lost keys car My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You'll lose your keys at some point, regardless of how well organized you are. If this happens, it's important to be aware of what to do.

You should contact an auto locksmith or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. They can design an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.

1. Retract your steps

There are few things that are more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, create lots of stress and even trigger unwanted phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if are an organized person or not losing your keys could happen to anyone.

The best-case scenario would be that they appear exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). But, in reality things can take a more dire turn. If you lose your keys, it's crucial to be calm and not panic. You can then retrace the steps.

Keep in mind that many things aren't lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures it's a good idea to go back and thoroughly search. Bring a flashlight to search for dark corners and drawers. You can also ask someone to assist you for items, as 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 in the usual places, such as key hooks, search for them inside of pockets, bags and jackets you've worn or used recently. If you've lost your keys in a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they noticed something different.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might seem obvious, but you should do it thoroughly. Take out all pockets that you carry around such as purses and jackets and check every zippered space. It's also a good idea to comb through the recycling and trash bins in the event that your keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something else.

You can also retrace your steps and search places where you know it is not, such as the fridge or freezer. A lot of times, things go missing when we reach for them but then take them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a tiring day and you're eager to go home, change into your comfy sweats, eat pizza, and binge-watch your favorite TV show. You find that your car keys are missing.

While you're going through your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered like desks and tabletops as well as the pockets of your clothes. You can also put your keys in a crowded area, such as the door handle or refrigerator.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. However, if you do this make sure you remove the gas cap outside your car because thieves could easily spot you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys.

You can also hide your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Just be careful that you don't place them too tight as you might accidentally crush them as you shut the car door.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we lose things because we're a little bit distracted. You could be on the run for a few minutes and have your keys on the seat or you may need two free hands to grab a bag full of food items. It happens to all of us.

When you lose something, it's crucial to call the police right away. This way, you will be able to make a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your home at the grocery store, or in a public place.

Make sure you retrace every step before you begin. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the last time you observed them. It's also a good idea to ask others in the vicinity if they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car safe and also stop other people from using it (which may result in extra costs such as new ignition and door locks). It is a good idea, in the event that you have a spare car key to make a duplicate in the event that you lose it again.

5. Contact for a locksmith

It's not uncommon for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, especially when they're busy or distracted. There are, however, a few actions you can take to assist.

Start by retracing the steps you've taken and searching in the places where you think they might have been left. If you are still unable to locate them, check the car. Many people lose their keys that hang from their keychains or the visor It's a good idea to take taking a look.

Last but not least, contact locksmiths to see if they are able to assist you in finding the keys you lost. They might be able to cut you a key or change your locks, if needed. They have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do call locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of ownership of your vehicle. 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, depending on your situation.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

You might lose your keys to your car at times and it could ruin your day. You might have been running a quick errand when you misplaced your keys on the seat, or you could have sat down to take a look at something and then lost track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will leave a trail on paper and helps keep other people from using your vehicle without permission. This can also help you avoid getting fined.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police and your homeowner's insurance could be able to cover them as they're personal property. But, it's advisable to talk to your agent to make sure you're covered before filing an insurance claim.

You should consider purchasing the purchase of a Bluetooth tracking device, such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you from going through the hassle of a car key replacement lost car keys and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least would. You might be running a quick errand and you forget to place them on the seat or you might 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 ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your keyring or wallet and can be connected to an app on the phone. The app will flash or ring once you open it to aid you in finding your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow others can assist you to locate them if you are lost my car key.

You can also avoid losing your keys by placing them in the same place each time you get home. Whether it's in the bowl on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, making an habit of this will make it easier to find 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 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 doesn't have chips) you can purchase an replacement lost car keys from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and least expensive solution.

For cars that are more modern and have an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a bit more challenging. You'll need to visit your local dealership to purchase a new key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200 depending on the model and make of your car.

To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys in a different place than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you lose things.