Lost My Car Keys? Here’s What to Do

No matter how well-organized you are, there comes the time that you’ll have to lose your car keys. It is important to be prepared for this eventuality.

It is recommended to contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, based on the vehicle. They 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 make your day miserable, cause a lot of anxiety and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn’t matter whether you are a meticulously organized person or not losing your keys could happen to anyone.

The best case scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the norm). In reality it is possible for the situation to be more serious. If you lose your keys, it’s important to remain calm and retrace the steps.

Be aware that a lot of things don’t go unnoticed forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures it’s a good idea to retrace your steps and search thoroughly. Bring a flashlight with you to look through dark corners and drawers. You could also ask someone to assist you, because a second pair of eyes can be very helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you are unable to locate your keys after retracing steps and checking common places such as key hooks, look inside pockets, bags and jackets that you recently wore or used. If you’ve lost them at the store, ask others who are customers or employees to see if they noticed anything out of the ordinary.

Examining your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might seem like common sense however, you must take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Check every zippered area. Also, check the recycling and trash bins to determine if your keys have been snatched from your bag.

It may be helpful to go back again and look for places you know they’re not like the fridge or freezer. Sometimes, items go missing when we go to them, but then take them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You’ve worked hard all day and are now ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, eat pizza and on your favorite TV show. But, you discover that your car keys have disappeared.

Examine desks and pockets that are filled with. It’s also not uncommon to leave keys in a messy spot like inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so be sure you’ve thoroughly checked those areas.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to hide your keys under the car be sure you can open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, a thief could be able to spot you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You could also consider hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Make sure you don’t place them too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the car door.

4. Contact the police

We can lose things when we’re distracted. You could be running an errand and have your keys on the seat or you may require two hands free to carry a load of food items. Whatever the reason, it happens to everyone.

When you lose something, it’s crucial to call the police right away. This way, you can submit a claim and help keep your car safe from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost key replacement car outside of your house, at the store, or somewhere else public.

Make sure to go through all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene from the time you last glimpsed your keys in your head. Asking your friends and family if they’ve seen your keys is another excellent idea. This will help ensure your car’s security and stop others from using it (which could result in additional expenses like new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea if you have an extra car key to duplicate it in case you lose it again.

5. Call a Locksmith

People often forget where they put their keys, especially if they’re stressed or distracted. There are a few basic things you can try to aid.

Begin by retracing the steps you took and searching in the places in which you think they could be. If you are still unable to locate them, look in the car. Many people have keys that are hanging from their keychains or the visor and it’s worth having a quick look.

Last but not least, contact a locksmith to find out if they can help you find your lost keys for my car keys. They might be able to cut keys or replace the locks if required. They also have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

If you do contact locksmiths, be prepared to provide proof of ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. Depending on your situation you may have to wait for a new key from the dealership which can take several days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

There are times that you’ll lose your car keys, and it can put a massive downer on your day. It might be that you were running an errand and accidentally left keys on the floor or maybe you put your key down for a moment to grab something but lost track of it.

Notifying a stolen or lost key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will create a paper trail and can keep people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also prevents you from being penalized.

Your homeowner’s insurance may cover your keys if you have reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent to confirm that you’re covered prior to making an insurance claim.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the numerous other options available. This will save you from having to deal with the hassle of a car keys replacement and give you peace of mind knowing that your keys are always in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

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

There are fortunately ways to prevent this from happening in the near future. The best method for doing this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your wallet or keyring and can be connected to an app for your phone. When you open the app, it will ring or flash to help locate your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow other people can help you locate them if you are cheap lost car key replacement.

You can also avoid losing your keys by putting them in the same spot each time you get home. It doesn’t matter whether you place them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on a hook near the door. Making this an habit will make it easier to find your keys in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

It is crucial to inform your insurance company right away when you lose your car keys or if they’re stolen. You can be assured that your claim will be taken care of if something happens to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard (non-chip) key it is easy to purchase a new one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is usually the quickest and least expensive alternative.

For more modern cars with a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it may be a little more difficult. You’ll likely need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. Based on the model and make of your vehicle this could cost anywhere from $200 to $300.

To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key and keep it somewhere different from your keys. It’s also an excellent idea to clean your house or office, especially the place that you tend to drop things.