Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
Keys will be lost at some point, no matter how well organized you are. It is important to be prepared for this eventuality.
Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you must make is to a locksmith or a dealership. They can design a replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract your Steps
There aren't many things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can make your day miserable, cause an anxiety-filled day and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if are an organized person or not losing your keys could happen to anyone.
The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). However, in reality, things often take a much more gloomy turn. It is essential to remain calm and return to your path if you lose your keys.
Be aware that a lot of things aren't lost forever and can be located 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 bring a flashlight to help you search in dark corners and drawers. You can also ask someone to help you search, as a second pair eyes can be extremely helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing steps and checking common places like key hooks, look inside pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently were wearing or used. If you lost your keys at a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they've noticed something out of the ordinary.
Checking your pockets and bags for missing keys may seem like common sense but it is important to do it thoroughly. Clean out all pockets you have on you, including those in purses and jackets and look around every zippered area. It's also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycling bin in the event that keys fell out of your bag and were crushed by something other.
It may be helpful to go through your steps again and look for places you are sure they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many items are lost when we reach for something, but knock it off and then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a tough day and you're eager to go home, put on your comfy sweats, eat pizza, and watch your favorite TV show. You discover that your car keys are missing.
Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are overly filled with. It's also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a crowded spot like inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so be sure to thoroughly check those places.
Under the car is another common place to hide. If you choose to hide your keys under the car be sure you can open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, a thief could be able to spot the keys you have hidden under your car.
You can also put your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seats. Be sure that you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally smash them when you close the car door.
4. Call the police
We can lose things when we're distracted. You could be on the run for a few minutes and you have put your keys on the seat or you may require two hands free to grab a bag full of groceries. Whatever the reason, it happens to everyone.
If you lose something, it's important to call the police right immediately. You can then file a police report to protect your car from theft. This is crucial when you lose your keys outside of your home, at the shop or in public.
Before you do this make sure you go back to your steps. Recreate the scene from the last time you saw your keys in your head. It is also recommended to inquire of other people in the area if they have seen your car keys. This will help to ensure your car's security and prevent others from stealing it (which could result in additional costs such as new ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key it's always an excellent idea to make copies of it in case something similar occurs again.
5. Contact for a locksmith
It's not uncommon for people to forget where they put their keys, particularly when they are distracted or in a rush. There are several ways you can assist.
Start by retracing the steps you took and then searching for the locations where you think they might have been left. If you're unable to locate them, try checking in the car itself. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Finally, contact a locksmith to find out if they can assist you in finding your keys that have disappeared. They may be able make you a new key or even change your locks if necessary. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to provide proof of ownership when you call a locksmith. G28 Car Keys can do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on your situation you may need to wait for a replacement 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 cause you to lose your day. You may have been running an errand that was quick and accidentally left your keys on the seat, or you might have sat down to take a look at something and then lost track.
It is crucial to report lost keys as soon as you can to the police. This will leave a trail on paper and can to stop people from using your vehicle without your permission. This will also help you avoid getting 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. However, it's still best to speak with your agent to ensure you're covered prior to filing an claim.
Consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the numerous other options available. This will save you from having to deal with the hassle of a car keys replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always within reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
Sometimes you can lose your keys when you least would. You might be out for a quick errand and forget to put them down on the seat or you may be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work and can't remember where you put them.
There are ways to prevent this happening again. The best way to do this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your phone. When you open the app it will sound or flash to assist you locate your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow others can assist you to find them if they are lost.
You can also avoid losing your keys by putting them in the same spot each time you get home. If it's in the bowl on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, making a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.
8. Get 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 company immediately. You can be certain that your claim will get dealt with properly in the event of any damage to the vehicle in the future.
If you own a standard key (which does not have chip) you can purchase an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and cheapest alternative.
It may be more difficult for vehicles with an electronic key and an electronic fob. You'll have to visit your local dealership to purchase a new key. This can cost you up to $200, based on the model and make of your vehicle.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key to keep it somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your office or home particularly in the areas where you tend to lose things.