Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how well-organized you are, there's an occasion when you'll lose your car keys. In the event of this happening it's crucial to know what to do.
Depending on your vehicle the first call you need to make is an auto locksmith or dealership. They can design a replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There are few things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause a lot of anxiety and even trigger unpleasant calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not, losing your keys can occur to anyone.
The best-case scenario would be that they show up exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). But, in reality things tend to take a darker direction. It is crucial to remain calm and return to your path if you lose your keys.
It is important to keep in mind that most things aren't lost forever, and they are often found in odd locations. Before resorting to extreme measures it is a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. Bring a flashlight to look through dark corners and drawers. You can also invite a family or friend member to help you search to help you, as a second set of eyes can be helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you can't find your keys after retracing your steps and examining common areas like key hooks examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently wore or used. If you lost them in the store, ask other customers or workers to see if they have noticed something unusual.
Checking your pockets and bags for missing keys may seem like common sense however, you must be thorough. Take out all pockets you carry, including purses and jackets and look around every zippered area. Also, check the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have fallen out of your bag.
just click the next article might be beneficial to go through your steps time and look around for areas where you know they aren't, such as the refrigerator or freezer. Many times, items disappear when we go to them, but then slam them away and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a tough day and just want to go home, put on your cozy sweats, eat pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You realize that your keys to your car are missing.
Check pockets and desks that are cluttered. You could also leave your keys in a busy area, such as in the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.
Another popular hiding place is under the car. If you choose to hide your keys under the car, make sure that you can open the gas cap on your car from the outside. If not, a burglar may be able to see the keys you have hidden under your car.
You could also consider hiding your keys in a small nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to put them too tightly as you may accidentally crush them when you close the door.
4. Call the Police
It is easy to lose things when we are distracted. You might be running a quick errand, and you've forgotten your keys on the seat. Or maybe you need two hands to carry an empty bag of food items. Whatever the reason it occurs to every person.
It is important to contact the police immediately if you lose anything. You can then submit a police report in order to protect your car from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside your home at the grocery store, or somewhere else public.
Before you start ensure that you go back to your steps. Recreate the scene you saw the time you last looked at your keys in your head. It's also an excellent idea to ask others in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help to keep your car secure and stop other people from using it (which could result in additional expenses like new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key it's recommended to create an exact copy of it in case this occurs again.
5. Contact 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 easy ways to help.
Begin by retracing your steps, and then searching for areas you think you might have abandoned them. If you're still struggling to locate them, consider checking in the car itself. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys under the visor or on the keychain.
Lastly, call locksmiths to see if they can help you find the keys you lost. They may be able to make you a new key or even alter your locks if required. They have the tools and expertise 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 do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. You might have to wait for several days for a dealership to send you a replacement key dependent on the circumstances.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
There are instances that you'll lose your car keys, and it can put a major damper on your day. It could be because you were running a quick run and forgot to put them on the seat or maybe you put your key down for a second to grab something and lost track of it.
It's important to report lost keys immediately to the police. This will be recorded on paper and help prevent other people from using your vehicle without your permission. This can also allow you to avoid being penalized.
The homeowner's insurance policy could cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you're covered prior to making an insurance claim.
Think about purchasing an Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will eliminate the hassle of having to replace your car keys, and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Sometimes, you'll lose your keys at the time you least think about it. You could be out for a quick errand and you forget to place them on the seat, or you may be getting out of your car after an extended day at work, and don't remember where you put them.
There are ways to prevent this happening again. The best method for doing this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will blink or ring when you open it, to assist you in finding your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions to allow other users can help you locate them if you are lost.
Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always place them in the same place each time you arrive home. Whether it's in the bowl on your entry table or hung on a hook near the door, establishing a habit of this will make it easier to find them in the future.
8. Get a Replacement Key
Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance company right away. You can be sure that your claim will get handled properly if anything happens to the car in the future.
If you have a regular key (which does not have a chip) you can purchase an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and least expensive option.
For cars that are more modern and have an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a bit more difficult. You'll likely need go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain an entirely new key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200, based on the make and model of your car.
To avoid this, keep an extra set of keys in a different location than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your office or home, especially the place that you tend to drop things.