What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys
It can be quite frustrating to lose your car keys. In the shuffle of school pick ups, grocery store trips, and other chores, things sometimes get lost.
The most important thing to remember is not to panic. The process of retracing your steps and looking for a long time will often lead to finding the most important element.
1. Retract your steps
It's no secret that keys are among the most frequently lost items. It is a possibility for anyone, no matter if you're running an errand, distracted when you get out of your vehicle or at home rushing to get ready for work and forgetting your keys. There are a few steps you can take before calling a locksmith in case you've lost your keys.
In the beginning, you'll need to go back and trace your steps. It isn't easy to remember where you were when you last saw your keys, or where you went afterward. It can also be helpful to note down your steps, to be able to look them up in the future.
If you've tried retracing your steps and still can't find your car keys, it might be time to start looking in more obvious places. Check your bags or pockets that you've been wearing during the day, and in your home. Remember, your keys could be somewhere close by They're just not in a visible spot. It could also be helpful to search for your keys in the vicinity of other items they are typically connected to, such as a laptop or purse.
If you have tried every option but still cannot find your keys, then it's time for an emergency locksmith that is available 24 hours a day. But before you call, consider these suggestions to prevent your keys from disappearing in the future:
2. Get a Spare Key
It is not uncommon for keys from cars to disappear from coat pockets or couch cushions all by themselves. It was once simple to replace keys that were lost at any locksmith or hardware store. With the advent of key fob technology it is now much more difficult to replace keys lost.
It is advisable to keep a spare car key on the go. You won't have to call a tow-truck, and will be able to get your vehicle back if you lose your keys. It is recommended to keep the spare key in a different location than your normal keychain to ensure that it's not lost. If you don't have a spare key, consider getting one made to reduce the possibility of losing your keys.
Depending on the model of your car you may be able to have a traditional key made by a locksmith or dealership. However, it is important to remember that the dealer may have to program the key for your specific vehicle.
Many modern cars are equipped with keyless entry systems that allows you to unlock the car using the remote control device. This is also referred to as a "fob." If you lose your fob the only way to get your car running again is to visit the locksmith or dealer and let them connect a new fob to your car. Try to make it a habit to put your keys in the same place every when you return home. You can put your keys in a bowl or a hook on the front porch or in the entry table.
3. Empty your Pockets
The loss of your car keys is an awful feeling. It doesn't matter if you dropped them in the rush to get out of the house or your little ones hid them in the couch to play hide-and-seek, losing your car keys can make you feel frantic and helpless.
Panicking won't solve your problem and may even cause it to get worse. Try to remain calm and follow the steps below to locate your keys as fast as you can.
Start by thinking back to your day and recalling the last spot you visited them. Examine all of your pockets and bags in case you remember they were in your wallet. You can also retrace the steps you took to determine whether they were found in the world. Also, you can look inside your car to determine if they've been left there, but you'll need to thoroughly search both the interior and exterior of your vehicle.
If you've looked everywhere else but are unable to find your lost car keys, it's time to begin more sophisticated searches. You can also look in your freezer and fridge. You will have to shut and open both appliances and feel inside as you may find small items.
Attaching your keys to a long chain or lanyard is another effective way to ensure you don't lose keys. This will allow you to keep track of them, as well as making them harder to lose due to the sound they make and the length of the chain or lanyard. You can also make your keys stand out applying a bright hue.
4. Call the Police
The most obvious step after losing your keys is to contact the police. It is essential to report lost car keys as soon as you lose them so that you don't have any issues with someone who is using your vehicle or entering your home. Reporting your loss early can also benefit you in terms insurance coverage, since most policies cover locksmith costs and even replacement keys from dealerships.
They will be able inform you if they've found your keys or if they've been stolen when you contact them. They will also give you some advice on how to avoid the theft of your keys. If your keys haven't yet been discovered, they'll likely ask you to give details of the date you lost them as well as what you were doing prior that happened.
Examine your bags, pockets and other places you usually carry the key. After you've looked over your pockets, bags and other places where you typically carry them, go back in time to try to recall the time you lost keys. You might have dropped them on a table or in your bag after reaching for something.
If you own a transponder key that works electronically, it will need to be linked to the car, which can only be done at a dealership. This could cost a few hundred dollars, depending on the brand and model. You can also contact emergency roadside service from GEICO, always available via the GEICO mobile app. This service can help you save money and time by sending an emergency locksmith on your mobile.
5. Call an expert locksmith
If you put your keys in the trunk when running errands, they could quickly disappear. This is a scenario that occurs often, since keys missing from cars are the third most lost item in America1. Unfortunately, you can't always stop this from happening. But you can take steps to minimize your chance of losing them.
A spare key is a good idea however, it isn't a ensure that you will not lose the original. A tracking device on your keychain could help you find your keys in the event that they disappear. A tracking device will send an alert to your smartphone when it detects an indication from the key you lost which makes it much easier to locate.
If you can't locate your car keys you should contact an locksmith to come and replace the keys. If you can provide evidence of ownership, such as the title or registration of your vehicle the locksmith will be able create keys for you.
Traditional keys are the easiest to replace, however if you have a smart key or remote key fob, you'll need to contact your dealership to get one custom-made for you. You can also purchase replacement keys online, but make sure to verify whether the key you purchase can be programmed to the specific vehicle you own.
Losing your car keys can be a stressful event however it does not have to be. You can get your keys back by following the tips above. Just remember to keep calm, and don't panic! Keep in lost key replacement car that you're not alone. Everyone has lost their keys at one point in time.