Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You will lose your keys at some point, no matter how well organized you are. If this happens, it's important to be prepared.

Depending on the vehicle you have the first call you should make is to a locksmith or a dealership. They can design an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There aren't many things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create lots of stress and even lead to unpleasant calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not the loss of your keys can happen to anyone.

The best-case scenario would be that they return exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). In reality it is possible for the situation to be more serious. It is crucial to stay calm and return to your path if you lose your keys.

It's also important to remember that most things won't disappear forever, and they're often found in unusual locations. Therefore, Lost My Car Key before you resort to extreme measures it's a good idea to retrace your steps and search thoroughly. Bring a flashlight to search dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to search with you for a second pair 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 at common locations like key hooks, look for them in pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you've lost my car key them in a store, ask employees or customers to determine if they saw anything out of the ordinary.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for keys missing may seem obvious but it is important to do it thoroughly. Empty all of the pockets that you carry around including those in jackets and purses, and make sure to check every zippered space. It's also recommended to go through the trash and recycling bin in case your keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something other.

It might be beneficial to go through your steps again and search places where you know they're not, such as the refrigerator or freezer. Sometimes, items are lost when we go to them, but knock them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a long day and just want to get home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and watch your favorite show. You discover that your keys to your car are missing.

While you're walking around take a look at areas that are overly cluttered like desks and tabletops and also the pockets of your clothing items. It's also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a crowded spot like in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure to thoroughly check those places.

Under the car is another common place to hide. If you choose to hide your keys under the car ensure that you can open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, thieves may be able to see the keys you have hidden under your car.

You can also hide your keys in a corner on the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly as they could be crushed when you close the door.

4. Call the Police

Sometimes, we lose things because we're a little distracted. You could be running an easy errand and you have left your keys in the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to grab an empty bag of food items. It happens to all of us.

When you lose something, it's crucial to call the police right immediately. This way, you will be able to make a report and help keep your car safe from thieves. This is essential when you have lost your keys outside your home, at the shop or any other place in public.

Be sure to retrace all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced the time you last saw your keys in your head. Asking other people around you if they've seen your keys is another excellent idea. This will help to keep your car secure and stop others from stealing it (which could lead to additional costs like replacing ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key it's always a good idea to make copies of it in case something similar happens to you again.

5. Contact for a locksmith

People often forget where they placed their keys, especially if they're distracted or in a rush. There are a few simple tips you can use to assist.

Start by retracing your steps and searching the places you think you might have left them. If you're still unable to locate them, consider searching inside the car. Many people lose their keys hanging on the keychain or inside the visor and it's worth a quick look in there.

Contact a locksmith and inquire whether they can locate your keys. They may be able to cut you a brand new key or even alter your locks if necessary. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to show proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. You can do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. Based on the circumstances you may have to wait for a new key from the dealership which can take several days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

There are occasions when you're unable to locate your car keys and it can put a major downer on your day. You may have been running a quick errand when you accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you could have put them down to get something to grab for a second and lost car key with no spare track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as quickly as you can is vital. This creates a paper trail and will help prevent people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also prevents you from being fined.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police, your homeowner's insurance may be able to take them in as personal property. But, it's advisable to speak with your agent to make sure you're covered before filing a claim.

You should consider investing in a Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you the stress of having to replace your car keys, and ensure that you always have your keys within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Keys can be lost at any moment. You might be running an errand and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your car after a long workday and forget the place you put the keys.

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 can connect to an app on your phone. When you open the app it will sound or flash to assist you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other people to assist you in locating them if your keys are not in reach.

Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to always put them in the same spot each time you arrive home. Whether it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or hung on a hook near the door, keeping an habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Get a New Key

If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company immediately. So you'll be able to rest sure that your claim will be dealt with in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

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

For modern vehicles with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it could be a little more difficult. It is likely that you will need go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership to get an updated key. This could cost you up to $200 depending on the make and model of your car.

To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to declutter your house or office particularly in the areas where you tend to lose things.