Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Keys will be lost at some point, no matter how organized you are. It's crucial to be prepared for this scenario.

Depending on your vehicle, the first call you should make is to an auto locksmith or dealership. These professionals can make an appropriate replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract your steps

There aren't many things more frustrating than losing your car keys. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety, and even lead you to receive unwanted phone calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that could happen to anyone regardless of how well organized you are.

The best-case scenario would be that they appear exactly where you left them. (Parent Logic says this is always the case). But, in reality things can take a more dire turn. It is important to remain calm and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.

Keep in mind that many things aren't lost key in car forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. So, before taking extreme measures it's best to go back and search thoroughly. In order to do this, it's a good idea to bring a flashlight to aid you in searching dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to search with you, as another set of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you've not found your car keys after going back to your steps and looking at common locations like key hooks, look for them inside of bags, pockets and jackets you've worn or wore recently. If you lost your keys in a shop check with other shoppers or employees if they noticed something unusual.

Checking your pockets and bags for missing keys may seem obvious, but you should take the time to do it with care. Empty your pockets, including the ones on purses and jackets. Examine all zippered areas. Also, check the recycling and trash bins to see if any of your keys have fallen out of your bag.

You could also retrace your steps and look in places where you know it isn't in, like the freezer or fridge. Many times, items go missing when we reach for them but knock them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

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

Make sure you check your desks and pockets that are too cluttered. It's also not uncommon to lose your keys in a congested area like inside a door handle or in the refrigerator, so make sure to thoroughly check those places.

Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you choose to hide your keys there be sure you are able to open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, a thief may be able to see you hiding your keys beneath your car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a corner in the dashboard or under the seat. Be careful not to put them too tightly, as you could accidentally smash them when you close the door.

4. Contact the police

Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we are just a little bit distracted. You might be running an errand and have your keys on the seat, or you might require two hands free to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to everyone.

If you have lost something, it is important to call the police right immediately. You can then file a police report to protect your vehicle from thieves. This is particularly important if your keys are lost outside of your home or at the store or somewhere else public.

Before you do this, be sure to follow your steps. Recreate the scene from the time you last looked at your keys in your head. It's also a good idea to ask other people in the area if they have seen your car keys. This will keep your car secure and prevent others from using it. (This could lead to costs like new door locks and ignition). It is a good idea if you have a spare car key, to make a duplicate in case you lose it again.

5. Call an expert locksmith

It's common for people to forget where they've put their keys, especially when they are distracted or in a rush. Luckily, there are a few ways you can assist.

Begin by retracing the steps you took and then searching for the locations in which you think they could have been left. If you're unable to locate them, consider looking inside the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys under the visor or on the keychain.

Last but not least, contact locksmiths to see if they can help you find your lost keys. They might be able to cut you a new key or even change the locks on your home if needed. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

If you do contact locksmiths, be prepared to show proof of the ownership of your vehicle. This includes your vehicle's registration or title. It could take for several days for a dealership to send you a new key, dependent on the circumstances.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

It is possible to lose your keys to your car at times and it can make your day miserable. You could have been on a quick errand when you misplaced your keys on the seat, or you could have sat down to get something to grab for a second and lost key replacement car track.

Reporting a lost key to my car or stolen key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will create a paper record and will stop other people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also help you avoid getting penalized.

If you've reported your keys as lost my car key (official website) to the police the homeowner's insurance might cover them since they're considered personal property. However, it's still best to talk to your agent to confirm that you're covered before you file an claim.

You should consider buying the purchase of a Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will help you avoid the stress of having to replace your car keys and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys in reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least expect it. You could be running a quick errand and forget to put them down on the seat, or you may be getting out of your car after an exhausting day at work and you can't remember where you put them.

Luckily, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the near future. One of the best is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be attached to a wallet or keyring and can connect to an app on your phone. The app will blink or ring once you open it to aid you in finding your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also come with community functions so that other people can help you locate them if they are out of range.

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to put them in the same place every time you get home. If it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or on a hanger near the door, establishing a habit of this will make finding them easier in the future.

8. Find a replacement key

If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen the most important thing is to inform your insurance company right away. This way you can be sure that your claim will be handled in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard (non-chip) key you can purchase a new one from any hardware or locksmith. This is the quickest and least expensive solution.

It may be more difficult for cars equipped with an electronic key and an electronic fob. You'll need to visit your local dealer to get a replacement key. Based on the model and make of your car it could cost you upwards of $200.

To avoid this, make sure you have a spare key and keep it somewhere else than your keys. It's also a good idea to get rid of clutter in your house or office, especially the place that you tend to drop things.