Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You'll lose your keys at some point, regardless of how well organized you are. It's crucial to be prepared for this situation.

You should contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, depending on the vehicle. These professionals can make an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There aren't many things that are more painful than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, cause an anxiety-filled day and can even result in unwanted calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if are an organized person or not, losing your keys can occur to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). But, in reality, things tend to take a more gloomy turn. It is important to remain calm and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.

It's also important to remember that the majority of things don't go missing forever, and they're often found in unusual places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures it's best to go back and conduct a thorough search. Bring a flashlight to search for dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend or family member to search with you to help you, as a second set of eyes can be helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you are unable to locate your keys after retracing steps and examining places you've used such as key hooks, examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you recently wore or used. If you lost your keys at a store, ask other shoppers or employees if they've noticed something unusual.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem like common sense, but you should take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, even those on purses and jackets. Feel around every zippered area. You should also check the recycling and trash bins to see if your keys have fallen out of your bag.

You can also trace your steps and look in places where you know it isn't, like the fridge or freezer. Many things are lost key in car when we reach for something, but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've worked hard all day and are now ready to head home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza and binge on your favorite TV show. You realize that your keys to your car are missing.

Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are overly filled with. You may also leave your keys in a crowded space, like the door handle or in the refrigerator.

Under the Peugeot car key replacements Near me is another common place to hide. If you decide to do this make sure you are able to remove the gas cap outside your vehicle as thieves can easily spot you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys.

You could also consider hiding your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Be sure that you don't place them too tightly or you'll accidentally crush them when you shut the door of your car.

4. Call the police

Sometimes, we forget things because we are just a little distracted. You could be running a quick errand and have your keys on the seat, or you may require two hands to grab a bag full of groceries. Whatever the reason, it occurs to every person.

It is important to contact the police immediately if you lose anything. You can then submit a police report in order to protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your house at the grocery store, or in a public place.

Make sure to go through every step before you begin. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the last time you observed them. It's also a good idea to ask others in the vicinity if they have seen your car keys. 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). It is a good idea, in the event that you have a spare car key, to duplicate it in the event you lose it.

5. Contact an expert locksmith

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

Begin by retracing the steps you took and searching for the areas where you think they might be. If you're still unable to locate them, consider checking in the car itself. It's not common for people to lose their keys under the visor or on the keychain.

Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they can locate your keys. They may be able cut keys for you or alter your locks, if necessary. They also have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do contact a locksmith, be prepared to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. Based on the circumstances you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership which can take several days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

You might lose your keys to your car at times and it can make your day miserable. It could be because you were running a quick run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you put your keys down to grab something, but lost track of it.

It's important to report a lost key as soon as you can to the police. This will result in a paper record and help prevent other people from using your car without your permission. This also helps you avoid being fined.

Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent to confirm that you are insured prior to filing claims.

Keep an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the many other options available. This will help you avoid the headache of replacing your car keys and ensure that you always have your keys in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes you can lose your keys at the time you least expect it. You might be running a quick errand and you forget to place them on the seat or may be getting out of your car after a long day at work and can't remember where you put them.

There are ways to avoid this from happening again. The best method to prevent this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices are connected to your keyring or wallet and can be connected to an app on the phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it, to aid you in finding your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions, so that other users can help you locate them if you are out of range.

You can also prevent losing your keys by placing them in the same spot every time you come home. It doesn't matter if it's on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, making a habit of this will make it easier to locate them 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 inform your insurance company right away. That way, you can 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 an ordinary (non-chip) key, you can easily get a new one from any hardware or locksmith. This is the fastest and most affordable solution.

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

To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key to keep it somewhere else than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a great idea, especially in areas where you can't find things.