10 Reasons Youll Need To Be Educated About Lost My Car Keys
Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do
Whatever way you are, there comes the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. When this happens it is crucial to be prepared.
Depending on the vehicle you have the first call you should make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. These experts can create an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle.
1. Retract Your Steps
There are few things more difficult than losing your car keys. lost keys can ruin your day, cause lots of stress and even trigger unsavory calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that happens to everyone regardless of how organized you are.
The ideal scenario is that they turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). In reality the situation could be much more grave. It is essential to remain calm and follow your steps if you lose your keys.
Keep in mind that many things aren't lost forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it is an ideal idea to retrace and search your steps. To do this, it's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you to help you search in dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to help you search, as another set of eyes can be helpful.
2. Check the Inside
If you've not found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking in common places like key hooks, look for them in pockets, bags and jackets you've worn or used recently. If you lost your keys in a shop check with other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something out of the ordinary.
It might seem obvious to check your pockets and bags for the missing car keys However, it's essential to do so thoroughly. Take out all pockets you carry such as those in jackets and purses and feel around every zippered area. It's also an excellent idea to go through the trash and recycling bins in case keys got lost in your bag and got crushed by something else.
It might be beneficial to retrace your steps once again and search places where you are sure they aren't like the fridge or freezer. Many times, items disappear when we go to them, but then slam them away and forget about them.
3. Check the Outside
You've put in the hours and are ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, eat pizza and on your favorite TV show. But, you discover that the keys to your car have disappeared.
Check pockets and desks that are overly filled with. It's also common to leave your keys behind in a congested area such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so make sure to thoroughly check those areas.
Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you choose to hide your keys there ensure that you can open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, a thief may be able to see the keys you have hidden under your car.
You might also try hiding your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to put them too tightly as you could accidentally smash them when you close the door.
4. Call the Police
We are prone to lose things when we are distracted. You may be on the run for a few minutes and put your keys in the seat, or you might require two hands to grab a bag full of groceries. It happens to everyone.
If you lose something, it is important to notify the police right immediately. You can then submit a police report in order to protect your car from thieves. This is crucial in the event that you have lost your keys outside your home, at the store or in public.
Be sure to retrace all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene that you experienced when you last saw your keys in your mind. It is also recommended to inquire of others in the vicinity if they have seen your car keys. This will help to keep your car safe and prevent other people from using it (which could result in additional expenses like new ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key, it's always a good idea to make copies of it in case something similar happens to you again.
5. Contact a locksmith
It's common for people to lose track of where they have put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a hurry. Luckily, there are several actions you can take to help.
Begin by retracing the steps you've taken and searching in the places you believe they may have been left. If you still can't find them, make sure you check your car. Many people have keys that are hanging from their keychains or the visor, so it's worth having a quick look.
Contact a locksmith to inquire if they can find your keys. They may be able to cut you a brand new key or even alter the locks on your home if needed. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.
If you do contact a locksmith, be prepared to show proof of ownership of your vehicle. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on the situation, you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which can take a number of days.
6. Call Your Insurance Agent
There are instances when you're unable to locate your car keys, and it can put a major damper on your day. It might be that you were running a quick task and left keys on the floor or perhaps you put your key down to grab something and lost the track of it.
It is crucial to report a lost key immediately to the police. This will create a paper record and prevent others from using your car without your permission. This can also allow you to avoid being fined.
If you've reported your keys as lost to the police, your homeowner's insurance may be able to take them in as personal property. However, it's still best to check with your agent to ensure you're covered before filing an claim.
Consider investing in a Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will prevent you from having to deal with the hassle of a car key replacement and give you peace of mind knowing your keys are always at hand.
7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker
You can lose your keys at any moment. You might be running a quick errand, and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long workday and forget where you placed keys.
There are ways to avoid this happening again. One of the best options is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices are attached to your keyring or wallet and can be connected to an app on the phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it to help you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers have community features that allow others to help you locate them if your keys are not in range.
You can also avoid losing your keys by placing them in the same place every time you arrive home. It doesn't matter whether you place them in a bowl on the table in the entryway or on an iron by the door. Making this a 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 is to notify your insurance company right away. This way, you can rest assured that your claim will be handled properly should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.
If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key it is easy to purchase a new one at any hardware or locksmith. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.
For modern vehicles with a smart key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a little more difficult. You will likely have go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain an entirely new key. This could cost you up to $200 depending on the model and make of your vehicle.
To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key and keep it somewhere other than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your house or office particularly in the areas that you tend to drop things.