Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Keys will be lost at some point, regardless of how to replace lost car key well organized you are. It is important to be prepared for this scenario.

You should call a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on your vehicle. These experts can design keys for replacement for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your entire day, create anxiety and even lead you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not the loss of your keys can occur to anyone.

The best-case scenario would be that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). However it is possible for the situation to be much more serious. When you lose your keys, it is crucial to remain calm and retrace the steps.

It is also important to remember that most things won't disappear for ever, and are often found in unusual locations. Before resorting to extreme measures it is an ideal idea to go back and look over your steps. To accomplish this it's a good idea to bring a flashlight to help you find dark corners and drawers. You could also invite a family or friend member to help you search to help you, as a second set of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and checking common places such as key hooks, examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you recently wore or used. If you lost your keys at a store check with other shoppers or employees if they noticed something different.

Checking your pockets and bags for keys that are missing might seem like common sense but it is important to be thorough. Empty all of the pockets you have on you including those in purses and jackets, and make sure to feel around every zippered area. It's also a good idea to comb through the recycling and trash bin in case keys got lost my car keys no spare in your bag and were crushed by something other.

You can also trace your footsteps and search in places where you know it isn't in, like the freezer or fridge. Sometimes, items are lost when we reach for them but then take them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are now ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, order pizza and binge watch your favorite show. You realize that your keys to your car are missing.

Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are too packed. It's also common to leave keys in a messy spot, such as inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure to thoroughly check those areas.

Another popular hiding place is under the car. If you decide to choose to do this, ensure that you can remove the gas cap outside your car as thieves can easily spot you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys under the car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to put them too tightly, as they could be crushed when you close the door.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we lose things because we are just a little bit distracted. You may be running an errand and put your keys in the seat, or you may require two hands free to pick up a bag of food items. It happens to every person.

When you lose something, it's important to notify the police right immediately. 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 your home or at the store or at a location that is public.

Before you do this make sure you go back to your steps. Try to become your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the time you last saw them. It is also a good idea to ask others in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help keep your vehicle safe and stop other people from stealing it. (This could result in additional costs, such as the purchase of new locks for doors and ignition). If you have a spare key it's always an excellent idea to make an exact copy of it in the event that this occurs again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's normal for people to forget where they put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a hurry. There are, however, several actions you can take to help.

Start by retracing your steps and looking for areas you think you might have abandoned them. If you're still not able to locate them, make sure you check your car. Many people lose their keys hanging from their keychains or the visor, so it's worth a quick look in there.

Lastly, call an locksmith to see if they can assist you in finding the keys you lost. They may be able make you a new key or even alter your locks if required. They also have the tools and know-how to replace a lost car key to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on your situation you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership which can take several days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

You might lose your car keys at times and it can cause you to lose your day. You might have been running an easy errand and misplaced your keys on the seat, or you may have put them down to get something to grab for a second and then lost track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is crucial. This will create a paper record and will stop other people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also help you avoid getting penalized.

Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to call your agent to confirm that you're covered prior to filing a claim.

Consider keeping an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or any of the other options available. This will save you the hassle of having to replace your car keys, and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any moment. You might be out for a quick errand and do not remember to put them on the seat or you might be getting out of your car after a long day at work and you can't remember where you put them.

Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. One of the best is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. When you open the app it will ring or flash to help you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers have community features that allow others to assist you in finding the keys if they aren't in reach.

Another way to prevent losing your keys is to always keep them in the same spot each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter whether you put them in a bowl on the table or hang them on a hook by the door. Making this an habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a New Key

If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company immediately. This way you can be at ease knowing that your claim will be dealt with correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard key (which does not contain chip) you can simply get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and cheapest alternative.

For more modern cars with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it might be a little more difficult. You will need to visit your local dealership to obtain a replacement key. Based on the make and model of your car it could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.

To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you can't find things.