Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Whatever way you are, there's an occasion when you'll lose your car keys. It's crucial to be prepared for this situation.

Based on the model of your car the first call you need to make is a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can create an alternative key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There aren't many things more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, create a lot of anxiety and can even result in unsavory calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not the loss of your keys can happen to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). However it is possible for the situation to be more serious. It is important to stay calm and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.

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 thoroughly search. To do this it's recommended to carry a flashlight with you to help you search in dark areas and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to join you in your search for a second pair of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and examining common areas like key hooks check inside bags, pockets and jackets you've recently worn or used. If you've lost them at the store, ask employees or customers to see if they have noticed anything unusual.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem like common sense however, you must take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, even those on purses and jackets. Examine the zippered areas. Also, check the recycling and trash bins to see if your keys have been snatched from your bag.

You could also retrace your steps and search places you know the item isn't, like the fridge or freezer. Many items get lost keys to car when we look for something but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a tough day and are eager to go home, put on your cozy sweats, eat some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite TV 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 such as tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothes. You could also leave your keys in a crowded area, such as the door handle or in the refrigerator.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to hide your keys under the car ensure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, a thief might be able see 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 secure them too tightly, as you could accidentally crush them as you shut the car door.

4. Call the police

We can get lost when we are distracted. You might be on the run for a few minutes and have your keys in the seat, or you might just require two hands to pick up a bag of food items. It happens to all of us.

It is important to contact the police immediately if you have lost any item. This way, you will be able to submit a claim and help keep your car safe from thieves. This is important when you have lost your keys outside your home, at the store or in public.

Before you do this, be sure to follow your steps. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the last time you saw them. It is also an excellent idea to ask others in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help keep your car secure and stop others from using it (which may result in extra costs like replacing ignition and door locks). It is a good idea, in the event that you have a spare car key, to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's normal for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, particularly when they're distracted or in a rush. There are a few easy ways to aid.

Retrace your steps, and then searching for areas you think you might have abandoned them. If you're still unable to find them, try looking inside the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

Contact a locksmith to inquire whether they have your keys. They might be able to cut keys or replace your locks, if needed. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

If you do contact locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of the ownership of your vehicle. You can use your car's registration or title. Based on the circumstances, you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which can take a number of days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

You may lose your keys to your car at times and it could ruin your day. It might be that you were running a quick errand and accidentally left keys on the floor or maybe you put your key down to grab something, but Lost My Car Key track of it.

It's important to report a lost key immediately to the police. This will create a paper trail and will help keep people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also help you avoid getting penalized.

If you've reported your keys as lost keys car to the police and your homeowner's insurance could 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 a claim.

You should consider buying a Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you the headache of replacing your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

You can lose your keys at any time. You might be running a quick errand, and you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long working day and forget where you put keys.

Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the future. One of the best ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices are connected to your wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your phone. The app will flash or ring once you open it to help you locate your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions, so that other users can help you locate them if they are not in range.

Another way to prevent losing your keys is to place them in the same place each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or hung on a hook near the door, making a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.

8. Get a New 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. You can be certain that your claim will get handled properly if anything happens to the car in the future.

If you already have a standard (non-chip) key you can purchase an additional one from any hardware or locksmith. This is the quickest and least expensive solution.

It may be more difficult for vehicles equipped with smart keys and require an electronic fob. It is likely that you will need to go to your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200 based on the model and make of your vehicle.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key and keep it somewhere else than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your office or home especially in areas where you are likely to lose things.