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.

Depending on your vehicle, the first call you should make is to a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can create keys for replacement 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 entire day, cause anxiety, and even cause you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. It doesn't matter if are a meticulously organized person or not, losing your keys can occur to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they show up exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). However, the situation can often be more serious. It is crucial to keep your cool and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.

Keep in mind that many things are not lost car keys price forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. Before taking drastic measures, it is a good idea for you to go back and trace your steps. To accomplish this it's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you to help you find dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a family member or friend member to search with you to help you, as a second set of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after returning to your location and looking at common locations like key hooks, look for them inside of pockets, bags and jackets you've worn or wore recently. If you've lost them in a store, ask other customers or workers to see if they noticed something unusual.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem obvious however, you must be thorough. Clean your pockets, including the ones on purses and jackets. Examine every zippered area. You should also check the recycling and trash bins to see if your keys have disappeared from your bag.

You can also retrace your steps and look in places you know the item isn't in, like the fridge or freezer. Many items get lost my car key when we reach for something, but we forget about it. then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a tiring day and are eager to get back home, change into your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and watch your favorite TV show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing.

Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are packed. It's also not uncommon to leave keys in a crowded spot like in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so be sure to thoroughly check those areas.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you choose to hide your keys under the car ensure that you can easily 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 corner on the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the door.

4. Call the Police

It is easy to get i've lost my car keys when we are distracted. You may be doing an easy errand and you've forgotten your keys on the seat. Perhaps you require two hands to grab an empty bag of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to every person.

If you have lost something, it's important to call the police right away. This way, you can file a report and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially important if your keys are lost outside of your home, at the store, or at a location that is public.

Before you do this make sure you go back to your steps. Recreate the scene that you experienced when you last glimpsed your keys in your mind. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is also a good idea. This will help keep your car secure and stop others from stealing it (which could lead to additional costs such as new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea, should you have a spare car key, to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.

5. Contact a Locksmith

It's common for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, particularly when they are distracted or in a hurry. There are a few simple tips you can use to help.

Retrace the steps you took and searching in the places where you think they might have been left. If you're unable to locate them, try looking inside the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

Finally, contact a locksmith to find out if they can help you find your keys that have disappeared. They may be able cut you a brand new key or even change your locks if required. They have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Make sure you have proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. You can do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on your situation you may have to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which can take several days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are times when you're unable to locate your car keys and it can put a major downer on your day. You may have been running an errand that was quick and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you could have put them down to get something to grab for a second and lost track.

Reporting a stolen or lost my only car key key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will create a paper trail and helps keep other people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also allow you to avoid being punished.

If you've reported your keys as lost car key with no spare to the police, your homeowner's insurance may be able to cover them as they're personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent to confirm that you are insured prior to filing a claim.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or any of the other options available. This will save you from having to go through the hassle of a car key replacement and give you peace of mind knowing your keys are always at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys at the time you least expect it. You could be running a quick errand and do not remember to put them on the seat or you may be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work and you can't remember where you put them.

There are fortunately ways to stop this from happening in the near future. One of the best options is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and can connect to an app on your phone. Once you open the app it will sound 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 are out of range.

You can also avoid losing your keys by always putting them in the same place each time you get home. If it's on the table in your entryway or hung on a hook near the door, establishing an habit of this will make it easier to find them in the future.

8. Get a New Key

It is crucial to inform your insurance company right away if you lose your car keys or if they're stolen. So, you can rest assured that your claim will be dealt with in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you own a standard key (which doesn't have chips) you can simply get a replacement at any locksmith or hardware store. This is the fastest and cheapest solution.

It might be more difficult for cars that have an electronic key and an electronic fob. You'll have go to your local dealer to obtain a replacement key. Based on the model and make of your car this could cost you upwards of $200.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key and keep it somewhere else than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, especially in areas where you lose things.