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. Sometimes it's the smallest things like keys.

For most vehicles, lost my only car key a new key can be made at your local hardware store with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a low-cost alternative.

Retract Your Steps

It is frustrating to lose your sole car keys and be unable to enter your vehicle. You could lose money, time and peace of your mind. The first thing you should do when you lose the sole key to your vehicle is to be calm. Doing your best to panic isn't going to help you locate your keys any faster, and it can even make the situation worse.

Start by trying remembering the last time you seen them. They might have been Lost My Only Car Key when you brought groceries in or you could have put them in your pocket while you ran an outing. You can find your keys by following your steps.

If retracing steps isn't working Try writing down every place you went to throughout the day. This can jiggle your memory and give you the clue to locate your keys. Once you've written down all possible spots your keys could be, make sure you check each spot. You might find keys "drift" on the floor, side or underneath something, and you'll be able to pick them up exactly where you left them.

Take a look inside Your Car

In the past the idea of losing or misplacing a car key wasn't a huge problem. A majority of people had a spare connected to their car in a little box attached to the inside of the bumper. However, as cars get more technologically advanced keys are more likely now to disappear. Replacing a stolen or lost car key could require several steps and cost hundreds of dollars depending on the vehicle type and model year. It's why it's essential to have a backup plan in case you ever do lose your sole car key.

Take a deep breath before you start worrying 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 not uncommon to hold your keys while you grab other things, and often they end on the floor of your car, where they aren't visible.

Then, go through your vehicle. Pay particular attention to the places you normally put them. You may have accidentally knocked the items out of your bag, or placed them on your dashboard after you left your car to go to an establishment.

Check your pockets, purses and bags. You may forget to check your deep pockets or big bags.

Contact a locksmith in case you are unable to locate your keys. If you own an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith will usually create a new one on the spot. However, if you've got a more modern key fob that includes chips, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership in order to receive an exchange.

Be aware of your hiding spots

Whether you were in a hurry to get out of the house, distracted while trying to eat a sandwich or chat on the phone or even forgot your keys, it's easy to lose keys when you're busy. The good thing is that the majority of people have a spare key that they keep in their home or office that can easily be located in the right place. It is crucial to examine every place where you've put your spare key. This includes obvious places like a backpack or purse, a pocket inside the sofa, a stack of mail on your table, or even a drawer in your dresser. If you have a companion with you and you want them to go through the same places as well.

There are magnetic boxes as well as mini vaults that you could place on your vehicle to store a spare key. They are ideal for hiding keys as they can't be knocked off accidentally when driving over a bump, and they will also shield your key from the elements. A lot of these storage devices also 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 a hidden compartment is another popular trick to conceal keys. This is a great solution for outdoor areas, however you should be aware that burglars are often looking for Lost My Only Car Key these items. If you decide to use this method, try using dark duct tape to make it more difficult for thieves to detect.

The hood is one last location to check. It's a good spot to conceal keys to the gas cap, if you have one. It won't be seen. Be sure to make use of a sturdy piece of tape so that the key doesn't come off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to take it out.

Car keys lost can be a huge hassle however, there are ways to reduce their impact on your day-to-day life. By taking a moment to reverse your steps and scouring the most common hiding spots and calling a local locksmith to locate your keys and avoid losing any time or money.

Call for a locksmith

If you lose your car key, you should call a locksmith. They can help you recover the lost keys for car key quickly, and provide you with advice on how to avoid this occurring again in the future. If you know someone with a car key duplication shop nearby, that's another option but remember that these kinds of businesses usually require the specific model, make and year of your car in order to copy keys correctly.

You'll have to visit your dealer if the car is an older model or has an electronic fob. It can be costly particularly if the dealer has to obtain a new key to your vehicle. It could also take days or even weeks.

Many people don't know that locksmiths can provide the same service for less than a dealership. Insurance policies often provide for locksmith charges or towing costs in the event of a stolen or lost key, and some even provide roadside assistance to send professionals to your home to help you get back into your car.

It's worth checking the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before selecting a dealer. You should also notify the police immediately if you can. This will ensure that your car is not used without permission, and you are protected in the event of a robbery or assault. Reporting your keys will also let police officers be on watch for anyone who may try to use your vehicle for illegal purposes. In the event of a worst-case scenario you could be shielded from criminal charges if someone attempts to steal your vehicle. It is crucial not to panic if you lose your car keys. Instead, follow the above steps, and enlist the help of a family member if needed.