Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
Whatever way you are, there will come the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. It's crucial to be prepared for this situation.
You should contact a locksmith, or a dealership, based on the vehicle. These experts can create an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract your steps
There aren't many things that are more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your entire day, create anxiety and even trigger unsavory phonecalls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that could happen to anyone regardless of how organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality things tend to take a more dire turn. When you lose your keys, it's crucial to remain calm and retrace the steps.
It is important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they are often found in some very strange locations. So, before resorting to extreme measures it's best to retrace your steps and conduct a thorough search. To accomplish this, it's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you to aid you in searching dark corners and drawers. You could also invite a family or friend member to help you search, as another set of eyes is often helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you haven't found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking in the usual places, such as key hooks, look for them in pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or used recently. If you've lost your keys in a shop, ask other shoppers or employees if they noticed something out of the ordinary.
It may appear obvious to check your pockets and bags for keys to your car that are missing however, it's crucial to do so thoroughly. Take out all pockets you carry, including those in jackets and purses and check every zippered space. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have fallen out of your bag.
It might be beneficial to go back time and look around for areas where you know they're not like the fridge or freezer. Sometimes, items disappear when we go to them, but then take them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a tough day and just want to get home, put on your cozy sweats, eat pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You find that your car keys are missing.
While you're walking around take a look at areas that are overly cluttered like tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. It's also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a messy spot like on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've thoroughly checked those places.
Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you decide to do this, make sure you are able to access the gas cap from outside your vehicle as a thief could easily see you crouched under your car to hide your keys.
You could also consider hiding your keys in a nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the door.
4. Call the Police
It is easy to lose things when we are distracted. You could be on the run for a few minutes and you have put your keys on the seat or you might just require two hands free to grab a bag full of groceries. It happens to every person.
It is important to contact the police immediately if you have lost anything. This way, you will be able to file a report and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This is essential if you lose your keys outside your home, at the store, or anywhere else in public.
Before you start make sure you follow your steps. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the time you last seen them. It's also a good idea to ask others in the vicinity whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your vehicle secure and prevent others from using it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new locks for doors and ignition). It is a good idea, in the event that you have a spare car key, to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.
5. Contact an expert locksmith
It's normal for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, especially when they're busy or distracted. There are a few simple things you can try to aid.
Begin by retracing your steps and looking for places you think you might have left them. If you're still struggling to find them, try searching inside the car. Many people have keys that are hanging from their keychains or the visor and it's worth taking a look.
Contact a locksmith to inquire whether they can locate your keys. They may be able cut you a new key or even change your locks if necessary. They have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. This includes your vehicle registration or title. Depending on the situation, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership, which can take a number of days.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
There are instances when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a major damper on your day. It could be because you were running a quick run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you put your keys down for a moment to grab something, but lost track of it.
Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is vital. This will be recorded on paper and will stop other people from using your vehicle without permission. It also stops you from being fined.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might cover them since they're considered personal property. It's best to call your agent and confirm that you are insured prior to filing a claim.
Think about buying an Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid the stress of having to replace your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Keys can be lost at any time. You might be running an errand and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your car after a long workday and not remember where you placed them.
There are ways to prevent this happening again. One of the best is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. lost keys for car no spare g28carkeys can be attached to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will ring or flash when you open it, to assist you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow others to help you locate them in case your keys aren't in reach.
You can also prevent losing your keys by placing them in the same place every time you come home. If it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or hung on a hook near the door, making an habit of this will make it easier to find them in the future.
8. Get a New Key
Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing is to inform your insurance company immediately. You can be sure that your claim will be handled properly if anything happens to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a standard key (which doesn't have chips) you can purchase an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and most affordable alternative.
For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it may be a bit more difficult. It is likely that you will need visit your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. This can cost you up to $200 depending on the model and make of your vehicle.
To avoid this, you should keep a spare set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your office or home, especially the place where you are likely to lose things.