Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You will lose your keys at some point, regardless of how organized you are. If this happens, it's important to be prepared.

Depending on the vehicle you have the first call you must make is to a locksmith or a dealership. They can design a replacement key to fit your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more painful than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause anxiety and even trigger unwanted phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are an organized person or not the loss of your keys can occur to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they appear exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is the case). But, in reality, things tend to take a darker turn. It is essential to keep your cool and return to your path if you lose your keys.

It's also important to remember that most things aren't lost for ever, and are often found in some very unusual locations. Before resorting to extreme measures it is an ideal idea to retrace and search your steps. Bring a flashlight to search dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend or family member to join you in your search for a second pair of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you haven't found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking in the usual places, such as key hooks, look for them inside of pockets, bags, and jackets you wore or used recently. If you've lost them in the store, ask others who are customers or employees to see if they have noticed anything unusual.

It may seem obvious to check your pockets and bags for the missing car keys, but it's important to do it in a thorough manner. Clean out all pockets you have on you including those in jackets and purses and be sure to feel around every zippered area. You should also check the trash and recycling bins to see if your keys have disappeared from your bag.

It might be beneficial to go through your steps again and search places where you know they're not like the fridge or freezer. Sometimes, items disappear when we reach for them but then slam them away and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've worked hard all day and are ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, eat pizza and watch your favorite show. Unfortunately, you realize the keys to your car have disappeared.

Check pockets and desks that are overly packed. You may also leave your keys in a congested area, such as the door handle or refrigerator.

Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you decide to do this ensure that you can easily open the gas cap on your car from the outside. If not, a burglar could be able to spot you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You can also put your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Just be careful that you don't place them too tight as you might accidentally crush them as you close the car door.

4. Call the police

We can get lost when we are distracted. You could be running an errand that is quick, and you've left your keys on the seat. Or maybe you need two hands to carry the groceries. It happens to everyone.

It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you have lost anything. You can then file a police report to protect your car from theft. This step is especially important if your keys are lost outside of your home or at the store or at a location that is public.

Before you begin ensure that you go back to your steps. Recreate the scene you saw the time you last glimpsed your keys in your head. It's also an excellent idea to ask other people in the vicinity if they have seen your car keys. This will help keep your vehicle secure and prevent others from using it. (This could lead to costs like new locks for doors and ignition). It is a good idea, in the event that you have a spare car key to duplicate it in the event that you lose it again.

5. Contact an expert locksmith

Many people forget where they placed their keys, especially when they're busy or distracted. There are a few basic tips you can use to help.

Retrace your steps, and then searching for places you think you might have abandoned them. If you're unable to find them, try searching inside the car. Many people lose their keys that hang from their keychains or the visor and it's worth having a quick look.

Call a locksmith and ask whether they can locate your keys. They might be able to cut you a brand new key or even alter your locks if required. They also have the equipment and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Make sure you have proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. You can do this by using your vehicle's registration or title. Based on the circumstances you may have to wait for a new key from the dealership, which can take several days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

It is possible to lose your car keys at times and it can make your day miserable. It might be that you were running a quick run and forgot to put keys on the seat, or maybe you put your key down for a moment to grab something but lost track of it.

It is important to report a lost key replacement car key immediately to the police. This will create a paper record and prevent others from using your vehicle without your permission. This will also allow you to avoid being penalized.

The homeowner's insurance policy could cover your keys if reported them as lost to the local police. They are considered personal property. It's best to contact your agent and confirm that you are insured prior to making an insurance claim.

You might want to consider keeping an extra key or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags Tiles, Apple AirTags or the many other options available. This will save you from having to go through the stress 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

It is possible to lose your keys at any moment. You might be on the run and you forget to place them on the seat or may be getting out of your car after a long day at work, and don't remember where you put them.

There are ways to prevent this happening again. One of the best is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed 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. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions so that other users can help you locate them if they are lost.

You can also prevent losing your keys by placing them in the same place every time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if it's in the bowl on your entry table or on a hanger near the door, establishing an habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

It is crucial to inform your insurance company right away in the event that you lose your car keys or if they're stolen. So you can be at ease knowing that your claim will be handled correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard key (which does not contain chips) you can simply get an alternative from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and Lost My Car Keys least expensive solution.

For more modern cars with a smart key that needs an electronic fob, Lost My Car Keys it might be a bit more difficult. It is likely that you will need to go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. Based on the make and model of your car this could cost upwards of $200.

To avoid this, you should keep an extra set of keys in a different location than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, especially in areas where you're likely to lose things.