What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key
Things are lost in the chaos that is life including kids, errands, work socializing with friends, and so on. Sometimes it's the small stuff, like keys.
For most vehicles keys, a new one can be made at your local hardware store along 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 car's only keys and not be able to enter your vehicle. It could cost you time, money and peace of mind. The first thing you need to do in the event that you lose the only key to your vehicle is to remain calm. Doing your best to panic is not going to help you locate your keys quicker and could cause more damage.
Start by trying to remember when you last saw your keys. It could be as easy as having them in your pocket when you hopped out of your car to run an run, or they could have been dropped while carrying groceries into the house. You can find your keys by following your steps.
If retracing your steps does not work, try noting down all the places you've visited throughout the day. This will help you to remember where you were and could provide you with clues as to where your keys are. Make sure you check every location you recorded. Sometimes, keys "drift" to the floor, side or even under something and you may be capable of picking them up right where you left them.
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, most people kept spare keys in a small, tin-like box that was that was attached to their car. However, as cars get more technologically advanced, keys are more likely to disappear. Replacing a stolen or lost car key could require several steps and can cost hundreds of dollars, based on the kind of vehicle and the year of its model. It is essential to have a spare car key in case you lose your original.
Before you begin to panic about losing your only car key, take an exhale and try to stay calm. Once you've got your emotions under control, you can work through the steps to locate it. Retrace your steps, and try to recall the last time you held the keys. It's not uncommon to juggle your keys while you grab other things, and sometimes they end up on the floor of your car where they aren't visible.
Next, thoroughly search your vehicle. Pay particular focus on the areas you typically place them. You may have put them on the dashboard when you got out of your car to run into a shop or perhaps you walked into your bag to grab some snacks, but accidentally knocked them out of there.
Check your pockets, purses and bags. You may forget to check your deep pockets or large bags.
Contact a locksmith when you're unable to find your keys. If you have a traditional metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith could usually make you a new one on the spot. If, however, you own an older key fob with chips, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership to get a replacement.
Check Your Hide Spots
It doesn't matter if you were in a rush to get out of the door or distracted while trying to eat a sandwich and call or even forgot your keys It's easy to forget them when you are distracted. The good thing is that the majority of people have a spare key that they keep in their home or office that can be easily located in the right place. It is crucial to examine every place you've hidden your spare key. These include obvious places such as backpacks, purses, 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 places too.
There are a variety of magnetic boxes and mini-vaults made to stick onto your vehicle to allow you to store a spare key in it. They are great for hiding keys as they can't be knocked off accidentally when driving over a bump and they also shield your keys from the elements. A lot of these storage units have combination locks, so that even if a friend receives the key, they won't be able to open it without your assistance.
A fake rock with an inside compartment is another popular trick to hide keys. This is a great solution for outdoor areas, but you must be aware that burglars are often looking for these items. If you decide to use this method, you could use dark duct tap to make it more difficult for thieves to see.
The hood is one last location to check. If you have keys that open the cap for gas, this can be a great spot to hide it as it won't be as obvious. Be sure to make use of a sturdy piece of tape to ensure that the key doesn't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you go to remove it.
Lost car keys can be a major hassle, but there are ways to lessen the impact they have on your day-to-day life. You can find your keys by retracing your Steps and checking the most common hiding places. A local locksmith will also assist you in avoiding wasting time and money.
Contact a Locksmith
If you lose your car key, you should call locksmith. They'll be able to help you recover the key quickly, and also be able to advise you on how to prevent this from happening again. You could also contact a local car key duplication business. However, they will require the exact type, make, and year of your car to duplicate the key.
You'll need visit your dealer if your vehicle is an older model or has an electronic fob. This can be costly particularly if they have to purchase the right 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 offer the same services as dealers however at less cost. Most insurance policies cover locksmith charges and towing costs in the event of a
lost car keys no spare or stolen key. Some even offer roadside assistance, which can send professionals to you to assist you with getting into your vehicle.
It is important to check the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance prior to selecting a dealer. It is also important to notify the police as soon as you can. This will ensure that your vehicle is not used without permission and you are protected in the case of a robbery or assault. The act of reporting your keys will let police officers be on the lookout for anyone who might try to gain access to your vehicle in a way that is illegal. In the event of a worst-case scenario, you could be protected from criminal charges in the event that someone attempts to steal your vehicle. The most important thing to keep in mind when you lose the car keys that you have is to not be in a panic. Follow the steps above and, if necessary get a family member or friend family member to assist.