What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys
Losing your car keys can be one of the most frustrating experiences you can endure. In the shuffle of school pick ups, grocery store trips and other chores, things often get lost.
The most important thing to remember is not to panic. Making a note of your steps and searching for a long time will often lead to finding the most important element.
1. Retract your Steps
It's not a secret that keys are one of the most frequently used items that are lost. It could 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 forgetting your keys. If you've lost keys to your car There are some options you can do before calling a locksmith help.
The first step is to go back and trace your steps. This can be difficult in a state of panic, but it's important to remember exactly where you last seen your keys and the places you visited following that. It might also be helpful to write down your steps, so that you can be able to refer back to them later on.
If you've gone back to the same spot and are still unable to locate your car keys, it might be time to look at more obvious places. Check lost car key with no spare and bags and also the home. Remember that your keys could be somewhere close by but they're not in a visible spot. You can also locate your keys by looking around other items they're typically paired with, such as a laptop, purse or wallet.
If you've tried all of these options and still can't find your keys, it could be time to call an emergency locksmith on the 24 hour line. Before you call a locksmith, you can try these suggestions to prevent your keys from disappearing once more.
2. Get an extra key
Car keys have an uncanny ability to disappear into pockets on coats, underneath couch cushions, or just plain vanish altogether. At one time it wasn't a big deal since it was easy to find an additional key from any hardware store or locksmith. However, with the advancements in technology for key fobs it's now much more difficult to obtain the replacement keys for keys lost.
It's recommended to keep a spare key handy. A spare key will save you from calling a tow truck, and will make getting your vehicle back if you happen to losing your key much easier. It is recommended to keep the spare key in a different place than your normal keychain so that it isn't as easily misplaced. If you don't have a spare key, you should consider getting one made to reduce the chance of losing your keys.
Depending on the model of your vehicle You can get traditional keys made by a locksmith or a dealership. It is crucial to remember that the dealer needs to program your key to match the vehicle you are driving.
Many modern cars are equipped with keyless entry systems that allow you to unlock your car by using a remote control. This is also referred to a "fob." If you lose your fob the only method to get your car running from scratch is to go to the dealer or a locksmith and let them pair a new fob with your car. To avoid this from happening, try to keep a routine of keep your keys in the same place every time you get home. Whether it's in the entry table or the bowl on your front porch, or even a hook on the door, it will help you remember where they are and how to find them in the future.
3. Empty Your Pockets
The loss of your car keys is an awful feeling. Whether you lost them in the rush to get out of the house or your little ones hid them in the couch to play hide-and-seek and then lost your keys to your car can make you feel anxious and overwhelmed.
Luckily, panicking will not help you locate your keys. It may even make things worse. Try to remain calm and use the steps below to find your keys as fast as you can.
Start by going back through your day and recalling the last time you used them. If you remember that they were in your pocket, be sure to check all of your pockets and bags thoroughly. You can also repeat the steps you followed to see if they were found anywhere else. You could also examine your vehicle, but you'll need to thoroughly search both the exterior and the interior.
If you've checked everywhere else but are unable to find your lost car keys It's time to move on to more sophisticated searches. You can also look in your freezer and fridge. You will need to open and shut the appliances and then feel inside to see if you can find small items.
Attaching your keys to a long chain or lanyard is another effective way to ensure you don't lose them. This will allow you to keep track of them as well as making them more difficult to misplace due to the noise they make and the length of the chain or lanyard. You can also make your keys stand out by using a bright colour.
4. Contact the police
It's evident that the first thing you need to do after losing your car keys is call the police. Reporting your lost keys to the police immediately is essential to ensure that you do not need to worry about someone using your car, or even getting into your home. In addition, reporting your loss at an early stage can also benefit you with regard to insurance coverage since most policies cover locksmith costs and even replacement keys at the dealership.
They'll be able to tell you if they have found your keys or if they've been taken when you call them. They'll also provide advice on some preventative steps to take. If the keys aren't found they'll likely be asking you for information about when you lost them and the location you were in prior to that.
Examine your bags, pockets and other places where you typically carry the key. Once you've done this take a walk through your day and try to remember the place you lost the keys. It's possible that you set them down on a counter, or went into your bag to grab something and the keys fell out.
This is only done by a dealer if you have a transponder working electronically. This could cost a few hundreds of dollars, based on your car's brand and model. You can also call emergency roadside service from GEICO which is always accessible through the GEICO mobile app. This service can save you money and time by sending an emergency locksmith on your mobile.
5. Contact for a locksmith
If you put your keys in the trunk when doing errands, they can be easily lost. This is a scenario that occurs all too often, as lost car keys are the third most lost item in America1. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to prevent this from happening. But you can take steps to reduce the chance of losing them.
A spare key can assist, but it can't guarantee that you will not lose the original. Having a tracking device on your keychain can aid in finding your keys should they get lost. A tracking device will send an alert to your smartphone when it detects a signal from your lost keys and makes it easier to find.
If you are unable to locate your car keys, you should contact locksmiths to come out and replace them. If you have evidence of ownership, for example the title or registration of your vehicle, a locksmith will be able to create keys for you.
Traditional keys are the simplest to replace, however if you have an intelligent key or remote key fob, you'll have to contact your dealer to have one made specifically for you. You can also purchase replacement keys on the internet. However, make sure you check if the key is programmed for the specific vehicle you own.
Losing your car keys could be a stressful event however it does not have to be. If you follow the suggestions given above, you can find your keys and be back on the road. Be calm and do not be in a panic! Be aware that you aren't all on your own. Everyone has lost their keys at one point in time.