Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Keys will be lost at some point, regardless of how organized you are. When this happens it is crucial to be prepared.

Depending on your vehicle the first phone call you must make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. These professionals can create an alternative key for your vehicle.

1. Retract your steps

There aren't many things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create anxiety and even cause you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that could happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.

The best-case scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). However, the situation can often be more serious. It is important to remain calm and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.

Remember that many things aren't lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. Before resorting to extreme measures it is a good idea for you to go back and trace your steps. Bring a flashlight to look through 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 haven't found your car keys after returning to your location and looking at common locations like key hooks, search for them inside of bags, pockets, and jackets you wore or used recently. If you lost them in the store, ask employees or customers to determine if they saw something unusual.

Examining your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem like common sense, but you should do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, even those on jackets and lost car keys near me purses. Examine every zippered area. It's also an excellent idea to go through the recycling and trash bin in case your keys got lost in your bag and got crushed by something other.

It may be helpful to retrace your steps once again and search places where you know they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many items are lost when we look for something but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a long day and just want to go home, change into your cozy sweats, eat some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys are missing.

While you're walking around, check overly cluttered spaces such as tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothes. You could also leave your keys in a congested area, such as the door handle or refrigerator.

Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. However, if you choose to do this, ensure that you are able to access the gas cap from outside your car as a thief could easily see you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys.

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 put them there too tight as you might accidentally smash them when you shut the car door.

4. Contact the police

We are prone to lose things when we are distracted. You may be doing a quick errand, and you've left your keys in the car seat. Or perhaps you need two hands to pick up an empty bag of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to everyone.

If you lose something, Lost car keys near Me it's important to call the police right immediately. This way, you will be able to file a report and help to keep your car safe from thieves. This step is especially crucial if you find your keys lost car keys near me outside of your house, at the store, or at a location that is public.

Before you begin make sure you go back to your steps. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from when you last observed them. It's also a good idea to ask other people in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help to keep your car safe and stop others from using it (which may result in extra costs such as new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea, if you have an extra car key to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.

5. Call a Locksmith

It's not uncommon for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, particularly when they are busy or distracted. There are some ways you can aid.

Retrace your steps and searching the places you think you might have abandoned them. If you still can't find them, make sure you check your car. It's not uncommon for people to lose their keys in the visor or on the keychain.

Call a locksmith and ask if they can find your keys. They might be able to cut you a brand new key or even change the locks on your home if needed. They have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

If you do contact locksmiths, be prepared to provide proof of ownership for your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. Depending on the situation, you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which could take a few days.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

There are times when you lose your car keys and it can put a huge impact on your day. You may have been running an easy errand and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you might have put them down to take a look at something and lost track.

Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will create a paper trail and will help keep others from using your vehicle without permission. This will also allow you to avoid being penalized.

If you've reported your keys as lost my car keys no spare to the police, your homeowner's insurance may be able to cover them as they're personal property. It's best to contact your agent and confirm that you're covered prior to making an insurance claim.

Keep an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the many other options available. This will save you the headache of replacing your car keys, and ensure that you always have your keys at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least expect it. You could be on an urgent errand, only to you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your car after a long workday and forget where you placed them.

There are ways to prevent this from happening again. One of the best is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be attached to a keyring or wallet and connect to an app on your phone. The app will flash or ring when you open it, to help you locate your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions to allow other people can help you locate them if they are out of range.

Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to put them in the same place each time you return home. It doesn't matter whether you put them in an entry table or an iron by the door. Making this a habit will help you locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a New Key

It is crucial to inform your insurance company right away when you lose your car keys, or if they are stolen. You can be certain that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the car in the future.

If you own a standard key (which doesn't have chip) you can simply get an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and most affordable solution.

It might be more difficult for cars equipped with an electronic key and an electronic fob. You'll have go to your local dealer to purchase a new key. Based on the make and model of your car it could cost of replacing lost car keys you upwards of $200.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key in your possession and keep it somewhere other than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you can't find things.