What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

Things get lost my car key in the whirlwind that is life such as kids, errands, work, socializing with friends, and so on. Sometimes it's the little things like keys.

For most vehicles keys, a new one can be purchased at the local hardware store, along with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is an inexpensive alternative.

Retract Your Steps

There is nothing more difficult than losing your one car key and not being able to access your vehicle. It could cost you time, money and peace of mind. However, the first thing you should do when you lose the only car key you have is to remain calm. Panicking will not help you locate your keys faster, and it can cause more damage.

Start by trying to remember the last time you had your keys. It could be as simple as having them in your pocket when you got out of the car to go on an errand, or they may have been i lost My only car key while you were taking groceries inside. The process of retracing your steps will help you find your keys in no time at all.

If you aren't able to retrace steps Try writing down all the places you visited during the day. This will trigger your memory and provide you with the clue you need to locate your keys. After you've written down all possible spots your keys could be, make sure you examine each location. Sometimes, keys "drift" to the side, floor or even under something and you might just be in a position to retrieve them exactly where you left them.

Take a look inside Your Car

A few years ago the loss or misplacement of a car key wasn't a big problem. In the past, most people kept a spare key in a small container that was that was attached to their vehicle. However, as cars get more technologically advanced, keys are more likely to disappear. Replacing a stolen or lost car key may require many steps and can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the vehicle type and the year of manufacture. This is why it's crucial to have a backup in the event that you lose your only car key.

Take your time before you get anxious about losing your one car key. Try to remain calm. Once you've got your emotions under control, you can begin to work through the steps. First, retrace your steps and consider when you last had the keys in your hands. It's common to juggle keys while you are grabbing something else, and they can end up on the car on the floor, but you aren't able to see them.

The next step is to thoroughly search through your vehicle, particularly the places you normally place them. You may have accidentally knocked the items out of your bag or left them on your car's dashboard when you left your car to go into a store.

Take a look in your pockets, purses and bags. You might not be aware of your deep pockets or big bags.

If you still can't find your keys, you need to call an expert locksmith and request help. If you own an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith can typically make you a new one right on the spot. If, however, you own a modernized key fob with chips, you'll have to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership in order to receive a replacement.

Check Your Hide Spots

If you were in a rush to get out of the door or distracted while trying to eat your sandwich and call or even forgot your keys it's easy to lose keys when you're working. It's good that many people keep an extra key at their workplace or at home which they can quickly locate. If you have an extra key, it is essential to look over all the places you've previously kept them. This includes obvious places such as a purse or backpack or a pocket on the sofa, a pile of mail on your table or even a drawer in your dresser. If you have a family member with you ask them to look over these places too.

There are a variety of magnetic boxes and mini-vaults designed to stick onto your vehicle to allow you to stash a spare key in it. These are perfect for hiding keys since they won't break when you drive over bumps and can protect your keys from the elements. Many of these storage devices come with combination locks, which means that even if the key to a relative they won't be able to open it without your permission.

Another popular trick for hiding keys is to buy fake rocks that have an enclosed compartment. This is a great option for outdoor spaces, but you must be aware that thieves are often looking for these items. If you do decide to use this method make sure you use dark duct tape to make it more difficult for thieves to detect.

The hood is the final spot to look. This is a great place to hide a key for the gas cap if you have one. It won't be visible. Make sure you use a heavy-duty piece of tape so that the key doesn't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you go to remove it.

There are ways to reduce the impact of keys missing from your car in your daily routine. You can locate your keys by retracing Your steps and examining the most likely hiding spots. Calling a local locksmith can also save you time and money.

Contact a Locksmith

Unless you have spare keys stashed somewhere the best thing you can do in the event that you lose your only car key is contact a locksmith. They can help you recover the key quickly and i lost my only car key provide you with suggestions on how to avoid this occurring again in the future. You can also try contacting the local key duplication business. But, they'll require the exact model, make, model and year of your car to duplicate keys.

You'll have to visit your dealer if your vehicle is an older model or has a smart fob. This can be costly particularly if they have to order the correct key for your vehicle and it could take days or even weeks.

One thing that many people do not realize is that a professional locksmith can usually offer the same services as dealerships but at a fraction of the cost. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith costs or towing in the event of a stolen or lost key, and some offer roadside assistance that can send experts to your location to assist you get back in your vehicle.

If you have comprehensive auto insurance, you should be looking over your coverage prior to choosing a dealership. It is also recommended to inform the police as soon as you can. This will ensure that no one else will have access to your car without permission. It is also a way to protect yourself in the event that you are ever victimized by a robber or attacked. Notifying your keys will allow police officers to be on watch for anyone who may try to gain access to your vehicle in a way that is illegal. In the worst case scenario you could be protected from criminal charges in the event that someone attempts to steal your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when you lose the car keys that you have is that you should never panic. Try the above steps and, if needed, enlist a friend or family to help.