Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there comes a time when you lose your car keys. It's important to be prepared for this situation.
It is recommended to contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on the vehicle. They can design an alternative key for your vehicle.
1. Retract your steps
There are few things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety and even cause you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that happens to everyone, regardless of how organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). However, in reality, things tend to take a darker direction. When you lose your keys, it is crucial to remain calm and follow the steps.
It is also important to remember that the majority of things don't go missing for ever, and are often found in unusual places. So, before taking extreme measures it's a good idea to revisit your steps and conduct a thorough search. Bring a flashlight with you to look through dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend to assist you for you, because a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you can't find your keys after retracing steps and checking common places like key hooks, look inside pockets, bags and jackets you've recently were wearing or used. If you've lost them at the store, talk to other customers or workers to determine if they saw anything unusual.
Examining your bags and pockets for keys missing may appear obvious however, you must do it thoroughly. Clean your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Examine the zippered areas. It's also an excellent idea to go through the recycling and trash bin in case your keys got lost in your bag and got crushed by something else.
It may be helpful to go through your steps time and look around for areas where you know they aren't like the fridge or freezer. A lot of times, things are lost when we go to them, but knock them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a tiring day and you're eager to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and binge-watch your favorite TV show. But, you discover that your car keys are missing.
While you're going through your steps, check overly cluttered spaces such as tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. It's also not uncommon to leave keys in a messy spot such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've thoroughly checked those places.
Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to do this, make sure you are able to open the gas cap from outside your car as thieves could easily spot you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys.
You might also try hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Make sure you don't place 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 could be running an easy errand and you have left your keys on the car seat. Or maybe lost keys to car g28carkeys.co.uk need two hands to pick up an empty bag of food items. Whatever the reason, it occurs to all.
It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose any item. You can then submit a police report in order to help protect your car from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your house at the grocery store, or in a public place.
Make sure to go through every step before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced the time you last saw your keys in your head. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is another great idea. This will keep your car safe and stop other people from using it. (This could result in additional costs, such as the purchase of new locks for doors and ignition). If you have a spare key it is always a good idea to make a copy of it in the event that this occurs again.
5. Contact an expert locksmith
It's common for people to forget where they've put their keys, especially when they are busy or distracted. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help.
Start by retracing the steps you've already taken and searching for the areas in which you think they could be. If you're unable to locate them, try looking inside the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Lastly, call locksmiths to see if they are able to help you find your lost keys. They might be able to cut keys for you or alter the locks if required. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
If you do call a locksmith, be prepared to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. This includes your registration or title. Depending on the situation, you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which could take a few days.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
There are times that you'll lose your car keys and it can put a major damper on your day. You could have been on a quick errand when you accidentally left your keys on the seat, or you might have sat down to get something to grab for a second and then lost track.
It is important to report lost keys as soon as you can to the police. This will create a paper trail and will help to stop others from using your vehicle without permission. This will also allow you to avoid being penalized.
Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. However, it's best to talk to your agent to make sure you're covered before filing an claim.
You should consider investing in an Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will eliminate the hassle of having to replace your car keys, and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes, you'll lose your keys at the time you least think about it. You could be on the run and you forget to place them on the seat or you 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 happening again. One of the best options is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your keyring or wallet and connect to an app for your phone. When you launch the app it will sound or flash to assist you find your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions so that other users can help you find them if they are lost.
You can also prevent losing your keys by putting them in the same spot every time you arrive home. If it's on your entry table or on a hook near the door, establishing a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.
8. Get a Replacement Key
If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company right away. That way you can be sure that your claim will be handled in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you own a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can get a replacement at any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.
It might be more difficult for vehicles that have an electronic key and an electronic fob. It is likely that you will need visit your local dealer and present proof of ownership to get an entirely new key. Depending on the model and make of your car, this could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.
To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys in a different location than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your office or home particularly in the areas where you are likely to lose things.