Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how well-organized you are, there's a time when you lose your car keys. It is important to be prepared for this scenario.

Depending on the vehicle you have the first phone call you need to make is a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can make an alternative key that will fit 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 entire day, cause anxiety and even trigger unwanted phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are an organized person or not, losing your keys can occur to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). In reality the situation could be much more serious. It is important to stay calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

Be aware that a lot of things are not lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures it's a good idea to revisit your steps and search thoroughly. To accomplish this it's recommended to carry a flashlight to help you search in dark areas and drawers. You can also ask a friend to help you search, as a second pair of eyes can be very beneficial.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after going back to your steps and looking at common locations like key hooks, look for them inside of pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you've lost my only car key them in the store, talk to employees or customers to see if they have noticed anything out of the ordinary.

It might seem obvious to look in your pockets and bags for your missing car keys, but it's important to do it thoroughly. Take out all pockets you have on you including purses and jackets and be sure to look around every zippered area. Also, check the trash and recycling bins to see if any of your keys have disappeared from your bag.

It could be beneficial to retrace your steps once again and search places where you are sure they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many items get lost when we look for something but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a long day and you're eager to go back home, change into your comfortable sweats, have some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. But, you discover that the keys to your car have disappeared.

Check pockets and desks that are filled with. You can also put your keys in a crowded space, like the door handle or refrigerator.

Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. If you decide to choose to do this, ensure that you can remove the gas cap outside your car because thieves can easily spot you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seat. Make sure you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally crush them as you shut the car door.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we lose things simply because we're a little distracted. You may be doing a quick errand, and you have left your keys in the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to pick up a bag of groceries. Whatever the reason it happens to everyone.

If you have lost something, it's important to call the police right immediately. You can then make a police report to protect your vehicle from theft. This is important when you have lost car key near me your keys outside your home, in the shop, or anywhere else in public.

Before you do this, be sure to retrace your steps. Recreate the scene you saw when you last glimpsed your keys in your head. It's also a good idea to ask others in the vicinity whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from stealing it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new ignition locks and door locks). It is a good idea should you have a spare car key, to make a duplicate in the event that you lose it again.

5. Contact a Locksmith

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

Start by retracing the steps you've already taken and searching for the areas in which you think they could have been left. If you're still not able to locate them, check the car. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys under the visor or on the keychain.

Finally, contact a locksmith to find out if they can help you find your keys that have disappeared. They may be able cut you a key or change your locks, if necessary. They have the tools and know-how to replace lost car keys to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

If you do contact a locksmith, make sure to provide proof of 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 could take a few days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

There are instances when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a huge damper on your day. It could be because you were running an run and forgot to put them on the seat or maybe you set your key down for a moment to grab something but lost the track of it.

Reporting a stolen or i lost the keys to my car key to the police as soon as you can is vital. This creates a paper trail and will help keep other people from using your vehicle without permission. It also stops you from getting punished.

Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. But, it's advisable to speak with your agent to confirm that you're covered before you file an insurance claim.

Think about purchasing the purchase of a Bluetooth tracking device like Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will prevent you from having to deal with the hassle of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

You can lose your keys at any moment. You could be on an errand and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car keys lost after a long day at work and forget the place you put them.

There are ways to prevent this happening again. The best method for doing this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be connected to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will flash or ring when you open it to help you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other users to help you locate them in case your keys are not in range.

Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to always put them in the same place each time you arrive home. If it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or hung on a hook near the door, establishing a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

It's important to notify your insurance company right away if you lose your car keys, or if they are stolen. So you can be sure that your claim will be dealt with properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard key (which does not contain chip) you can simply get an replacement from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.

For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it might be a little more difficult. You'll likely need visit your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain an entirely new key. Based on the make and model of your vehicle, this could cost upwards of $200.

To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys in a different place than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a great idea, especially in areas where you can't find things.