"The Ultimate Cheat Sheet On Lost My Car Keys

Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You will lose your keys at some point, no matter how well organized you are. In the event of this happening it's crucial to know what to do.

Depending on your vehicle the first call you must make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design keys for replacement 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, cause anxiety and even trigger unsavory phonecalls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are an organized person or not losing your keys could happen to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). In reality, the situation can often be more grave. It is essential to remain calm and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.

Remember that many things don't go unnoticed forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it is an ideal idea to go back and trace your steps. Bring a flashlight to search dark corners and drawers. You can also ask someone to help you search for items, because a second pair of eyes can be very helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you're still not finding your car keys after retracing your steps and checking in common places like key hooks, look for them inside of pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you've lost them at the store, ask employees or customers to see if they have noticed something unusual.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem like common sense but it is important to be thorough. Empty your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Examine every zippered area. Also, check the recycling and trash bins to see if any of your keys have disappeared from your bag.

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

3. Check the Outside

You've worked hard all day and are now ready to head home put on your comfy sweats, order pizza and binge watch your favorite show. But, you discover that your car keys have disappeared.

While you're retracing your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered like desks and tabletops as well as the pockets of your clothes. You may also leave your keys in a crowded space, like the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.

Under the car is another popular hiding spot. If you choose to do this, make sure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. If not, a burglar might be able see you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Just be careful that you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally crush them when you shut the door of your car.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we lose things simply because we're a little distracted. You might be running an easy errand and you've left your keys in the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to pick up an empty bag of food items. It happens to everyone.

When you lose something, it's important to contact the police immediately. You can then submit a police report in order to protect your car lost key from theft. This is particularly crucial if you find your keys lost outside your home at the grocery store, or somewhere else public.

Before you do this make sure you retrace your steps. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from when you last observed them. Asking people around you whether they've seen your keys is also a good idea. This will help to ensure your car's security and stop others from using it (which could lead to additional costs like replacing ignition and door locks). It is a good idea, should you have a spare car key, to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.

5. Call a locksmith

People often forget where they placed their keys, especially when they're distracted or in a rush. Luckily, there are some actions you can take to assist.

Retrace the steps you've already taken and then searching for the locations where you think they might be. If you're still struggling to locate them, try looking inside the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

Contact a locksmith and inquire if they can find your keys. They may be able cut you a key or cost of replacing lost car keys change the locks if required. They also have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. You may have to wait for several days for a dealership to send you a new key, dependent on the circumstances.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are times that you'll lose your car keys and it can put a massive downer on your day. It could be because you were running an run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you set your key down for a second to grab something but lost the track of it.

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

Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. But, it's advisable to talk to your agent to ensure you're covered prior to filing a claim.

You should consider investing in an Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you the stress of having to replace your car keys and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you can lose your keys when you least expect it. You could be on an urgent errand, cost of replacing lost car keys only to do not remember to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long day at work and not remember where you placed them.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. The best method for doing this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be connected to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it, to help you locate your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions, so that others can assist you to find them if they are lost.

Another way to prevent losing your keys is to keep them in the same place each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if you place them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on a hook by the door. Making this routine a habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

It is essential to inform your insurance company right away if you lose your keys to your car, or if they are stolen. So you'll be able to rest assured that your claim will be handled properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard (non-chip) key, you can easily get an additional one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and least expensive solution.

For modern vehicles with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a bit more difficult. You'll need to visit your local dealership to obtain a replacement key. This can cost of Replacing lost car Keys you up to $200 based on the make and model of your vehicle.

To prevent this from happening, keep a spare set of keys in a different place than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a great idea, especially in the areas where you're likely to lose things.