Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how organized you are, there's a time when you lose your car keys. In the event of this happening, it's important to be aware of what to do.

You should contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, depending on the vehicle. These experts can create an appropriate replacement 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 trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that can happen to anyone regardless of how to replace lost car keys well organized you are.

The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). But, in reality things can take a darker turn. It is essential to stay calm and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.

It is also important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they're often found in strange places. Before taking drastic measures, it is a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. In order to do this, it's a good idea to carry a flashlight to help you find dark corners and drawers. You can also ask someone to help you search for you, as a second pair of eyes can be very beneficial.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking in the usual places, such as key hooks, search for them in pockets, bags, and jackets you wore or wore recently. If you've lost car keys cost your keys in a shop, ask other shoppers or employees if they noticed something out of the ordinary.

It might seem obvious to check your bags and pockets for the missing car keys However, it's essential to do so thoroughly. Clean your pockets, including the ones on purses and jackets. Examine every zippered area. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have fallen out of your bag.

You could also retrace your footsteps and search in places where the item isn't, like the fridge or freezer. Sometimes, items are lost when we go to them, but then slam them away and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've put in the hours and are now ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, order pizza and watch your favorite show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing.

While you're going through your steps take a look at areas that are overly cluttered such as tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothing items. You could also leave your keys in a busy space, like the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to do this, make sure you open the gas cap from outside your car because a thief could easily see you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys.

You can also hide your keys in a corner in the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to place them too tightly because you may accidentally crush them when you close the door.

4. Call the police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things simply because we're a little distracted. You could be on the run for a few minutes and you have put your keys on the seat, or you may need two free hands to grab a bag full of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to everyone.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose any item. This way, you can make a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly crucial if you find your keys lost keys to my car outside of your home, at the store, or in a public place.

Before you start, be sure to go back to your steps. Recreate the scene you saw when you last saw your keys in your head. It is 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 others from using it (which could result in additional costs such as new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea if you have a spare car key to duplicate it in case you lose it again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's common for people to forget where they've put their keys, especially when they're busy or distracted. There are a few simple things you can try to help.

Start by retracing the steps you've taken and searching in the places in which you think they could have been left. If you're still struggling to locate them, consider searching inside the car. Many people lose their keys hanging on the keychain or inside the visor, so it's worth taking a look.

Contact a locksmith to inquire whether they can locate your keys. They may be able to make you a new key or even change the locks on your home if needed. They also have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to provide proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. This includes your registration or title. Based on the circumstances you may have to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which can take several days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

You may lose your car keys at times and it could make your day miserable. You may have been running an easy errand and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you may have put them down to take a look at something and then lost track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is important. This will be recorded on paper and help prevent other people from using your car without your permission. This can also allow you to avoid being punished.

If you've reported your keys as lost keys to the police and your homeowner's insurance could be able to cover them as they're personal property. However, it's best to speak with your agent to make sure you're covered before you file a claim.

Consider keeping an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags, Tiles or any of the other options available. This will save you from having to deal with the stress of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Keys can be lost at any time. You might be running a quick errand and do not remember to put them on the seat or might be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work and can't remember where you put them.

There are ways to avoid this happening again. One of the best ways is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your keyring or wallet, and can connect with an app for your phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it to aid you in finding 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 reach.

You can also make sure you don't lose your keys by placing them in the same place every time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if you put them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on a hook near the door. Making this an 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 immediately if you lose your keys to your car, or if they are stolen. This way you can be assured that your claim will be dealt with correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a regular key (which doesn't have chip) you can purchase an alternative from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.

It could be more difficult for cars that have a smart key and require an electronic fob. You'll need to visit your local dealership to obtain a replacement key. This could cost you up to $200 depending on the model and make of your car.

To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key to keep it somewhere different from your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your office or home especially in areas where you are likely to lose things.