Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
You'll lose your keys at some point, regardless of how organized you are. In the event of this happening it's crucial to be aware of what to do.
You should contact a locksmith, or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. These experts can create an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There aren't many things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create lots of stress and can even result in unpleasant phone calls from strangers. The loss of keys is a problem that could happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.
The best-case scenario would be that they appear exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). In lost a car key how to replace www.g28carkeys.co.uk is possible for the situation to be much more grave. It is crucial to stay calm and return to your path if you lose your keys.
Remember that many things are not lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. So, before taking extreme measures it's a good idea to revisit your steps and conduct a thorough search. To do this it's recommended to carry a flashlight with you to help you find dark areas and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to search with you to help you, as a second set of eyes can be beneficial.
2. Check the Inside
If you're still not finding your car keys after going back to your steps and looking at common locations like key hooks, look for them in bags, pockets and jackets that you've worn or used recently. If you've lost them in the store, ask employees or customers to see if they have noticed something unusual.
It may seem obvious to check your bags and pockets for your missing car keys, but it's important to do so thoroughly. Empty all of the pockets that you carry around including those in purses and jackets and check every zippered space. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to determine if your keys have fallen out of your bag.
It might be beneficial to retrace your steps once again and search places where you know they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many items get 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 you're eager to go home, change into your comfortable sweats, have some pizza, and binge-watch your favorite TV show. You find that your keys to your car are missing.
While you're going through your steps be sure to check out areas that are cluttered like desks and tabletops and also the pockets of your clothing items. You could also leave your keys in a busy area, such as the door handle or refrigerator.
Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. If you decide to choose to do this, ensure that you can remove the gas cap outside your vehicle as a thief could easily see you crouching beneath your vehicle to hide your keys.
You could also consider hiding your keys in a nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly as you may accidentally crush them when you close the door.
4. Call the police
Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we are just a bit distracted. You might be on the run for a few minutes and have your keys on the seat or you may require two hands to carry a load of food items. Whatever the reason it happens to every person.
If you lose something, it's important to call the police right away. You can then make a police report to protect your car from theft. This step is especially important if your keys are lost outside your home or at the store or somewhere else public.
Make sure to go through all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced when you last looked at your keys in your mind. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is a good idea. This will keep your car secure and prevent others from using it. (This could result in additional expenses such as new ignition locks and door locks). If you have a spare key, it's always recommended to create an exact copy of it in the event that this occurs again.
5. Contact a locksmith
It's normal for people to forget where they put their keys, especially when they are busy or distracted. There are a few simple ways to assist.
Start by retracing the steps you've already taken and searching for the areas in which you think they could be. 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.
Contact a locksmith and inquire if they can find your keys. They may be able cut keys for you or alter your locks, if necessary. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
Make sure you have proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle registration or title. You might have to wait for several days for a dealership to send you a replacement key depending on your situation.
6. Contact Your Insurance Agent
There are instances when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a huge impact on your day. It could be because you were running a quick task and left keys on the seat, or maybe you set your key down to grab something, but lost the track of it.
Reporting a stolen or lost key to the police as soon as you can is vital. This will leave a trail on paper and will help keep other people from using your vehicle without permission. It also stops you from being fined.
The homeowner's insurance policy could cover your keys if reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to call your agent and confirm that you are covered prior to making an insurance claim.
You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags Tiles, AirTags, or any of the other options available. This will save you from going through the hassle of a car key replacement and give you peace of mind knowing that your keys are always within reach.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least think about it. You could be running a quick errand and you forget to place them on the seat, or you might be getting out of your car after a long day at work, and don't remember where you put them.
There are ways to stop this from happening again. One of the best options is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be connected to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. The app will blink or ring once you open it to assist you in finding your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions to allow other people can help you locate them if you are out of range.
Another great way to avoid losing your keys is to place them in the same place every time you get home. It doesn't matter if you place them in an entry table or a hook by the door. Making this an habit will help you locate your keys in the future.
8. Get a New Key
Whether you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance provider right away. That way you can be assured that your claim will be handled in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a standard key (which doesn't have a chip) you can get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the fastest and most affordable solution.
For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that needs an electronic fob, it might be a little more difficult. It is likely that you will need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership to get a new key. Based on the make and model of your vehicle it could cost you upwards of $200.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key to keep it somewhere other than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your house or office, especially the place where you tend to lose things.