What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys
It can be frustrating to lose your car keys. Things are often lost in the shuffle between school pick-ups, grocery visits and other chores.
The most important thing to keep in mind is to not be in a panic. Finding the key is usually repeating your steps.
1. Retract your steps
It's not a secret that keys are among of the most common items that are lost. It can happen to anyone, whether you're running an adventure, distracted while getting out of your vehicle, or at home, trying to get ready for work and then dropping your keys. There are a few things you can do prior to calling a locksmith in case you've lost your keys.
First, you'll want to go back and trace your steps. It isn't easy to remember where you were when you last viewed your keys, and also where you went afterward. It may also help to record your steps, so that you can look them up in the future.
If you've tried searching in obvious locations but can't locate your keys you may need to look in other places. Examine your purses and pockets, as well as the home. Remember that your keys could be located nearby, but not in the location you'd expect. It may also be beneficial to search for your keys in the vicinity of other items they're typically connected to, such as laptops or purses.
If lost my car key tried all of these options and are still unable to locate your keys, it might be time to call an emergency locksmith on the 24 hour line. But before you do, try some of these tips to prevent your keys from disappearing in the future:
2. Get a spare key
Car keys have an amazing ability to disappear inside pockets of coats, under couch cushions, or disappear completely. In the past, this was no big issue since it was simple to get a new key at any hardware store or locksmith. But with advances in technology for key fobs it's becoming more difficult to obtain an alternative for keys that have been lost.
It's ideal to keep a spare key on hand. You won't need to call a tow truck and will be able to easily get your vehicle back if you lose your key. It is recommended to keep the spare key in a different spot than the usual keychain to ensure that it's not lost. If you don't have an extra key, think about having one made to minimize the possibility of losing your keys.
It is possible to get a traditional car key created by a locksmith or a dealership, based on the car's model. It is important to keep in mind that the dealer must program your key to match your car.
Many modern cars are equipped with keyless entry systems that allow you to unlock your car with a remote control. If you lose the fob, the only way to get it back is to go to the locksmith or dealer to help them match an alternative fob to your vehicle. To prevent this from happening, try to establish a routine to place your keys in the same spot every time you arrive home. You can put your keys in a bowl, or on a hook on the front porch, or in the entry table.
3. Empty Your Pockets
Losing your car keys is an extremely painful experience. It doesn't matter if you lost keys in the rush to get out of the house or your little ones hid them in the couch for a game of hide-and-seek, losing your car keys can leave you feeling frantic and helpless.
Luckily, panicking won't help you locate your keys. It could cause more problems. Instead, try to remain calm and follow the steps below to fix your issue as fast as you can.
Start by thinking back to your day and remembering the last time you were when you last saw them. If you remember that they were in your pocket, be sure to look through all of your bags and pockets thoroughly. You can also go through the steps you took to determine whether they were found in the world. You can also check your car, but you'll have to thoroughly search the interior and exterior.
If you've searched everywhere and can't locate your car keys, it's time for more advanced searches. This includes searching the fridge and freezer to find your keys. You'll need to shut and open each of these appliances and look around the inside, as you never know where small items may have been hiding.
Another way to prevent losing your car keys is to connect them to a long lanyard or chain. This will make it easier to locate keys because they're more noticeable and are longer. It is also beneficial to place your keys in a bright hue to make them stand out against other items in your bag or pockets.
4. Call the police
It's obvious that the first thing you must do after losing your car keys is to call the police. Notifying the police of your keys missing from your car immediately is crucial to ensure that you do not need to worry about someone using your vehicle, or even getting into your home. In addition, reporting your loss at an early stage will also help you in terms of insurance coverage since most policies cover the cost of locksmith and replacement keys at the dealership.
When you call the police, they'll be able to inform you that your keys have been discovered by someone or have been stolen. They'll also give you some tips on how to prevent the theft of your keys. If the keys aren't found, they will likely be asking you for information regarding the time you lost them and where you were before that.
Examine your bags, pockets and other places where you normally carry the key. After you've checked your pockets, bags and other places where you typically carry them, you should go back to the beginning of time to recall the time you lost keys. It's possible you put them on a counter or searched your bag to get something, and keys were thrown out.
If you have a transponder key that works electronically, it will need to be paired with the car, which can only be done at a dealership. This could cost a few hundred dollars, depending on your car's brand and model. You can also call emergency roadside service from GEICO and is available 24/7 through the GEICO mobile app. This service will save you time and money by providing a mobile locksmith for you.
5. Contact a Locksmith
When you're on the run and put your keys to your car in the trunk for a moment and they'll disappear. This is all too common, as lost keys are the 3rd most lost item in the United States1. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to prevent this from occurring. You can, however, take steps to lessen the chance of losing them.
The use of a spare key may assist, but it can't guarantee that you won't lose the original. A tracking device on your keychain will help you find your keys if they do get lost. A tracking device will send an alert to your phone when it detects an indication from your lost key, making it much easier to find.
If you cannot find your car keys, contact locksmiths who will come and replace them. The locksmith will be able create a new key on behalf of you, provided that you have proof that you are the owner, such as your car's title or registration.
Traditional keys are the simplest to replace, however if you have a smart key or remote key fob, you'll have to contact your dealer to get one custom-made specifically for you. You can also purchase replacement keys on the internet. But, ensure you check if the key can be programmed for your specific vehicle.
Losing your car keys could be a stressful experience, but it doesn't have to be. If you follow the suggestions that are listed above, you will be able to recover your keys and get back on the road. Just remember to keep calm, and don't panic! Remember that you are not alone. Everyone loses their keys at some time.