Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You'll lose your keys at some point, no matter how organized you are. When this happens it's crucial to be prepared.

You should contact a locksmith, or go to a dealership, depending on the vehicle. These professionals can create keys for replacement for your vehicle.

1. Retract your steps

There are few things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause a lot of anxiety and even lead to unwanted calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone regardless of how organized you are.

The ideal scenario is that they show up exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). However it is possible for the situation to be more grave. It is crucial to keep your cool and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

Keep in mind that many things don't go unnoticed forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it's a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. Bring a flashlight with you to look through dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend to assist you in your search for items, because a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you're unable to locate your keys after retracing your steps and checking common places such as key hooks, examine the pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently were wearing or used. If you've lost them at a store, ask other customers or workers to see if they noticed anything out of the ordinary.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for keys missing may appear obvious but it is important to do it thoroughly. Clean out all pockets that you carry around including purses and jackets and be sure to check every zippered space. You should also check the recycling and trash bins to see if your keys have disappeared from your bag.

You could also retrace your footsteps and search in places you know the item isn't in, like the freezer or fridge. 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 had a tiring day and are eager to get home, put on your comfy sweats, eat some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys are missing.

While you're retracing your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered like desks and tabletops as well as the pockets of your clothes. It's also common to leave keys in a messy spot, such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've checked these places.

Under the car is another popular hiding spot. If you choose to hide your keys there, make sure that you can open the gas cap on your car from outside. If not, a burglar could be able to spot you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You can also store your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally crush them as you close the car door.

4. Call the police

Sometimes, we forget things simply because we're a bit distracted. You might be on the run for a few minutes and put your keys in the seat, or you might just require two hands free to grab a bag full of groceries. Whatever the reason it happens to every person.

It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you have lost anything. You can then submit a police report in order to protect your car from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost outside of your home, at the store, or in a public place.

Before you do this make sure you follow your steps. Recreate the scene from the time you last looked at your keys in your mind. Asking other people around you if they've seen your keys is also a good idea. This will keep your car secure and prevent others from using it. (This could result in costs like new locks for doors and ignition). It is a good idea, should you have an extra car key to duplicate it in the event that you lose it again.

5. Contact a Locksmith

Many people forget where they put their keys, particularly when they're stressed or distracted. There are a few easy tips you can use to help.

Start by retracing the steps you took and then searching for the locations where you think they might be. If you're unable to find them, try looking inside the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys in their visors or on the keychain.

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

Make sure you have proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. You can do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. Based on the circumstances you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which could take a few days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are instances that you'll lose your car keys and it can put a huge damper on your day. It could be because you were running a quick errand and accidentally left them on the seat or maybe you put your key down to grab something, but i lost the keys to my car track of it.

It is important to report lost keys as soon as you can to the police. This creates a paper trail and helps to stop people from using your vehicle without permission. It also stops you from getting penalized.

Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you are covered before filing an insurance claim.

Consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the numerous other options available. This will help you avoid the stress of having to replace your car keys, and Lost My Car Keys provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any time. You could be on a quick errand, and you forget to put them on the seat. Or, you might be leaving your car after a long workday and not remember where you put them.

Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. 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. The app will flash or ring when you open it to assist you in finding your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions to allow other users can help you locate them if you are not in range.

Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to always keep them in the same spot each time you return home. It doesn't matter if it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or on a hanger near the door, Lost My Car Keys keeping a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance company right away. You can be sure that your claim will be handled properly if anything happens to the vehicle in the future.

If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key it is easy to purchase an additional one from any hardware or locksmith. This is the quickest and least expensive solution.

It might be more difficult for cars that have smart keys and require an electronic fob. It is likely that you will need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. Based on the model and make of your vehicle, this could cost you upwards of $200.

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 office or home particularly in the areas where you are likely to lose things.