Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You will lose your keys at some point, no matter how well organized you are. It is important to be prepared for this eventuality.

You should call a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on the vehicle. They can design a replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract your Steps

There aren't many things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even cause you to receive unpleasant phone calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that could happen to anyone, regardless of how organized you are.

The best case scenario is for them to turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). In reality it is possible for the situation to be much more serious. It is crucial to stay calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

Be aware that a lot of things don't go unnoticed forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it's an ideal idea to go back and trace your steps. In order to do this, it's a good idea to carry a flashlight to help you search in dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend to help you search for you, because a second pair of eyes can be very helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you haven't found 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 wore or wore recently. If you lost keys of car your keys in a shop and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they've noticed something different.

Examining your bags and pockets for keys missing may seem like common sense, but you should be thorough. Clean out all pockets that you carry around including those in jackets and purses, and make sure to look around every zippered area. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have disappeared from your bag.

It may be helpful to retrace your steps once again and look for places you are sure they aren't, such as the fridge or freezer. Many times, items disappear when we reach for them but then slam them away and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a long day and you're eager to get home, put on your comfy sweats, eat pizza, and watch your favorite show. But, you discover that your car keys are missing.

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

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to hide your keys there, make sure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, a thief may be able to see you hiding your keys under your car.

You can also hide your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be cautious not to place them too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the door.

4. Contact the police

We are prone to lose things when we're distracted. You may be doing a quick errand, and you've left your keys on the car seat. Perhaps you require two hands to grab the food items. It happens to everyone.

When you lose something, it is important to contact the police immediately. This way, you will be able to file a report and help to keep your car safe from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost car key with no spare outside of your home or at the store or somewhere else public.

Make sure you retrace all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced the time you last saw your keys in your mind. It is also recommended to inquire of others in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help to keep your car safe and prevent others from using it (which could lead to additional costs such as new ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key, it is always a good idea to make an exact copy of it in case something similar happens to you again.

5. Contact a locksmith

People often forget where they put their keys, especially when they're stressed or distracted. There are several actions you can take to help.

Retrace the steps you took and searching in the places where you think they might be. If you're still unable to locate them, try looking inside the car. Many people lose their keys hanging from their keychains or the visor It's a good idea to take having a quick look.

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

If you do call locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of the ownership of your vehicle. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on the 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

You may lose your keys to your car at times and it can make your day miserable. You could have been on an easy errand and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you could have sat down to get something to grab for [Redirect-302] a second and lost car key with no spare track.

It is important to report lost keys as soon as you can to the police. This will create a paper trail and can prevent people from using your vehicle without your permission. This also helps you avoid getting penalized.

Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if you've reported them as lost auto key replacement to the local police. They are considered personal property. However, it's still best to speak with your agent to confirm that you're covered prior to filing an claim.

Think about purchasing a Bluetooth tracking device, such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will eliminate the headache of replacing your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any moment. You could be out on a quick errand, and you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long day at work and not remember the place you put them.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the future. The best method to prevent 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 phone. The app will ring or flash once you open it to help you locate your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions so that others can assist you to locate them if you are not in range.

You can also prevent losing your keys by always putting them in the same spot each time you get home. If it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or on a hanger near the door, keeping a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance provider immediately. That way you can be at ease knowing that your claim will be dealt with properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key, you can easily get an additional one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the fastest and cheapest solution.

For more modern cars with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a bit more challenging. You'll need go to your local dealer to purchase a new key. This could cost you up to $200 depending on the model and make of your vehicle.

To avoid this, you should keep a spare set of keys somewhere else than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you're likely to lose things.