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Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do No matter how well-organized you are, there's the time that you'll have to lose your car keys. When this happens, it's important to be aware of what to do. Depending on the vehicle you have the first call you need to make is a locksmith or a dealership. They can design 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 day, cause lots of stress and even lead to unpleasant phone calls from strangers. The loss of your keys is something that could 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). But, in reality things can take a darker turn. When you lose your keys, it's important to remain calm and retrace the steps. Remember that many things don't go unnoticed forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. Before resorting to extreme measures it is an ideal idea to retrace and search your steps. To do this, it's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you to help you find dark areas and drawers. You could also ask a friend or family member to help you search for a second pair of eyes can be helpful. 2. Check the Inside If you haven't found your car keys after retracing your steps and checking at common locations like key hooks, look for them inside of pockets, bags and jackets you've worn or used recently. If you've lost them in the store, talk to others who are customers or employees to see if they have noticed anything out of the ordinary. Examining your bags and pockets for missing keys may seem like common sense but it is important to do it thoroughly. Empty your pockets, including those on purses and jackets. Feel around the zippered areas. It's also recommended to go through the recycling and trash bins in the event that keys fell out of your bag and got crushed by something else. It might be beneficial to go back time and look around for areas where you are sure they aren't like the freezer or refrigerator. Many times, items disappear when we reach for them but then slam them away and forget about them. 3. Check the Outside You've been working hard all day and are now ready to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, order pizza and on your favorite TV show. You find that your car keys are missing. Check pockets and desks that are too filled with. You could also leave your keys in a crowded area, such as the door handle or refrigerator. Under the car is another popular hiding spot. However, if you do this, make sure you can access the gas cap from outside your vehicle as a thief could easily see you crouched under your car to hide your keys there. You can also store your keys in an nook on the dashboard or under the seats. Make sure you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally crush them as you close the car door. 4. Call the police Sometimes, we get distracted and lose things because we are just a little bit distracted. You could be running a quick errand and you have put your keys on the seat, or you may need two free hands to grab a bag full of food items. It happens to every person. If you lose something, it is important to contact the police away. You can then submit a police report in order to help protect your car from theft. This step is especially important if your keys are lost outside your home at the grocery store, or at a location that is public. Before you begin ensure that you follow your steps. Recreate the scene you saw when you last looked at your keys in your mind. It's also recommended to inquire of other people in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help keep your car secure and also stop other people from using it (which could lead to additional costs such as new ignition and door locks). If you have a spare key it's recommended to create copies of it in case this happens to you again. 5. Call a Locksmith It's common for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they are distracted or in a rush. There are, however, several actions you can take to help. Start by retracing your steps and searching the areas you think you might have left them. If you are still unable to locate them, make sure you check your car. Many people have keys that are hanging from the keychain or in the visor It's a good idea to take a quick look in there. Last but not least, contact a locksmith to see if they can assist you in finding your keys that have disappeared. They might be able to make you a new key or even change your locks if required. They have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors. When you do call a locksmith, make sure to provide proof of the ownership of your vehicle. This includes your registration or title. Based on the circumstances you may need to wait for a replacement key from the dealership which could take a few days. 6. Call Your Insurance Agent You may lose your keys to your car at times and it can make your day miserable. It could be because you were running a quick task and left them on the seat or maybe you set your key down to grab something, but lost the track of it. It is crucial to report a lost key as soon as you can to the police. This will leave a trail on paper and can keep people from using your vehicle without permission. This can also ensure that you don't get fined. Your homeowner's insurance may cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you are insured prior to filing a claim. Consider keeping an extra key or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags, Tiles or any of the other options available. This will save you from going through the stress of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always within reach. 7. Get a Bluetooth Key Tracker Sometimes, you'll lose your keys when you least think about it. You could be out on an urgent errand, only to forget to place them on the seat. Or, you might be leaving your car after a long day at work and not remember the place you put keys. There are ways to prevent this happening again. The best way to do this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices are attached to your wallet or keyring, and can connect with an app on your phone. Once you open the app it will sound or flash to assist you find your keys. A majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions, so that other users can help you find them if they are not in range. You can also prevent losing your keys by placing them in the same place every time you come home. It doesn't matter if it's on the table in your entryway or on a hook near the door, keeping a habit of this will make it easier to locate them in the future. 8. Get a Replacement Key It is crucial to inform your insurance company right away if you lose your car keys, or if they are stolen. You can be sure that your claim will get taken care of if something happens to the vehicle in the future. If you have a regular key (which does not have chip) you can get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and cheapest solution. For cars that are more modern and have an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it could be a bit more challenging. lost vehicle key replacement is likely that you will need visit your local dealership and show proof of ownership to get an updated key. Depending on the model and make of your car this could cost upwards of $200. To avoid this, keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. De-cluttering your office or home is also a great idea, particularly in areas where you're likely to lose things.