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Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
Keys will be lost at some point, no matter how well organized you are. It's crucial to be prepared for this scenario.
It is recommended to contact an auto locksmith or a dealership, based on the vehicle. They can design an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.
1. Retract your Steps
There aren't many things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are a meticulously organized person or not, losing your keys can occur to anyone.
The best-case scenario would be that they show up exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). But, in reality, things often take a much more dire turn. When you lose your keys, it's crucial to remain calm and retrace the steps.
Be aware that a lot of things don't go unnoticed forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. So, before taking extreme measures it's a good idea to go back and conduct a thorough search. To accomplish this it's a good idea to carry a flashlight to help you search in dark corners and drawers. You could also invite a family or friend member to search with you for a second pair of eyes can be beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you're still not finding your car keys after going back to your steps and looking in the usual places, such as key hooks, look for them in pockets, bags and jackets you've worn or wore recently. If you lost your keys in a shop, ask other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something different.
Examining your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might seem like common sense but it is important to be thorough. Clean out all pockets that you carry around, including purses and jackets and be sure to look around every zippered area. You should also check the recycling and trash bins to see if your keys have fallen out of your bag.
It could be beneficial to go through your steps again and look for places you know they're not, such as the freezer or refrigerator. Sometimes, items disappear when we try to find them but knock them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've been working hard all day and are now ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, eat pizza and on your favorite TV show. You realize that your car keys are missing.
While you're walking around, check overly cluttered spaces such as tabletops and desks as well as the pockets of your clothes. You can also put your keys in a crowded area, such as in the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.
Another popular hiding place is under the car. However, if you do this make sure you are able to access the gas cap from outside your vehicle as thieves could easily spot you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.
You can also put your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be careful not to put them too tightly as they could be crushed when you close the door.
4. Call the Police
Sometimes, we lose things because we are just a little bit distracted. You could be running an errand that is quick, and you've forgotten your keys in the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to everyone.
If you have lost something, it's crucial to call the police right away. You can then make a police report to protect your vehicle from theft. This is crucial in the event that you have lost your keys outside your home, in the shop or any other place in public.
Before you start, be sure to follow your steps. Recreate the scene that you experienced the last time you saw your keys in your head. It is also recommended to inquire of other people in the area whether they have seen your car keys. This will keep your car safe and deter others from stealing it. (This could result in costs like new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key, it is always a good idea to make copies of it in case this occurs again.
5. Call a Locksmith
It's not uncommon for people to forget where they put their keys, particularly when they're distracted or in a hurry. There are a few basic things you can try to assist.
Retrace the steps you've already taken and searching for the areas in which you think they could have been left. If you still can't find them, look in the car. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys under the visor or on the keychain.
Contact a locksmith and inquire if they can find your keys. They might be able to cut you a new key or even alter the locks on your home if needed. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
If you do contact a locksmith, be prepared to show proof of ownership for your vehicle. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on your situation, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership which can take a number of days.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
It is possible to lose your car keys at times and it could ruin your day. You could have been on an errand that was quick and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you may have put them down to take a look at something and lost track.
Notifying a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is crucial. This will result in a paper record and help prevent other people from using your car without your permission. This can also allow you to avoid being penalized.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police, your homeowner's insurance may be able to take them in as personal property. It's best to contact your agent to confirm that you're covered before making a claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags, Tiles or the numerous other options available. This will help you avoid the hassle of having to replace your car keys, and ensure that you always have your keys in reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least would. You might be on the run and do not remember to put them on the seat, or you might be getting out of your car after a long day at work and can't remember where you put them.
There are ways to prevent this from happening again. The best method for doing this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be attached to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your smartphone. When you open the app, it will ring or flash to assist you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other users to assist you in locating them in case your keys aren't in reach.
You can also avoid losing your keys by putting them in the same place each time you get home. If it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or on a hanger near the door, making a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.
8. Get a New Key
It's important to notify your insurance company right away if you lose your keys to your car or if they're stolen. You can be certain that your claim will be taken care of if something happens to the car in the future.
If you have a regular key (which doesn't have chips) you can simply get an replacement from any locksmith or hardware store. This is usually the quickest and cheapest alternative.
For modern vehicles with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it may be a little more difficult. You'll need to visit your local dealer to purchase a new key. Based on the model and make 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. It's also an excellent idea to clean your house or office particularly in the areas that you tend to drop things.