What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key
Things are lost in the whirlwind that is life such as kids, errands, work, socializing with friends, and so on. Sometimes it's the small stuff, like keys.
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Retract your Steps
There is nothing more frustrating than losing your only car key and not being able to get in your vehicle. You may lose money, time and peace of your mind. The first thing you should do when you've lost your car keys is to remain calm. Panicking will not help you locate your keys faster, and it can cause more damage.
Start by trying to remember the last time you looked at your keys. It could be as simple as having them in your pocket when you got out of the car to go on an appointment, or they might be missing while bringing groceries inside. You can locate your keys by tracing your steps.
If retracing steps isn't working try writing down every place you went to during the day. This will help you to remember where you went and may give you a clue as to where your keys are. Once you've written down all the possible spots your keys could be, examine each location. Sometimes keys "drift" to the floor, side or underneath something and you may be capable of picking them up exactly where you left them.
Look Inside Your Car
It wasn't that long ago that misplacing or losing a car keys was not a major issue. In the past, most people kept spare keys in a small container that was connected to their car. Today, however, cars are becoming more advanced in technology and that means the keys are more likely to be lost. Replacing a stolen or lost car key may require several steps and cost hundreds of dollars based on the type of vehicle and year of manufacture. It is important to always have a spare car key in the event that you lose your original.
Take your time before you start worrying about losing your car key. Try to remain calm. Once you've calmed down you can begin to work through the steps to locate it. Retrace your steps, and try to remember the last time you held the keys. It's not uncommon to juggle your keys as you grab other things, and often they end in the back of your car where you don't even see them.
Then, go through your vehicle. Pay special attention to the places you usually place them. You might have left them on the dashboard when you stepped out of your car to run into a shop or perhaps you went to your bag to grab a snack and accidentally knocked them out of there.
Take a look in your pockets, purses and bags. It's easy to overlook things that are in the pockets of your coat or in a large bag, so make sure to empty them out 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 with no electronic components, a locksmith can typically make you a new one right on the spot. However, if you have a modernized key fob with chips, you'll have to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership in order to receive an exchange.
Be aware of your hiding spots
If you were in a rush to get out of the door or distracted while trying to eat a sandwich and talk on the phone or even lost your keys It's easy to forget keys when you're busy. It's good that most people keep an extra key in their office or home that they can easily locate. If you have an extra key, it is important to look over all the places you've previously kept the keys. This includes obvious places like a backpack or purse or even a pocket in the sofa, a pile of mail on your table, or a drawer in your dresser. If you have a companion with you ask them to look over these same spots as well.
There are also several magnetic boxes and mini-vaults that are designed to attach to your vehicle to allow you to stash a spare key in it. They are great to hide keys since they won't break when you drive over bumps and can protect your keys from the elements. Many of these storage units have combination locks, so that even if a friend gets the key, they won't be able to open it without your assistance.
Another method of hiding keys is to purchase a fake rock that has a hidden compartment. This is a great option for outdoor spaces, but it is important to be aware that burglars are usually looking for these items. If you choose to employ this method, you can make use of a dark duct to make it more difficult for thieves to see.
Another place to look is the hood of your vehicle. If you have a key that opens the cap on your gas tank it could be the perfect spot to conceal it as it won't be so obvious. Be sure to make use of a sturdy piece of tape so that the key won't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to take it out.
Lost car keys can be a real pain, but there are ways to minimize their impact on your daily life. You can locate your keys by retracing Your steps and examining the most frequent hiding spots. A local locksmith can also assist you in avoiding wasting time and money.
Contact an expert locksmith
If you lose your car key and you've lost it, you must contact a locksmith. They can help you retrieve it quickly, and they'll also be able advise you on how to avoid this from happening in the future. You could also contact an auto key duplicate company. However, they'll need the exact brand, model and year of your car to duplicate the key.
If your car is an older model, or if it utilizes a smart key fob you'll need to visit your dealer for a new replacement. This can be expensive, especially if they need to purchase the correct key for your car, and it can take a few days or even weeks.
A thing that many do not realize is that an experienced locksmith can typically provide the same service as dealerships however at less cost. A lot of insurance policies provide for locksmith charges or towing costs in the event of a lost or stolen key, and some even offer roadside assistance that can send professionals to your location to assist you get back into your car.
It is important to check the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance prior to choosing the dealer. It's essential to report your keys as soon as you can. This ensures that nobody else will be able to access your vehicle without your permission, and is also a way to protect yourself in the event of being attacked or robbed. The act of reporting your keys will let police officers be on the lookout for anyone who may try to gain access to your vehicle in a way that is illegal. In the worst-case scenario, this could even protect you from charges of criminality in the event that someone tries to take your car. The most important thing to remember when losing your only car key is to not panic. Instead, you should follow the steps listed above and ask for the help of a family member if needed.