Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
No matter how organized you are, there comes the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. It is important to be prepared for this situation.
You should call a locksmith, or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. These professionals can create a replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There aren't many things more difficult than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety, and even lead you to receive unpleasant phone calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can 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 always the case). However, in reality, things often take a much darker turn. It is essential 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 located in the most unlikely places. Before resorting to extreme measures it is a good idea for you to go back and look over your steps. To do this, it's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you to help you find dark areas and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to help you search, as another 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 pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or used recently. If you lost them in a store, ask others who are customers or employees to see if they have noticed something unusual.
Examining your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem obvious, but you should do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, including the ones on purses and jackets. Feel around every zippered area. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to see if any of your keys have disappeared from your bag.
It might be beneficial to retrace your steps once again and search places where you know they're not like the freezer or refrigerator. Many items are lost when we look for something but then we take it away and then forget about it.
3. Check the Outside
You've had a tough day and just want to go home, put on your comfy sweats, eat pizza, and watch your favorite TV show. You realize that your keys to your car are missing.
Examine desks and pockets that are overly cluttered. It's also common to leave your keys behind in a crowded spot like in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so be sure to thoroughly check those areas.
Another popular place to hide is under the car. If lost my car key choose to hide your keys there ensure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, a thief may be able to see you hiding your keys under your car.
You can also store your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Just be careful that you don't put them there too tightly or you'll accidentally smash them when you shut the car door.
4. Contact lost key to car is easy to get lost when we are distracted. You might be running an errand that is quick, and you have left your keys in the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to pick up a bag of groceries. Whatever the reason, it happens to every person.
It is important to contact the police immediately if you have lost any item. You can then file a police report to protect your car from theft. This is particularly crucial if you find your keys lost outside your home or at the store or in a public place.
Before you do this, be sure to follow your steps. Recreate the scene that you experienced the last time you saw your keys in your head. Asking other people around you whether they've seen your keys is also a great idea. This will help to keep your car secure and prevent others from stealing it (which could result in additional costs like replacing ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key, it's always a good idea to make an exact copy of it in case something similar occurs again.
5. Contact a Locksmith
Many people forget where they put their keys, particularly when they're stressed or distracted. There are a few ways you can help.
Retrace the steps you've taken and searching in the places in which you think they could have been left. If you're still not able to locate them, look in the 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 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 expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.
If you do contact locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of ownership for your vehicle. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on the situation, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership which can take a number of days.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
You might lose your keys to your car at times and it can make your day miserable. You could have been on a quick errand when you misplaced your keys on the seat, or you may have sat down to grab something for a moment and then lost track.
Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is vital. This will leave a trail on paper and can to stop people from using your vehicle without your permission. It also stops you from getting penalized.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police, your homeowner's insurance may be able to cover them as they're personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent to confirm that you are covered before filing a claim.
You should consider buying a Bluetooth tracking device, such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you the hassle of having to replace 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 at the time you least think about it. You might be on the run and you forget to place them on the seat or might be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work and you can't remember where you put them.
Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening again in the future. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices are connected to your wallet or keyring and can be connected to an app for your phone. The app will flash or ring once you open it to help you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other users to help you locate the keys if they aren't in 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 place them in a bowl on the table or hang them on an iron by the door. Making please click the next webpage will help you locate your keys in the future.
8. Find a replacement key
If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen the most important thing to do is to inform your insurance provider immediately. So you can be assured that your claim will be handled properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you have a standard (non-chip) key, you can easily get an additional one from any hardware or locksmith. This is typically the fastest and most affordable option.
It might be more difficult for vehicles with an electronic key and an electronic fob. You'll likely need go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. Depending on the make and model of your car it could cost you upwards of $200.
To prevent this from happening, keep a spare set of keys in a different location than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a good idea, especially in areas where you can't find things.