Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do No matter how well-organized you are, there's the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. It is important to be prepared for this eventuality. Based on the model of your car, the first call you need to make is a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can make an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle. 1. Retract Your Steps There aren't many things more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety, and even lead you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone regardless of how organized you are. The best case scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). But, in reality, things can take a more dire direction. When you lose your keys, it's crucial to remain calm and retrace the steps. It's also important to remember that most things aren't lost forever, and they're often found in odd locations. Therefore, before you resort to extreme measures, it's a good idea to revisit your steps and search thoroughly. Bring a flashlight with you to search for dark corners and drawers. You could also invite a family or friend member to help you search for a second pair of eyes can be helpful. 2. Check the Inside If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing steps and examining places you've used like key hooks, check inside bags, pockets and jackets that you recently were wearing or used. If you lost your keys at a store check with other shoppers or employees if they've noticed something different. The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may appear obvious however, you must do it thoroughly. Empty all of the pockets you carry, including purses and jackets and 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 could also retrace your steps and look in places you know the item isn't in, like the fridge or freezer. Many things are lost when we reach for something, but then we take it away and then forget about it. 3. Check the Outside You've been working hard all day and are now ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, have pizza and watch your favorite show. Unfortunately, lost car key replacement realize your car keys have disappeared. While you're going through your steps take a look at areas that are overly cluttered like desks and tabletops as well as the pockets of your clothing items. It's also common to lose your keys in a congested area like inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure you've checked these places. Under the car 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 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. Just be careful that you don't secure them too tightly, as you could accidentally crush them when you shut the door of your car. 4. Contact the police We are prone to get lost when we are distracted. You may be on the run for a few minutes and put your keys on the seat or you might require two hands free to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to all of us. When you lose something, it's crucial to notify the police right immediately. This way, you will be able to make a report and help to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is important when you lose your keys outside your home, in the shop, or anywhere else in public. Make sure to go through every step before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced when you last saw your keys in your head. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is also a excellent idea. This will help keep your vehicle safe and deter others from stealing it. (This could result in additional expenses such as new locks for doors and ignition). It is a good idea in the event that you have an extra car key to duplicate it in the event you lose it. 5. Contact a locksmith It's common for people to forget where they put their keys, especially when they're busy or distracted. There are a few simple things you can try to aid. Start by retracing your steps, and then searching for places you think you may have left them. If you're still struggling to locate them, try checking in the car itself. Many people lose their keys hanging from the keychain or in the visor It's a good idea to take taking a look. Contact a locksmith and inquire if they can find your keys. They might be able to cut you a key or change your locks, if needed. 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 ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on your situation you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership, which can take a number of days. 6. Call Your Insurance Agent There are times when you lose your car keys, and it can put a massive damper on your day. It might be that you were running an run and forgot to put them on the seat or maybe you put your keys down for a moment to grab something but lost the track of it. Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will leave a trail on paper and can to stop others from using your vehicle without your permission. It also stops you from being fined. Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if you have reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. However, it's best to check with your agent to confirm that you're covered before you file an insurance claim. You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the numerous other options available. This will eliminate the headache of replacing your car keys and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys in reach. 7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker You can lose your keys at any time. You could be on an urgent errand, only to you forget to put them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your vehicle after a long workday and not remember where you placed them. There are fortunately ways to stop this from happening in the near future. One of the best ways 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 your phone. When you open the app it will sound or flash to assist you find your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow other users can help you locate them if you are not in 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 your entry table or on a hook near the door, making a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future. 8. Get a New Key It is crucial to inform your insurance company immediately if you lose your car keys or if they're stolen. So you can be at ease knowing that your claim will be handled correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future. If you have a standard key (which does not contain a chip) you can get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and least expensive alternative. It may be more difficult for cars that have an electronic key and an electronic fob. You'll likely need visit your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200 depending on the model and make of your vehicle. To avoid this, keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to declutter your office or home particularly in the areas where you tend to lose things.
lost car key replacement
