What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key Things are lost in the whirlwind that is life including kids, errands, work socializing with friends etc. It's not always the big stuff. Sometimes, it's the little things like keys. A new key for the majority of automobiles can be made at the local hardware store if you have proof of ownership. This is a cost-effective option. Retract Your Steps It's a pain to lose your only car keys and not be able to enter your vehicle. It could cost you time, money and peace of mind. The first thing to do when you lose the only key to your vehicle is to stay calm. Doing your best to panic isn't going to help you locate your keys any faster, and could cause more damage. Start by trying to remember when you last had your keys. It could be as easy as putting them in your pocket when you hopped out of your car to run an appointment, or they might be missing while taking groceries inside. Retracing your steps can help you find your keys in a matter of minutes. If retracing steps doesn't work, try writing all the places you visited throughout the day. This will help you to remember where you went and may give you clues as to where your keys are. After you've written down all the possible spots your keys could be, double check each place again. Sometimes keys drift to the floor, side or under something, and you might just be capable of picking them up exactly where you left them. Take a look inside Your Car It wasn't that long ago that misplacing, or losing, a car key was not a big deal. In the past, a majority of people kept a spare key in a small box that was attached to their car. Nowadays, however, cars are getting more technologically advanced and keys are more likely to be lost. Replacing a stolen or lost car key can take several steps and cost hundreds of dollars depending on the type of vehicle and year of manufacture. It's important to always keep a spare car key in case you lose your original. Take an exhale before you get anxious about losing your one car key. Try to remain calm. Once you've calmed down, you can work through the steps to locate it. Retrace your steps and think about the last time you held keys in your hands. It's not uncommon to juggle your keys as you grab other things, and often they end on the floor of your car where you don't even see them. Next, thoroughly search your vehicle. Be sure to pay attention to the places you typically put them. You may have accidentally knocked the items out of your bag or put them on your car's dashboard when you left your vehicle to go to an establishment. Also, you should look through your purses, pockets, and bags. You may forget to check your deep pockets or large bags. If you're still having trouble finding your keys, you need to contact a locksmith and ask for help. If you own an old-fashioned metal key that has no electronic components, a locksmith can usually create a new one right on the spot. If, however, you own a more modern key fob that has chips, you'll need to contact your dealer and possibly provide evidence of ownership to obtain a replacement. Be aware of your hiding spots It's easy to forget your keys when you're occupied. It doesn't matter if you were rushing to leave or distracted by a sandwich while you talked on the phone, or you forgot them, it's easy to lose keys. It's a good thing that the majority of people have an extra key at their home or workplace that they can easily find. If you have a spare key, you need to check all of the places where you have previously kept them. Included in this are obvious places such as a purse, backpack or a sofa pocket or even a stack on your desk, or in a dresser drawer. If you have a family member with you, ask them to check these same spots as well. There are magnetic boxes as well as mini vaults that you could put on your vehicle to store a spare key. These are ideal for hiding keys, as they won't break when you drive on bumps and can protect your keys from the elements. Many of these storage units also have combination locks, so even if someone has access to the key and opens the door, they won't be capable of opening it without your help. Another trick to hide keys is to buy fake rocks with a compartment that is hidden. This is a good option for outdoor areas. However, you must be aware of the fact that burglars will often look for these items. If you do opt to go this route make sure you use dark duct tape to make it more difficult for thieves to spot. One last place to look is the hood of your vehicle. This is a good place to conceal keys for the gas cap if you have one. It won't be visible. Make sure you use a heavy-duty piece of tape so that the key won't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you attempt to take it out. Car keys lost can be a huge hassle however, there are ways to lessen the impact they have on your daily life. You can locate your keys by retracing Your Steps and checking the most frequent hiding spots. Calling a local locksmith can assist you in avoiding wasting time and money. Call an expert locksmith If you've lost your car key You should contact locksmith. They can help you recover the lost key quickly, and give you tips on how to prevent this occurring again in the future. You can also try contacting an auto key duplicate business. However, they will require the exact model, make, model and year of your car to duplicate a key. If your car is a more recent model, or if it has a smart key fob, you'll have to visit your dealer to request a replacement. This can be expensive in particular when the dealer must purchase a new key for your vehicle. It could also take days or weeks. A thing that many don't know is that a professional locksmith can usually offer the same services as dealers but at less cost. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith costs and towing in case of a lost key or stolen keys. Some even provide roadside assistance, which can send professionals to you to assist you with getting into your car. It is important to check the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance prior to selecting the dealer. It is also important to inform the police as soon as you can. This will help to ensure that your vehicle is not used without permission and you will be protected in the event of a robbery, or assault. Notifying your keys will allow police officers to be on looking for anyone who might try to use your vehicle illegally. In the event of a worst-case scenario, you could be protected from criminal charges if someone tries to steal your vehicle. It is essential not to be frightened if you lose your car keys. Instead, you should follow the steps above and ask for the help of a family member if needed.
lost car key
