What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key
In the whirlwind of life - kids, errands work and socializing with friends Things are lost. It's not always the major things. Sometimes it's just the little things like keys.
For most cars, a new key can be created at your local hardware store with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a low-cost option.
Retract Your Steps
It is frustrating to lose your car's only keys and be unable to get into your car. It could cost you money, time and peace of mind. The first thing to do in the event that you lose the only key to your vehicle is to remain calm. The stress of panicking will not help you locate your keys quicker, and it could cause more damage.
Try to remember the last time you seen them. It could be as easy as them being in your pocket when you hopped out of the car to go on an appointment, or they might have been dropped while you were carrying groceries into the house. You can locate your keys by tracing your steps.
If retracing steps isn't working Try writing down every place you went to throughout the day. This will help you remember where you were and may give you an idea of where your keys are. Check every spot you wrote down. Sometimes, keys "drift" to the side, floor or underneath something and you might just be able to pick them up exactly where you left them.
Check Inside Your Car
It wasn't that long ago that misplacing, or losing, a car key was not a major issue. 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 go missing. Replacing a lost or stolen car key may require a number of steps and cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the type of vehicle and the year of its model. It is essential to have a spare car key in case you lose the original.
Take an exhale before you panic about losing your one car key. Try to stay calm. Once you've got your emotions under control you can begin working through the steps. Follow your steps and try to remember when you last held your keys. It's common to juggle keys while you are grabbing something else, and they can end up on the car floor where you cannot be able to see them.
The next step is to thoroughly search through your car, particularly the places where you usually keep them. You may have accidentally knocked the items out of your bag, or put them on your dashboard after you exited your car to go to the store.
Examine your purses, pockets and bags. It's easy to overlook something in the deep pockets of your coat, or in a large bag, so make sure to empty them out and look carefully through every crevice.
Contact a locksmith if you can't locate your keys. If you have a traditional metal key that doesn't have electronic components, you can get an instant replacement. If you have a key fob with a chip and an older model, you'll be required to contact the dealer to request a new one.
Make sure you are aware of your hide spots
It's easy to forget your keys when you're working. Whether you were rushing to leave, distracted by a sandwich while talking on the phone, or you forgot them, it's easy to lose keys. The good thing is that the majority of people have spare keys that they keep in their house or office that can be easily located in the correct spot. If replacing lost car keys have an extra key, it is essential to examine all places you've previously stored keys. These include obvious places such as backpacks, purses or a pocket on the sofa, a stack on your desk, or in a dresser drawer. If you have a friend with you ask them to look over these same spots as well.
There are also several magnetic boxes and mini-vaults made to be affixed to your vehicle to allow you to keep a spare key inside it. They are great for hiding keys since they won't break when you drive on bumps and can protect your keys from the elements. Many of these storage devices have combination locks, so that even if you give the key to a person, they can't open it without you.
A fake rock with an enclosed compartment is another way to hide keys. This is a great solution for outdoor areas, but it is important to be aware that burglars are often looking for these items. If you choose to utilize this technique, you can use dark duct tap to make it more difficult for thieves to find.
The hood is a final spot to look. If you have keys that open the cap for gas it could be an ideal spot to hide it since it won't be so 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 methods to lessen the impact of keys lost in your car on your daily routine. You can locate your keys by retracing Your steps and examining the most frequent hiding spots. Calling a local locksmith can also assist you in avoiding wasting time and money.
Call a locksmith
If you don't have a spare set of keys stashed somewhere the best thing to do in the event that you lose your only car key is call a locksmith. They can help you retrieve the lost key quickly, and give you suggestions on how to avoid this repeating itself in the future. If you know someone who has a key duplication shop for cars nearby, that's a different option however, remember that these types of businesses often need to have the specific make, model and year of your vehicle to duplicate the correct key.
You'll have visit your dealer if your vehicle is an older model or is equipped with a smart fob. This can be expensive in particular when the dealer needs to purchase a new key for your vehicle. It could also take days or even weeks.
One thing that a lot of people don't realize is that an experienced locksmith can typically offer the same services as dealerships but at a fraction of the cost. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith costs or towing costs in the event of a stolen or lost key, and some provide roadside assistance to send experts to your location to assist you get back into your car.
It's worth checking the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance prior to selecting a dealer. It is also important to report your keys to the police as soon as you can. This will help to ensure that your car is not used without permission, and you are protected in the event of a robbery or assault. By declaring your keys, you also notify police of anyone who may try to use your vehicle illegally. In the event of a worst-case scenario it could also protect you from charges of criminality if someone does try to take your car. The most important thing to remember when losing the car keys that you have is that you should never be in a panic. Instead, try the above steps and ask for the help of a family member if necessary.