Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You'll lose your keys at some point, no matter how organized you are. It's crucial to be prepared for this situation.

You should call an auto locksmith or a dealership, based on the vehicle. These experts can create an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.

1. Retract your steps

There are few things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety and even lead you to receive unsavory phonecalls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are a meticulously organized person or not, losing your keys can occur to anyone.

The best-case scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the norm). But, in reality things tend to take a darker direction. If you lose your keys, it is essential to remain calm and follow the steps.

It is important to keep in mind that the majority of things don't go missing forever, and they're often found in some very unusual places. So, before resorting to extreme measures, it's a good idea to retrace your steps and search thoroughly. To do this it's a good idea to bring a flashlight to help you search in dark areas and drawers. You can also ask someone to assist you, as a second pair eyes can be very beneficial.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not 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've worn or wore recently. If you've lost your keys in a shop and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they noticed something different.

The process of checking your bags and pockets for missing keys may appear obvious, but you should take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, even those on jackets and purses. Check all zippered areas. It's also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycling bin in case your keys got lost in your bag and were crushed by something other.

You can also retrace your footsteps and search in places you know the item isn't in, like the fridge or freezer. Many times, items go missing when we go to them, but then take them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've worked hard all day and are now ready to head home, put on your comfortable sweats, order pizza and binge watch your favorite show. You find that your keys to your car are missing.

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

Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. If you choose to hide your keys under the car ensure that you can easily open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, a thief could be able to spot the keys you have hidden under your car.

You can also hide your keys in a nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Be careful not to place them too tightly, as you may accidentally crush them when you close the door.

4. Call the Police

It is easy to get lost car key what to do when we are distracted. You might be on the run for a few minutes and put your keys on the seat, or you may require two hands free to carry a load of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to every person.

If you lose something, it is important to contact the police immediately. You can then make a police report to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is important if you lose your keys outside of your home, at the store or any other place in public.

Make sure you retrace every step before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced the last time you saw your keys in your mind. Asking people around you if they've seen your keys is another great idea. This will keep your car safe and deter others from using it. (This could lead to costs like new ignition locks and door locks). If you have a spare key it's always an excellent idea to make a copy of it in the event that this occurs again.

5. Contact a Locksmith

It's not uncommon for people to forget where they put their keys, especially when they're busy or distracted. There are a few basic tips you can use to assist.

Begin by retracing your steps and looking for areas you think you might have abandoned them. If you're unable to locate them, try looking inside the car. Many people have keys that are hanging from their keychains or the visor, so it's worth taking a look.

Contact a locksmith to inquire whether they have your keys. They might be able to cut keys or replace your locks, if necessary. They also have the tools and know-how to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

If you do call a locksmith, be prepared to show proof of ownership of your vehicle. This includes your registration or title. You might have to wait several days for a dealer to send you a replacement key, depending on your situation.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

It is possible to lose your car keys at times and it can make your day miserable. You may have been running an easy errand and misplaced your keys on the seat, or you might i have lost my car keys put them down to take a look at something and then lost key car track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as soon as you can is important. This creates a paper trail and will help keep people from using your vehicle without your permission. This will also ensure that you don't get punished.

If you've reported your keys as i lost the keys to my car to the police and your homeowner's insurance could be able to cover them as they're personal property. However, it's best to talk to your agent to ensure you're covered prior to filing an insurance claim.

Consider buying a Bluetooth tracking device, such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid going through the stress of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing your keys are always within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys at the time you least expect it. You might be running a quick errand and you forget to place them on the seat, or you might be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work and can't remember where you put them.

Fortunately, there are ways to stop this from happening in the future. One of the best ways is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your smartphone. When you launch the app, it will ring or flash to assist you find your keys. These Bluetooth trackers have community features that allow other people to help you locate the keys if they aren't in range.

You can also prevent losing your keys by putting them in the same spot each time you get home. It doesn't matter if it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or on a hanger near the door, making a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

It's important to notify your insurance company right away when you lose your car keys, or if they are stolen. You can be sure that your claim will be taken care of if something happens to the vehicle in the future.

If you already have an ordinary (non-chip) key, you can easily get an additional one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and least expensive alternative.

For cars that are more modern and have a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a little more difficult. You will need to visit your local dealer to purchase a new key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200 based on the model and make of your vehicle.

To prevent this from happening, keep a spare set of keys in a different place than your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a great idea, especially in areas where you can't find things.