What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

Things are lost a car key in the whirlwind of life: kids, errands and work, socializing with friends, and so on. It's not always the big things. Sometimes, it's the tiniest things such as keys.

For most cars keys, a new one can be made at the local hardware store, along with proof of ownership (car registration or title). This is a cost-effective option.

Retract Your Steps

There is nothing more frustrating than losing your only car key and not being able to access your vehicle. It can cost you time, money and peace of mind. But the first thing you need to do if you lose your only car key is to stay calm. Doing your best to panic is not going to help you locate your keys faster and can cause more damage.

Start by trying to remember when you last saw your keys. It could be as simple as putting them in your pocket as you stepped out of the car to do an errand, or they may have been dropped while carrying groceries into the house. You can find your keys by following your steps.

If you aren't able to retrace steps Try writing down all the places you visited during the day. This will help you remember where you went and could provide you with clues as to where your keys are. Double check every place you recorded. Sometimes keys "drift" to the floor, side or even under something and you might just be in a position to retrieve them exactly where you left them.

Take a look inside Your Car

In the past the idea of losing or misplacing a car key wasn't a huge issue. A majority of people had a spare attached to the car in a small container that was tacked to the inside of the bumper. However, as cars become more technologically advanced keys are more likely now to disappear. replacing lost car keys a replacing lost keys or stolen car key may require a number of steps and cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the kind of vehicle and year of the model. It's why it's essential to have a backup in case you ever do lose your car's only key.

Before you start freaking out about losing your only car key, take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Once you've calmed down you can go through the steps to locate it. Follow your steps and try to recall the last time you held your keys. It's not unusual to carry your keys while you grab other things, and sometimes they end up on the floor of your car where you can't see them.

The next step is to thoroughly search through your car, particularly the areas where you typically keep them. You might have left them on the dashboard as you stepped out of your car to go to a store or perhaps you walked into your bag to grab a snack and accidentally knocked them out.

Take a look in your pockets, purses and bags. You might forget to check your deep pockets or big bags.

If you're still unable to locate your keys, it's time to contact a locksmith and ask for help. If you have an old-fashioned key made of metal without any electronic components, you can get a replacement right away. If you have a key fob that has chip and is an older model, you will need to contact the dealership to get a new one.

Check Your Hide Spots

It doesn't matter if you were in a hurry to get out the door, distracted while trying to eat a sandwich or chat on the phone or you simply forgot your keys it's easy to lose them when you are distracted. The good news is that a lot of people have spare keys that they keep in their house or office that can easily be located in the correct spot. If you have a spare key, you need to examine all places you've previously kept them. This includes obvious places such as a backpack or purse, a pocket inside the sofa, a stack of mail on your table or a drawer on your dresser. If you have a family member with you, ask them to check these same spots as well.

There are a variety of magnetic boxes and mini-vaults designed to be affixed to your vehicle so that you can store a spare key in it. These are perfect for hiding keys, as they won't break when you drive on bumps and can protect your keys from the elements. Many of these storage devices also have combination locks, so that even if the key to a friend, they can't open it without you.

A fake rock with an enclosed compartment is another way to hide keys. This is a good idea for outdoor areas. However, you should be aware that burglars will often look for these items. If you decide to use this method you can try using dark duct tape to make it more difficult for thieves to spot.

One final place to check is the hood of your vehicle. It's a good spot to hide keys to the gas cap, if you have one. It won't be noticeable. Be sure to use a heavy-duty piece of tape so that the key doesn't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you go to remove it.

Car keys i lost my Only car key can be a huge hassle but there are ways to minimize the impact on your day-to-day life. You can locate your keys by retracing your steps and examining the most common hiding places. Contacting a locksmith in your area can help you avoid wasting time and money.

Contact a locksmith

Unless you have spare keys stashed in a safe place, the best thing to do if you lose your car keys is to contact a locksmith. They can assist you in retrieving it quickly, and also be able to advise you on how to prevent this from happening in the future. You can also try contacting the local key duplication business. However, they will require the exact brand, model, and year of your car to duplicate a key.

If your car is an older model, or utilizes an electronic key fob, you'll need to go to your dealer to request a replacement. This can be costly in particular when the dealer needs to obtain a new key to your vehicle. It could also take days or even weeks.

One thing that a lot of people do not realize is that an experienced locksmith can typically provide the same service as dealers, but at a fraction of the cost. Most insurance policies cover locksmith fees and towing in case of a lost key or stolen key. Some even offer roadside assistance, which will send professionals to you to assist you with getting into your vehicle.

It's worth checking the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before choosing a dealer. It's important to inform your car's owner as soon as possible, too. This ensures that no one else can be able to access your vehicle without permission, and it is also a way to protect yourself in the event that you are ever robbed or assaulted. Notifying your keys will allow police officers to be on watch for anyone trying to gain access to your vehicle in a way that is illegal. In the worst case scenario, you could be protected from criminal charges in the event that someone tries to steal your vehicle. It is essential not to panic if you lose the keys to your car. Instead, try the steps listed above, and enlist the help of a family member if needed.