What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key
In the chaos of life - kids, errands, socializing with friends, and work - things get lost. It's not always the major things. Sometimes it's just the small things, like keys.
For most vehicles, a new key can be created at your local hardware store with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a cost-effective alternative.
Retract Your Steps
It can be a nightmare to lose your only car keys and not be able to get into your car. You could lose time, money and peace of mind. The first thing you need to do when you lose the only key to your vehicle is to be calm. The stress of panicking isn't going to help you locate your keys quicker, and it could even make things worse.
Start by trying remembering when you last seen them. They might have been lost when you brought groceries in or put them in your pocket as you were running an outing. Retracing your steps can aid in finding your keys in no time.
If trying to retrace your steps doesn't work, try noting down all the places you have been throughout the day. This could trigger your brain and give you the clue to locate your keys. Once you've written down all possible places your keys could be, make sure you make sure you check each spot. Sometimes keys "drift" to the floor, side or underneath something and you might just be in a position to retrieve them right where you left them.
Check Inside Your Car
Not so long ago the loss or misplacement of a car key wasn't a huge issue. Most people had a spare key that was attached to the car in a little box that was tacked to the inside of the bumper. Nevertheless, as cars become more technologically advanced, keys are more likely now to disappear. Replacing a lost or stolen car key could require several steps and could cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the type of car and the year of the model. It is important to always have a spare car key in case you lose your original.
Before you begin to panic about losing your sole car key, take your breath and try to remain calm. Once you've got your emotions under control, you can begin working through the steps. Retrace your steps and think about the last time you held keys in your hands. It's normal to hold keys while you reach for something else, and they may end up on the car on the floor, but you aren't able to see them.
Next, thoroughly search your vehicle. Pay particular attention to the areas where you usually place them. You might have accidentally thrown the items out of your bag or put them on your dashboard when you exited your car to go into a store.
Take a look in your pockets, purses and bags. It's easy to forget about things that are in the pockets of your coat or in a large bag, so make sure to empty them and look carefully through every crevice.
Call a locksmith for assistance when you're unable to locate your keys. If you have an old-fashioned metal key without any electronic components, you can get a replacement right away. However, if you have a modernized key fob that includes chips, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide evidence of ownership to obtain an exchange.
Make sure you are aware of your hide spots
It's easy to lose your keys when you're busy. If you were hurrying to leave or distracted by a sandwich while talking on the phone or forgot them, it is easy to lose them. The good news is that a lot of people have a spare key they keep in their home or office that can be easily located in the correct spot. It is crucial to examine every place where you've put your spare key. Included in this are obvious places such as a purse, backpack, a sofa pocket or a pile on your desk, or in a dresser drawer. If you have a friend with you, ask them to check these places too.
There are also magnetic boxes and mini-vaults designed to attach to your vehicle so that you can store a spare key in it. They are ideal for hiding keys as they won't fall off accidentally when driving over a bump and they also shield your keys from the elements. A lot of these storage devices come with combination locks, which means that even if you give the key to a relative they aren't able to access it without you.
A fake rock with an enclosed compartment is another method to conceal keys. This is a great option for outdoor areas. However, it is important to be aware of the fact that burglars are often looking for these items. If you do decide to employ this method you can try using dark duct tape to make it more difficult for thieves to detect.
One last place to look is the hood of your vehicle. If lost keys to my car have an ignition key that opens the cap on your gas tank, this can be a great spot to hide it because it won't be as obvious. Make sure you use a strong piece of tape to ensure that the key doesn't come off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to remove it.
There are ways to minimize the impact of lost car keys on your day-to-day life. By taking a few minutes to retract your steps by scouring all of the most common hiding spots, and calling an expert locksmith in your area to retrieve your keys and avoid losing any money or time.
Contact for a locksmith
If you don't have spare keys stashed somewhere, the best thing to do if you've lost the only car key you have is to contact a locksmith. They can assist you in recovering the key quickly and provide you with advice on how to avoid this occurring again in the future. You could also contact a local car key duplication business. However, they will need the exact make, model and year of your vehicle to duplicate a key.
You'll have to visit your dealer if your vehicle is an older model or is equipped with an electronic fob. This can be costly particularly if they have to order the correct key for your vehicle, and it can take a few days or even weeks.
One thing that a lot of people don't realize is that a professional locksmith can usually provide the same service as dealerships however at less cost. Many insurance policies also cover locksmith fees or towing in the case of a lost or stolen key, and some provide roadside assistance and send experts to your location to help you get back into your car.
It's important to verify the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before choosing a dealer. It's crucial to inform your car's owner as soon as possible, too. This will ensure that no one else will have access to your car without permission. It also keeps you safe in the event of being victimized by a robber or attacked. By notifying your keys, you will also alert police officers to anyone who might attempt to use your car illegally. In the event of a worst-case scenario, you could be protected from criminal charges if someone attempts to steal your vehicle. It is crucial not to panic if you have lost your only car keys. Try the above steps and, if needed get a family member or friend family to help.