Ask Me Anything 10 Responses To Your Questions About Lost My Car Keys
Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
You'll lose your keys at some point, regardless of how well organized you are. It is important to be prepared for this eventuality.
Depending on the vehicle you have the first call you need to make is an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There aren't many things that are more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety and even cause you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. It doesn't matter if are a meticulously organized person or not the loss of your keys can happen to anyone.
The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). However, in reality, things often take a much more dire direction. If you lose your keys, it's essential to remain calm and follow the steps.
It is also important to remember that most things aren't lost forever, and they're often found in some very unusual places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it's an ideal idea to retrace and search your steps. Bring a flashlight with you to search dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to join you in your search, as another set of eyes can be beneficial.
2. Check car keys lost
If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and examining common areas like key hooks look inside pockets, bags and jackets you've recently worn or used. If you lost them in the store, talk to employees or customers to see if they noticed anything out of the ordinary.
It may seem obvious to look in your bags and pockets for your missing car keys, but it's important to do so thoroughly. Take out all pockets you have on you such as purses and jackets, and make sure to look around every zippered area. It's also a good idea to comb through the recycling and trash bins in case your keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something other.
You can also retrace your steps and look in places where the item is not, such as the freezer or fridge. Many items get lost when we search for something, but knock it off and then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a long day and just want to go back home, change into your cozy sweats, eat pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys are missing.
While you're walking around, check overly cluttered spaces like desks and tabletops and also the pockets of your clothing items. You may also leave your keys in a busy area, such as in the door handle or refrigerator.
Under the car is another popular hiding spot. However, if you do this make sure you open the gas cap from outside your vehicle as a thief could easily see you crouched under your car to hide your keys.
You can also hide your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Be careful not to put them too tightly because you could accidentally smash them when you close the door.
4. Call the police
Sometimes, we forget things simply because we're a little distracted. You might be running a quick errand and put your keys on the seat, or you might need two free hands to grab a bag full of food items. It happens to every person.
It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose anything. This way, you will be able to submit a claim and help to keep your car safe from thieves. This is essential if you lose your keys outside your home, in the shop, or anywhere else in public.
Make sure you retrace every step before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced the last time you glimpsed your keys in your mind. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is another excellent idea. This will help keep your vehicle secure and prevent 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 recommended to create a copy of it in the event that this occurs again.
5. Contact a Locksmith
It's normal for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, especially when they are busy or distracted. There are, however, a few actions you can take to help.
Retrace your steps and searching the places you think you may have left them. If you're still struggling to locate them, try searching inside the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave 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 keys for you or alter your locks, if needed. They also have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
When you do call a locksmith, make sure to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. You can use your car's registration or title. Based on the circumstances, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership, which can take a number of days.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
It is possible to lose your car keys at times and it could cause you to lose your day. It might be that you were running a quick errand and accidentally left keys on the floor or perhaps you put your key down for a moment to grab something and lost track of it.
Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as quickly as you can is vital. This will be recorded on paper and will stop other people from using your car without permission. This will also allow you to avoid being penalized.
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 is recommended to contact your agent to confirm that you are covered prior to making an insurance claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or any of the other options available. This will help you avoid going through the hassle of a car keys replacement and give you peace of mind knowing that your keys are always at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes you can lose your keys when you least would. You could be on an errand and you forget to put them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your vehicle after a long workday and forget where you placed the keys.
There are ways to prevent this happening again. The best method to prevent this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your phone. Once you open the app, it will ring or flash to assist you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other people to assist you in locating them if your keys are out of range.
You can also make sure you don't lose your keys by putting them in the same spot every time you arrive home. Whether it's on your entry table or hung on a hook near the door, keeping the habit will make it easier to find them in the future.
8. Get a New Key
It's important to notify your insurance company right away when you lose your keys to your car or if they're stolen. So you can be sure that your claim will be handled correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a regular key (which does not have chips) you can simply get an alternative from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.
For cars that are more modern and have an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it may be a bit more challenging. You will likely have visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. This could cost you up to $200, based 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 a good idea to declutter your office or home, especially the place where you tend to lose things.