10 Apps That Can Help You Manage Your Lost My Car Keys

Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You will lose your keys at some point, no matter how well organized you are. It's important to be prepared for this scenario.

Depending on the vehicle you have the first call you must make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. These experts can design an alternative key for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, create lots of stress and can even result in unwanted calls from strangers. Losing your keys is something that can happen to anyone, regardless of how organized you are.

The best-case scenario is for them to turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the norm). In reality it is possible for the situation to be more serious. It is important to keep your cool and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

Remember that many things are not lost forever and can be found in the most unlikely places. So, before resorting to extreme measures, it's a good idea to revisit your steps and search thoroughly. Bring a flashlight to look through dark corners and drawers. You can also ask someone to assist you in your search for you, because a second pair of eyes can be extremely helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you haven't found your car keys after going back to your steps and looking at common locations like key hooks, search for them inside of pockets, bags, and jackets you wore or wore recently. If you lost your keys in a store and you are unsure of where to find them, ask other customers or employees if they have noticed something out of the ordinary.

Examining your bags and pockets for keys missing may appear obvious but it is important to do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, even those on purses and jackets. Feel around all zippered areas. It's also recommended to go through the recycling and trash bins in the event that keys got lost in your bag and were crushed by something else.

It may be helpful to go back again and search places where you know they're not like the fridge or freezer. Many things are lost when we look for something but then we take it away and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

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

Examine desks and pockets that are too packed. It's also not uncommon to leave your keys behind in a congested area, such as in a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure you've checked these places.

Another popular place to hide is under the car. If you choose to hide your keys under the car, make sure that you are able to open the gas cap on your car from the outside. If not, a burglar might be able see you hiding your keys under your car.

You can also hide your keys in a small nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to put them too tightly as they could be crushed when you shut the door.

4. Call the police

We are prone to get lost when we are distracted. You might be running a quick errand and you have put your keys in the seat, or you might require two hands free to carry a load of groceries. Whatever the reason it occurs to every person.

It is crucial to notify the police immediately if you lose anything. You can then submit a police report in order to protect your car from theft. This step is especially important if your keys are lost outside of your home, at the store, or somewhere else public.

Be sure to retrace all of your steps before you begin. Recreate the scene from when you last looked at your keys in your head. Asking other people around you if they've seen your keys is also a good idea. This will help keep your vehicle secure and prevent others from stealing it. (This could result in costs like new ignition locks and door locks). If you have a spare key it is always recommended to create copies of it in case this happens to you again.

5. Contact a Locksmith

Many people forget where they placed their keys, especially if they're stressed or distracted. Luckily, there are some things you can do to help.

Start by retracing the steps you took and searching for the areas in which you think they could be. If you're unable to locate them, consider checking in the car itself. Many people have keys that are hanging on the keychain or inside the visor It's a good idea to take taking a look.

Contact a locksmith and G28 inquire whether they can locate your keys. They might be able to cut you a key or change the locks if required. They also have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do contact a locksmith, make sure to provide proof of the 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

There are times that you'll lose your car keys, and it can put a major impact on your day. It might be that you were running an errand and accidentally left them on the seat or maybe you put your key down for a second to grab something but lost track of it.

It is crucial to report a lost key immediately to the police. This will create a paper record and will stop other people from using your vehicle without permission. It also prevents you from being punished.

Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if you have reported them as lost key to car to local police. They are considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent to confirm that you are insured prior to filing an insurance claim.

Keep an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags, Tiles or the many other options available. This will help you avoid having to go through the hassle of a car keys replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any moment. You could be out on an errand and you forget to put them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long working day and forget the place you put them.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the future. One of the best is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be connected to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it to aid you in finding your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions, so that others can assist you to locate them if you are out of range.

You can also prevent losing your keys by always putting them in the same place each time you get home. It doesn't matter if it's on your entry table or hung on a hook near the door, keeping an habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company immediately. That way, you can rest at ease knowing that your claim will be handled in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a regular key (which does not have chip) you can purchase a replacement at any hardware store or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and cheapest alternative.

For modern vehicles with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a little more difficult. It is likely that you will need visit the local dealership and provide proof of ownership in order to obtain a new key. This could cost you up to $200 depending on the model and make of your car.

To avoid this, you should keep a spare set of keys in a different place than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your office or home especially in areas that you tend to drop things.