Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

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

It is recommended to contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, depending on the vehicle. They can design a replacement key to fit your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things that are more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can make your day miserable, cause lots of stress and even trigger unsavory calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that happens to everyone 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 always the case). But, in reality things often take a much more dire turn. If you lose your keys, it's important to remain calm and follow the steps.

Remember that many things don't go unnoticed forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it is an ideal idea to go back and look over your steps. To accomplish this it's recommended to bring a flashlight to aid you in searching dark areas and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to help you search for a second pair of eyes can be beneficial.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after going back to your steps and looking in common places like key lost car hooks, search for them inside of pockets, bags, and jackets you wore or used recently. If you lost your keys at a store, ask other shoppers or employees if they noticed something different.

It might seem obvious to look in your own pockets and bags for keys to your car that are missing however, it's crucial to do so thoroughly. Empty all of the pockets that you carry around including those in jackets and purses and feel around every zippered area. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to see if any of your keys have been snatched from your bag.

You can also retrace your steps and search places where you know it isn't, like the fridge or freezer. A lot of times, things are lost when we try to find them but then slam them away and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a tiring day and you're eager to go home, put on your cozy sweats, eat pizza, and watch your favorite TV show. You find that your car keys are missing.

While you're retracing your steps, check overly cluttered spaces like desks and tabletops and also the pockets of your clothing items. You may also leave your keys in a busy area, such as the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.

Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car key lost no spare. If you decide to do this make sure you can access the gas cap from outside your vehicle as a thief could easily see you crouched under your car to hide your keys under the car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly, as you may accidentally crush them when you shut the door.

4. Contact the police

We can lose things when we are distracted. You might be running an easy errand and you've forgotten your keys on the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to carry a bag of food items. It happens to every person.

It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you have lost any item. This way, you can make a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly crucial if your keys get Lost My Car Key outside of your house, at the store, or at a location that is public.

Before you do this make sure you follow your steps. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from the last time you seen them. It's also a good idea to ask other people in the area whether they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your car safe and stop others from using it (which could result in additional costs like replacing door locks and ignition). It is a good idea, in the event that you have an extra car key to duplicate it in case you lose it again.

5. Call for a locksmith

People often forget where they placed their keys, especially if they're stressed or distracted. There are, however, a few things you can do to aid.

Begin by retracing the steps you took and searching in the places you believe they may be. If you still can't find them, look in the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

Lastly, call locksmiths to see if they can help you find the keys you lost. They might be able to make you a new key or even alter the locks on your home if needed. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do contact a locksmith, make sure to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. You can use your car's registration or title. You may have to wait for several days for a dealership to send you a replacement key depending on your situation.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

There are occasions when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a massive impact on your day. You may have been running an easy errand and misplaced your keys on the seat, or you may have sat down to get something to grab for a second and lost track.

It is crucial to report a lost car keys near me key as soon as you can to the police. This will leave a trail on paper and will help to stop others from using your vehicle without your permission. This also helps you avoid getting 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 best to talk to your agent to make sure you're covered prior to filing an claim.

Consider keeping an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or the numerous other options available. This will eliminate the stress of having to replace your car keys and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any time. You could be out on an urgent errand, only to forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long day at work and forget the place you put keys.

There are fortunately ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. The best method for doing this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your phone. Once you open the app it will sound or flash to assist you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers have community features that allow other users to assist you in finding them in case your keys aren't in reach.

You can also avoid losing your keys by placing them in the same spot every time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if put them in an table in the entryway or on a hook by the door. Making this routine a habit will help you locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a New Key

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

If you own a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can purchase an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the fastest and least expensive solution.

It may be more difficult for vehicles equipped with smart keys and require an electronic fob. You'll need to visit your local dealer to purchase a new key. Depending on the model and make of your car, this could cost of replacing lost car keys anywhere from $200 to $300.

To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key in your possession and keep it somewhere else than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you're likely to lose things.