Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how well-organized you are, there will come a time when you lose your car keys. In the event of this happening, it's important to know what to do.

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 for your vehicle.

1. Retract your steps

There are few things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your day, cause an anxiety-filled day and can even result in unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are a meticulously organized person or not, losing your keys can occur to anyone.

The best case scenario is that they end up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is the case). But, in reality things tend to take a more gloomy turn. It is important to keep your cool and follow your steps if you lose your keys.

Remember that many things aren't lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it is a good idea for you to go back and trace your steps. Bring a flashlight with you to search for dark corners and drawers. You can also ask a friend or family member to help you search for a second pair of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after returning to your location and looking in the usual places, such as key hooks, look for them in bags, pockets and jackets that you've worn or wore recently. If you lost your keys in a store check with other shoppers or employees if they noticed something out of the ordinary.

It may seem obvious to look in your pockets and bags for your missing car keys, but it's important to do so thoroughly. Take out all pockets you carry such as those in jackets and purses, and make sure to look around every zippered area. It's also a good idea to comb through the recycling and trash bin in the event that your keys fell out of your bag and got crushed by something other.

It might be beneficial to go back time and look around for areas where you are sure they aren't, such as the refrigerator or freezer. Many items are lost when we search for something, but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are now ready to go home put on your comfy sweats, have pizza and binge watch your favorite show. You realize that your car keys have disappeared.

While you're walking around take a look at areas that are overly cluttered like tabletops and desks and also the pockets of your clothes. It's also common to leave your keys behind in a congested area like on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've thoroughly checked those areas.

Another favorite place to hide your keys is under the car. However, if you do this, make sure you open the gas cap from outside your car as thieves could easily spot you crouching under your vehicle to hide your keys there.

You can also hide your keys in a small nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to place them too tightly, as you may accidentally crush them when you shut the door.

4. Call the Police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we are just a little distracted. You could be on the run for a few minutes and have your keys in the seat, or you might just require two hands free to carry a load of food items. Whatever the reason, it happens to every person.

If you have lost something, it's crucial to call the police right immediately. This way, you will be able to submit a claim and help to keep your car safe from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your house at the grocery store, or in a public place.

Before you do this make sure you retrace your steps. Recreate the scene from the last time you glimpsed your keys in your head. It's also an excellent idea to ask other people in the area whether they've seen your car keys. This will help to keep your car safe and also stop others from using it (which may result in extra costs such as new door locks and ignition). If you have a spare key it's always recommended to create a copy of it in the event that this occurs again.

5. Contact a locksmith

It's common for people to forget where they put their keys, particularly when they are busy or distracted. Luckily, there are several things you can do to aid.

Begin by retracing the steps you've already taken and searching for the areas in which you think they could have been left. If you are still unable to locate them, check the car. Many people lose their keys hanging from the keychain or in the visor It's a good idea to take having a quick look.

Finally, contact locksmiths to see if they are able to assist you in finding your lost keys. They may be able make you a new key or even change the locks on your home if needed. They also have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to show proof of ownership when you contact a locksmith. You can use your vehicle's registration or title. Depending on your situation you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which can take several days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are times when you're unable to locate your car keys and it can put a massive downer on your day. It could be because you were running an run and forgot to put keys on the floor or perhaps you put your key down for a second to grab something and lost the track of it.

It is important to report a lost key as soon as you can to the police. This creates a paper trail and will help to stop people from using your vehicle without your permission. This will also ensure that you don't get fined.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police and your homeowner's insurance could be able to take them in as personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you're insured prior to making a claim.

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

7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker

Sometimes, you'll lose your keys at the time you least expect it. You might be running a quick errand, and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your car after a long working day and forget where you put keys.

There are ways to prevent this from happening again. One of the best is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be affixed to a keyring or wallet and can connect to an app on your smartphone. When you open the app it will ring or flash to help you locate your keys. These Bluetooth trackers come with community features that allow other people to assist you in locating them if your keys are not in range.

Another way to prevent losing your keys is to always place them in the same spot each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if put them in a bowl on the entry table or an iron by the door. Making this a habit will make it easier to locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

If you've lost car keys cost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company right away. You can be certain that your claim will be handled properly if anything happens to the car in the future.

If you have a regular key (which does not contain chips) you can get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is usually the quickest and least expensive option.

For more modern cars with a smart key lost car that requires an electronic fob, it might be a little more difficult. You'll likely need to go to the local dealership and provide proof of ownership to get a new key. It could cost you anywhere from $100 to $200, based on the make and model of your vehicle.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key in your possession and keep it somewhere different from your keys. Cleaning out your office or home is also a great idea, especially in the areas where you lose things.