Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do No matter how well-organized you are, there will come the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. It is important to be prepared for this eventuality. You should call a locksmith, or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. These experts can design a replacement key for your vehicle. 1. Retract your steps There are few things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even lead you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that could happen to anyone regardless of how organized you are. The best-case scenario would be that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality things can take a more dire turn. It is important to stay calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys. Keep in mind that many things are not lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. So, before taking extreme measures, it's a good idea to retrace your steps and thoroughly search. To do this it's a good idea to bring a flashlight to help you search in dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to help you search, as another set of eyes is often helpful. 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 hooks, search for them inside of pockets, bags, and jackets you wore or wore recently. If you've lost them in a store, ask others who are customers or employees to see if they noticed anything unusual. Examining your bags and pockets for keys that are missing might seem obvious but it is important to be thorough. Take out all pockets you have on you such as those in jackets and purses, and make sure to check every zippered space. It's also a good idea to comb through the recycling and trash bin in case keys fell out of your bag and were crushed by something other. It may be helpful to go back again and search places where you are sure they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many things are lost when we look for something but knock it off and then forget about it. 3. Check the Outside You've had a tough day and just want to get back home, change into your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and watch your favorite TV show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing. Examine desks and pockets that are overly packed. It's also common to leave keys in a messy spot like on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure to thoroughly check those places. Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you decide to do this, make sure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, a thief might be able see you hiding your keys beneath your car. You can also put your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be sure that you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally smash them when you shut the door of your car. 4. Call the Police Sometimes, we lose things simply because we're a little distracted. You might be running a quick errand and put your keys on the seat or you may require two hands free to carry a load of food items. Whatever the reason, it happens to all. If you have lost something, it's crucial to contact the police away. You can then file a police report to protect your car from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your home or at the store or in a public place. Before you do this ensure that you follow your steps. Recreate the scene you saw when you last glimpsed your keys in your head. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is a excellent idea. This will help keep your vehicle secure and prevent others from stealing it. (This could lead to costs like new ignition locks and door locks). If you have a spare key it's always a good idea to make copies of it in the event that this occurs again. 5. Call a Locksmith People often forget where they placed their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are, however, some actions you can take to help. Begin by retracing the steps you've taken and then searching for the locations in which you think they could be. If you're still struggling to locate them, try looking inside the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys under the visor or on the keychain. Finally, contact an locksmith to see if they can assist you in finding your keys that have disappeared. They might be able to cut keys or replace the locks if required. They also have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors. If you do call locksmiths, be prepared to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle's registration or title. You may have to wait several days for a dealer to send you a new key, dependent on the circumstances. 6. Call Your Insurance Agent There are times when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a huge downer on your day. It could be that you were running an task and left them on the seat or maybe you set your key down for a moment to grab something but lost track of it. It's important to report lost keys as soon as possible to the police. This will leave a trail on paper and will help keep others from using your vehicle without your permission. This can also ensure that you don't get fined. Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if you have reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to contact your agent and confirm that you are covered prior to making claims. You might want to consider keeping an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags, Tiles or the numerous other options available. This will prevent you from having to go through the stress of a car key replacement and give you peace of mind knowing your keys are always 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 you might be getting out of your car after an extended day at work, and don't remember where you put them. There are ways to avoid this from happening again. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and can connect to an app on your phone. lost car key will flash or ring when you open it to aid you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other people to assist you in locating them if your keys aren't in reach. You can also prevent losing your keys by putting them in the same spot every time you come home. It doesn't matter whether you place them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on an iron by the door. Making this routine a habit will help you locate your keys in the future. 8. Get a Replacement Key Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing is to inform your insurance company immediately. This way you'll be able to 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 purchase a new one from any hardware or locksmith. This is the quickest and least expensive solution. It might be more difficult for vehicles that have a smart key and require an electronic fob. You will likely have go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. Based on the make and model of your vehicle, this could cost anywhere from $200 to $300. To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key and keep it somewhere different from your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a good idea, particularly in areas where you can't find things.
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