Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there's the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. When this happens, it's important to know what to do.
Depending on the vehicle you have the first call you should make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design a replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract your steps
There are few things that are more painful than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause a lot of anxiety and even lead to unwanted calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that could happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.
The best-case scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). However, in reality, things can take a more dire turn. It is crucial to stay calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.
Be aware that a lot of things aren't lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Before resorting to extreme measures it's a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. To do this it's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you to help you find dark areas and drawers. You could also ask someone to help you search, because a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you're still not finding your car keys after retracing your steps and checking at common locations like key hooks, look for them in bags, pockets, and jackets you wore or used recently. If you lost them in the store, talk to employees or customers to determine if they saw anything unusual.
Checking your pockets and bags for missing keys may appear obvious, but you should take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Check the zippered areas. It's also recommended to go through the trash and recycle bin in the event that keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something else.
It might be beneficial to go through your steps time and look around for areas where you know they're not like the freezer or refrigerator. A lot of times, things go missing when we go to them, but then take them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a tiring day and are eager to go back home, change into your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and watch your favorite show. You find that your car keys are missing.
While you're going through your steps take a look at areas that are overly cluttered such as tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothing items. It's also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a messy spot, such as in a door handle 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 choose to do this, ensure that you remove the gas cap outside your car as thieves could easily spot you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys.
You can also store your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be cautious not to place them too tightly, as you may accidentally crush them when you shut the door.
4. Call the Police
Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we are just a little bit distracted. You might be running a quick errand and have your keys on the seat or you might require two hands to carry a load of groceries. It happens to all of us.
If you lose something, it's crucial to contact the police immediately. This way, you can submit a claim and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your house, at the store, or at a location that is public.
Before you start make sure you follow your steps. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the last time you seen them. It's also a good idea to ask others in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help to ensure your car's security and prevent other people from using it (which could result in additional costs like replacing door locks and ignition). 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. Call an expert locksmith
People often forget where they placed their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are a few simple tips you can use to help.
Retrace your steps and looking for places you think you may have left them. If you're still struggling to find them, try searching inside the car. Many people lose their keys that hang from their keychains or the visor and it's worth having a quick look.
Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they have your keys. They might be able to cut you a key or change the locks if required. They also have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
When you do call locksmiths, be prepared to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. Based on the circumstances, you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which can take several days.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
There are instances when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a major downer on your day. It could be because you were running a quick errand and accidentally left them on the seat or maybe you set your key down to grab something and lost track of it.
Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is important. This will leave a trail on paper and will help prevent others from using your vehicle without permission. This will also help you avoid getting punished.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police the homeowner's insurance might be able to cover them as they're personal property. However, it's still best to talk to your agent to confirm that you're covered before you file an claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or any of the other options available. This will save you from going through the stress of a car key replacement and give you peace of mind knowing your keys are always at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
You can lose your keys at any moment. You might be running a quick errand, and forget to place them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your car after a long working day and not remember where you put keys.
Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the near future. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices are connected to your keyring or wallet and connect to an app for your phone. The app will flash or ring when you open it, to aid you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow others to assist you in finding the keys if they are out of reach.
You can also prevent losing your keys by placing them in the same spot every time you arrive home. If it's in the bowl on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, establishing an habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.
8. Get a New Key
If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing is to inform your insurance provider immediately. So you'll be able to rest assured that your claim will be handled correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you own a standard key (which does not have chip) you can simply get a replacement at any locksmith or hardware store. This is usually the quickest and least expensive alternative.
For modern vehicles with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it may be a bit more difficult. It is likely that you will need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain an entirely new key. This could cost you up to $200, based on the model and make of your car.
To avoid this, keep an extra 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 tend to lose things.