What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

In the chaos of life - kids, errands, work and socializing with friends - things are lost. It's not always the major stuff. Sometimes it's just the tiniest things, like keys.

For most cars keys, a new key can be purchased at your local hardware store with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a low-cost option.

Retract Your Steps

It's a pain to lose your only car keys and not be able to get into your car. You could lose money, time and peace of your mind. The first thing you must do when you've lost your car keys is to remain calm. Panicking is not going to help you locate your keys more quickly and may make the situation even worse.

Try to remember the last time you observed them. You might have lost them when you brought groceries in or you could have put them in your pocket as you ran an outing. You can find your keys by following your steps.

If trying to retrace your steps doesn't work, you can try noting down all the places you have been throughout the day. This will trigger your memory and give you the clue you need to find your keys. Make sure you check every location you wrote down. It is possible keys "drift" on the floor, side or underneath something, and you'll be in a position to pick them 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, a majority of people kept spare keys in a small box attached to their car. Nowadays, however, vehicles are getting more technologically advanced and that means the keys are more likely to disappear. Replacing a lost or stolen car key could require several steps and cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the car's type and the year of manufacture. It's important to always keep a spare car key in the event that you lose the original.

Take an exhale before you get anxious about losing your one car key. Try to remain calm. Once you've managed your emotions you can go through the steps to locate it. Retrace your steps, and try to remember the last time you held the keys. It's common to juggle keys while you grab something else, and they may end up on the floor where you cannot be able to see them.

The next step is thoroughly search your car, especially the places you normally put them. You might have left them on the dashboard as you stepped out of your car to go into a store, or perhaps you walked into your bag to get a snack and i lost my only car key accidentally knocked them out.

Check your pockets, purses and bags. You might not be aware of your deep pockets or big bags.

Contact a locksmith prices for lost car keys when you're unable to find your keys. If you own a traditional metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith can usually create a new one on the spot. However, if you have a more modern key fob that has chips, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide evidence of ownership to obtain an exchange.

Check Your Hide Spots

If you were in a hurry to get out of the house, distracted while trying to eat your sandwich and chat on the phone or you simply forgot your keys it's easy to lose them when you are working. The good news is that a lot of people have spare keys that they keep in their house or office that can be located in the right place. If you have a spare key, you need to look over all the places you've previously hidden the keys. Included in this are obvious places like backpacks, i lost my only car key purses or a sofa pocket, a stack on your desk, or a dresser drawer. Ask a friend to do the same.

There are also magnetic boxes and mini-vaults designed to be affixed to your vehicle to allow you to keep a spare key inside it. These are perfect for hiding keys, as they won't fall off when you drive over bumps and can protect your keys from the elements. A lot of these storage units have combination locks, so that even if a friend receives the key but they aren't capable of opening it without your assistance.

Another popular trick for hiding keys is to purchase fake rocks with an enclosed compartment. This is a good idea for outdoor areas. However, you should be aware that burglars will often look for these items. If you decide to use this method, you could employ a dark duct tap to make it difficult for thieves to find.

The hood is the final place to check. It's a good spot to hide keys for the gas cap if you have one. It won't be seen. Make sure you use a heavy-duty piece of tape to ensure the key doesn't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you attempt to take it out.

Car keys lost can be a real pain, but there are ways to reduce their impact on your day-to-day life. By taking a few seconds to Retract Your Steps and scouring the most common hiding spots and contacting an expert locksmith in your area to retrieve your keys and avoid losing any money or time.

Call for a locksmith

If you've lost the car key and you've i lost my only car key it, you must contact a locksmith. They'll be able to help you recover it quickly, and also be able to advise you on how to avoid this from happening again in the future. If you know someone who owns a duplication shop for car keys nearby, it's an alternative but remember that these types of businesses usually require the specific make, model and year of your vehicle to duplicate keys correctly.

You'll have to visit your dealer if your car is an older model or has a smart fob. It can be expensive, especially if they need to purchase the correct key for your vehicle and can take days or even weeks.

One thing that a lot of people do not realize is that a professional locksmith will typically offer the same services as dealers but at less cost. Many insurance policies also provide for locksmith charges or towing in the event of a stolen or lost key, and some offer roadside assistance that can provide professionals to your home to help you get back into your car.

It's important to verify the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance prior to choosing the dealer. It's important to notify your keys as quickly as possible, too. This will ensure that your car is not used without permission, and you are protected in the event of a robbery or assault. By reporting your keys, you will also alert police officers to anyone who is trying to use your car illegally. In the worst case scenario, you could be protected from criminal charges in the event that someone tries to steal your vehicle. The most important thing to keep in mind when you lose your only car key is that you shouldn't panic. Instead, try the steps above and seek the assistance of a friend or family member if necessary.