's important to do so thoroughly. Take out all pockets you have on you such as those in purses and jackets and look around every zippered area. You should also look in the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have fallen out of your bag.

You can also retrace your footsteps and search in places you know the item isn't in, like the fridge or freezer. Many items get 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 you're eager to get back home, change into your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys have disappeared.

While you're going through your steps, check overly cluttered spaces like tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothes. You can also put your keys in a busy area, such as the door handle or in the refrigerator.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you choose to do this ensure that you can open the gas cap on your car from the 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 nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don't place them too tightly or you'll accidentally smash them when you close the car door.

4. Contact the police

We can lose things when we're distracted. You may be running a quick errand and you have put your keys on the seat, or you may need two free hands to grab a bag full of food items. Whatever the reason it occurs to everyone.

When you lose something, it is important to call the police right away. You can then submit a police report in order to help protect your car from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your house, at the store, or somewhere else public.

Make sure you retrace every step before you begin. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the last time you seen them. It is also an excellent idea to ask other people in the area if they have seen your car keys. This will help ensure your car's security and prevent others from using it (which could lead to additional costs like replacing ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key, it's always a good idea to make copies of it in the event that this occurs again.

5. Contact a Locksmith

It's normal for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they are distracted or in a hurry. There are a few simple things you can try to help.

Start by retracing your steps and looking for areas you think you might have left them. If you're still unable to find them, try checking in the car itself. Many people have keys that are hanging from their keychains or the visor and it's worth having a quick look.

Call a locksmith and ask if they can find your keys. They may be able cut keys or replace your locks, if necessary. They also have the equipment 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's registration or title. It could take several days for a dealer to send you a new key, dependent on the circumstances.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are instances that you'll lose your car keys, and it can put a massive impact on your day. You may have been running a quick errand when you accidentally left your keys on the seat, or you might have put them down to grab something for a moment and lost car key near me track.

Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is crucial. This creates a paper trail and can to stop people from using your vehicle without permission. This also helps you avoid being punished.

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

Consider buying an Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you the headache of replacing your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you can lose your keys at the time you least would. You could be on the run and you forget to place them on the seat or may be getting out of your car after an extended day at work and can't remember where you put them.

There are ways to avoid this from happening again. One of the best ways is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be connected to a wallet or keyring and can connect to an app on your smartphone. Once you open the app it will ring or flash to help locate your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions, so that others can assist you to locate them if you are out of range.

Another way to prevent losing your keys is to put them in the same spot each time you return home. It doesn't matter if it's on the table in your entryway or on a hanger near the door, making an habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

Whether you've Lost My Car Key your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing is to inform your insurance provider immediately. So, you can rest assured that your claim will be handled in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you already have a standard (non-chip) key you can purchase an additional one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and cheapest alternative.

It could be more difficult for vehicles equipped with smart keys and require an electronic fob. You'll likely need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership to get an entirely new key. This could cost you up to $200 based on the make and model of your car.

To avoid this, keep an extra set of keys in a different place than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you can't find things.