What's The Most Important "Myths" About Lost My Car Keys May…

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 is important to be prepared for this situation.

It is recommended to contact a locksmith, or a dealership, based on the vehicle. These professionals can create an alternative key for your vehicle.

1. Retract your Steps

There aren't many things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that could happen to anyone, regardless of how organized you are.

The best-case scenario would be that they appear exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality, things can take a more dire direction. If you lose your keys, it is essential to remain calm and retrace the steps.

It is important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they're often found in some very odd places. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures it's best to retrace your steps and search thoroughly. In order to do this, it's a good idea to bring a flashlight to help you find dark areas and drawers. You can also ask a friend or family member to join you in your search to help you, as a second set of eyes can be helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing steps and checking common places like key hooks, examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you recently wore or used. If you lost car keys what to do them in a store, ask other customers or workers to see if they have noticed anything out of the ordinary.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem obvious however, you must take the time to do it with care. Clean your pockets, including the ones on purses and jackets. Feel around the zippered areas. Also, check the trash and recycling bins to determine if your keys have been snatched from your bag.

It may be helpful to retrace your steps once again and search places where you are sure they aren't like the fridge or freezer. A lot of times, things are lost when we reach for them but knock them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are now ready to head home put on your comfy sweats, have pizza and binge watch your favorite show. But, you discover that your car keys are missing.

Examine desks and pockets that are too cluttered. It's also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a congested area, such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so make sure you've checked these areas.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. However, if you choose to do this, ensure that you open the gas cap from outside your car as thieves can easily spot you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys.

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

4. Call the Police

It is easy to lose things when we're distracted. You could be running an easy errand and you've left your keys on the seat. Perhaps you require two hands to carry an empty bag of food items. Whatever the reason, it occurs to everyone.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you lose any item. This way, you will be able to submit a claim and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This step is especially important if your keys are replacing lost keys outside of your home, at the store, or somewhere else public.

Before you do this, be sure to retrace your steps. Recreate the scene you saw when you last saw your keys in your head. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is also a great idea. This will keep your car secure and prevent others from using it. (This could lead to additional costs, such as the purchase of new locks for doors and ignition). If you have a spare key it's an excellent idea to make an exact copy of it in case this occurs again.

5. Call for a locksmith

Many people forget where they placed their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are, however, several actions you can take to help.

Retrace the steps you took and searching for the areas you believe they may be. If you're still not able to locate them, look in the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.

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

If you do call locksmiths, be prepared to show 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 new key from the dealership which can take several days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

You may lose your car keys at times and it could ruin your day. You may have been running an errand that was quick and accidentally left your keys on the seat, or you may have put them down to grab something for a moment and then lost track.

It's important to report a replacing lost keys to a car key as soon as possible to the police. This will leave a trail on paper and will help to stop people from using your vehicle without permission. This can also ensure that you don't get penalized.

The homeowner's insurance policy could cover your keys if you have reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. However, it's still best to check with your agent to confirm that you're covered before filing an claim.

Consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the numerous other options available. This will prevent you from having to deal with the hassle of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing your keys are always at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any time. You could be on a quick errand, and you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long day at work and forget where you placed them.

There are ways to stop this happening again. One of the best options is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be connected to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. When you launch the app it will ring or flash to help you locate your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions, so that other users can help you find them if they are out of range.

You can also prevent losing your keys by always putting them in the same place every time you come home. If it's on the table in your entryway or on a hanger near the door, keeping the habit will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Get a replacement lost car keys Key

It is crucial to inform your insurance company right away when you lose your keys to your car, or if they are stolen. You can be sure that your claim will get handled properly if anything 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 the fastest and most affordable solution.

It may be more difficult for cars equipped with smart keys and require an electronic fob. It is likely that you will need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership to get an entirely new key. Depending 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 to keep it somewhere else than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you can't find things.