What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys
Losing your car keys can be among the most stressful experiences you have. In the shuffle of school pick-ups, grocery store trips and other chores, things sometimes get lost.
The most important thing to keep in mind is not to get in a state of panic. Retracing your steps and searching for a long time will often lead to finding the most crucial element.
1. Retract Your Steps
It's no fact that keys are among the most commonly misplaced objects. It can happen to anyone, whether you're on an errand, distracted while getting out of your car or at home hurrying to get ready for work and dropping your keys. If you've lost your car keys, there are some things you can do before calling a locksmith help.
You'll need to retrace all your steps. It isn't easy to remember where you were when you last saw your keys, and where you went afterwards. You may find it beneficial to record the steps you completed to be able to search them later.
If you've gone back to the same spot and still can't find your car keys, it might be time to look in more obvious locations. Be sure to check any pockets or bags that you've been carrying around during the day, and in your home. Remember that your keys may be somewhere nearby - just not in the location you'd expect. You can also locate your keys by examining other items they are usually paired with like the laptop, purse or wallet.
If you've gone through all of these options but you're still not able to locate your keys, it might be time to call a 24-hour locksmith for help. But before you do, try these suggestions to prevent your keys from disappearing in the future.
2. Get a spare key
Car keys have an uncanny ability to disappear into pockets of coats, under couch cushions, or just disappear completely. In the past it wasn't a big problem since it was easy to obtain an additional key from any locksmith or hardware store. But with advances in technology for key fobs, it's become much more difficult to obtain the replacement keys for keys lost.
It is recommended to always have an extra car key in the go. A spare key can save you from calling a tow truck and will make getting your vehicle back in the event of losing your key much simpler. It is recommended to keep the spare key somewhere other than your keychain, so that it's not as easy to lose. If you don't have an extra key, think about making one to decrease the chances of losing your keys.
Depending on the model of your vehicle you may be able to have a traditional key created by a locksmith or dealership. It is crucial to remember that the dealer must program the key to fit your vehicle.
Many modern cars are equipped with keyless entry systems that allow you to unlock your car by using the remote control. This is also referred to as a "fob." If you lose your fob, the only way to get your car started again is to visit the locksmith or dealer and have them connect a new fob to your car. Try to make it a routine to place your keys in the same place every time you arrive home. It could be in the entry table or a bowl on your front porch, or even a hook near the door, it can aid in remembering the location of your keys and where they will be in the future.
3. Empty Your Pockets
It's an awful feeling to lose your car keys. You might feel helpless and frantic if you lose your car keys.
Luckily, panicking will not help you locate your keys. In fact, it can cause more trouble. Instead, try to remain calm and follow the steps below to fix your problem as quickly as you can.
Start by going back through your day and recollecting where you had them last. Check all your pockets and bags in case you remember they were in your wallet. You can also repeat your steps to see whether you've found them elsewhere. You can also check your vehicle, but you'll have to thoroughly search the interior and exterior.
If you've tried everything and still can't find your lost car keys then it's time to start more sophisticated searches. You can also search your freezer and fridge. You will need to open and shut both appliances and feel inside for small items.
Attaching your keys to a long chain or lanyard is a effective way to ensure you don't lose keys. This will help you keep track of them, and also make them more difficult to find because of the noise they make and the length of the lanyard or chain. You can also make your keys stand out by applying a bright hue.
4. Contact the police
The first step to take after losing your keys is to call the police. Notifying the police of your lost keys to the police immediately is essential to ensure that you don't have to worry about someone using your vehicle or even entering your home. Besides, reporting your loss in the early stages also benefits you in terms of insurance coverage as most policies will cover the cost of locksmith and replacement keys at the dealership.
They'll be able to inform you if they've discovered your keys or if they have been stolen when you call them. They will also give you some advice on how to prevent the theft of your keys. If your keys haven't been found, they'll likely request you to provide information about the time you lost them and what you were doing prior the incident occurred.
If you have an old-school metal key that doesn't operate electronically the first thing you should do is to look in your pockets, bags, and anywhere else you normally carry them. After you've done that then go back through your day and try to recall where you lost them. You might have dropped them on a table or your bag while reaching for something.
If you own transponder keys that operate electronically, it must be linked to the car and this can be done at the dealership. This can cost you a few hundred dollars or more, based on the model and brand of your vehicle. You can also ring up emergency roadside assistance from GEICO, always available via the GEICO mobile app. This service could save you time and money by providing an emergency locksmith on the move for you.
5. Contact for a locksmith
If you put your keys in your trunk while running errands, they could be easily lost. This scenario plays out often, since keys to cars that are lost are the 3rd most lost item in America1. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to stop this from happening. However, you can make steps to lessen your chance of losing them.
A spare key is a good idea but it does not guarantee that you won't lose the original. A keychain with a tracking device will assist you in finding your keys in the event that they are lost. A tracking device will send an alert to your phone whenever it detects the signal of your lost key and makes it easier to locate.
If you are unable to locate the keys to your car, contact locksmiths who will visit and replace them. If car lost key are able to provide proof of ownership, such as the registration or title of your vehicle A locksmith can create keys for you.
Traditional keys are the simplest to replace, however when you have a smart key or remote key fob, you'll need to contact your dealer to get one custom-made for you. You can also buy replacement keys online. But, ensure you check if the key is programmed for your specific vehicle.
Losing your car key can be stressful But it doesn't need to be. You can retrieve your keys by following the above tips. Remember to stay calm and don't panic! Keep in mind that you're not alone. Everyone loses their keys at some time.