Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You'll lose your keys at some point, no matter how organized you are. It's important to be prepared for this situation.

You should call an auto locksmith or a dealership, based on the vehicle. These experts can create an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There aren't many things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety and even lead you to receive unpleasant phone calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that can happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.

The best-case scenario would be that they show up exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). In reality the situation could be more grave. It is crucial to stay calm and return to your path if you lose your keys.

It's important to remember that most things aren't lost my keys forever, and they are often found in some very strange locations. Before you resort to drastic 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 aid you in searching dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend to assist you for you, 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 examining common areas like key hooks check inside bags, pockets and jackets that you have recently worn or used. If you lost your keys in a store, ask other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something different.

Checking your pockets and bags for missing keys may appear obvious, but you should be thorough. Clean your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Feel around every zippered area. You should also look in the recycling and trash bins to determine if your keys have been snatched from your bag.

It might be beneficial to go through your steps again and search places where you are sure they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many times, items are lost when we reach for them but then slam them away and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a long day and just want to get back home, change into your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys have disappeared.

Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are overly cluttered. It's also not uncommon to leave keys in a crowded spot like on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so make sure to thoroughly check those places.

Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. If you decide to do this make sure you are able to remove the gas cap outside your car as a thief could easily see you crouched under your car to hide your keys under the 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 crush them as you shut the door of your car.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things simply because we're a little distracted. You could be running an errand and you have put your keys on the seat, or you might just require two hands free to grab a bag full of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to everyone.

It is important to contact the police immediately if you lose any item. This way, you can file a report and help keep your car safe from thieves. This is particularly crucial if your keys get lost outside of your house or at the store or somewhere else public.

Make sure to go through all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene from when you last looked at your keys in your head. Asking people around you whether they've seen your keys is another great idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from using it. (This could result in additional expenses such as new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key, it's recommended to create copies of it in case this occurs again.

5. Contact a Locksmith

People often forget where they put their keys, especially when they're busy or distracted. Luckily, there are some things you can do to aid.

Start by retracing the steps you've already taken and searching in the places you believe they may be. If you are still unable to locate them, look in the car. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

Lastly, call an locksmith prices for lost car keys to see if they are able to assist you in finding your keys that have disappeared. They might be able to cut you a brand new key or even alter your locks if required. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do contact locksmiths, be prepared to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle 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. Call Your Insurance Agent

You may lose your keys to your car at times and it can ruin your day. You might have been running an errand that was quick and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you might have sat down to get something to grab for a second and then Lost key to my car track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as quickly as you can is important. This will create a paper trail and helps prevent people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also stops you from being penalized.

The homeowner's insurance policy could 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 or the numerous other options available. This will prevent you from having to go through the hassle of a car keys replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least expect it. You could be out on a quick errand, and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your car after a long day at work and forget the place you put them.

There are ways to prevent this from happening again. The best way to do this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices are connected to your wallet or keyring and can be connected to an app on the phone. When you launch the app it will ring or flash to assist you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other people to assist you in finding the keys if they aren't in reach.

You can also make sure you don't lose your keys by placing them in the same spot every time you come home. It doesn't matter if put them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on a hook by the door. Making this an habit will make it easier to find your keys in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing is to inform your insurance provider right away. This way you'll be able to rest at ease knowing that your claim will be dealt with in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard (non-chip) key, you can easily get a new one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is the fastest and least expensive solution.

For modern vehicles with a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it may be a bit more challenging. You will likely have visit the local dealership and provide proof of ownership to get an updated key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200, based on the model and make of your vehicle.

To prevent this from happening, lost key to my car keep a spare set of keys in a different place than your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you're likely to lose things.