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Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
Whatever way you are, there comes the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. If lost my car key happens it is crucial to know what to do.
Depending on the vehicle you have the first phone call you should make is to a locksmith or a dealership. These professionals can create keys for replacement for your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There aren't many things that are more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even cause you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not losing your keys could happen to anyone.
The ideal scenario is that they show up exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). But, in reality things can take a darker turn. If you lose your keys, it's important to remain calm and retrace the steps.
It is also important to remember that the majority of things don't go missing for ever, and are often found in some very unusual places. Before resorting to extreme measures it is a good idea for you to retrace and search your steps. To accomplish this it's a good idea to bring a flashlight to help you find dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to search with you, as another set of eyes can be helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you haven't found your car keys after returning to your location and looking in common places like key hooks, look for them in pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you've lost them in the store, talk to employees or customers to see if they have noticed anything unusual.
Examining your bags and pockets for keys missing may seem like common sense however, you must do it thoroughly. Clean your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Examine every zippered area. It's also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycling bin in the event that keys got lost in your bag and were crushed by something else.
It may be helpful to go back again and search places where you know they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many times, items go missing when we try to find them but then take them off and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've put in the hours and are ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, order pizza and watch your favorite show. But, you discover that your car keys have disappeared.
Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are too cluttered. It's also common to lose your keys in a messy spot, such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so make sure you've checked these places.
Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. However, if you choose to do this, ensure that you can remove the gas cap outside your car as thieves could easily spot you crouched under your car to hide your keys.
You might also try hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Be sure that you don't place them too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you shut the car door.
4. Contact the police
Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we're a little bit distracted. You might be running an errand and put your keys on the seat or you may require two hands to grab a bag full of food items. It happens to every person.
If you have lost something, it's important to call the police right immediately. This way, you can submit a claim and help to keep your car safe from thieves. This step is especially important if your keys are lost outside your home or at the store or in a public place.
Before you start, be sure to retrace your steps. Recreate the scene you saw when you last glimpsed your keys in your mind. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is another good idea. This will help keep your car secure and prevent others from using it (which could lead to additional expenses like new ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key, it is always recommended to create copies of it in the event that this happens to you again.
5. Contact an expert locksmith
It's not uncommon for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they're distracted or in a hurry. There are, however, some actions you can take to assist.
Start by retracing the steps you've already taken and then searching for the locations where you think they might have been left. If you're still not able to locate them, check the car. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.
Contact a locksmith to inquire whether they can locate your keys. They may be able to make you a new key or even change your locks if required. They have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
Be prepared to provide proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. You might have to wait for several days for a dealership to send you a replacement key according to your particular situation.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
There are times that you'll lose your car keys and it can put a huge impact on your day. You could have been on an easy errand and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you might have sat down to get something to grab for a second and then lost track.
Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is vital. This will be recorded on paper and prevent others from using your car without permission. It also stops you from being penalized.
Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to contact your agent to confirm that you are covered prior to filing claims.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags, Tiles or the numerous other options available. This will eliminate the headache of replacing your car keys, and give you peace-of-mind knowing that you always have your keys within reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker
You can lose your keys at any time. You could be out for a quick errand and do not remember to put them on the seat or might be getting out of your car after an extended day at work and you can't remember where you put them.
There are fortunately ways to stop this from happening again in the future. One of the best ways is to use 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 locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other people to assist you in finding them if your keys are out of reach.
Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to always place them in the same place each time you return home. It doesn't matter if you place them in an entry table or a hook by the door. Making this an habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.
8. Find a replacement key
It is essential to inform your insurance company immediately if you lose your car keys or if they're stolen. lost key to car 'll be able to rest sure that your claim will be dealt with properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you already have a standard (non-chip) key, you can easily get an additional one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and cheapest alternative.
For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it might be a bit more difficult. It is likely that you will need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain an entirely new key. This could cost you up to $200 based on the make and model of your car.
To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys in a different place than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you can't find things.