What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

In the whirlwind of life - kids, errands, socializing with friends, and work things get lost. Sometimes it's the smallest things such as 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 cost-effective alternative.

Retract Your Steps

It can be a nightmare to lose your car's only keys and be unable to enter your vehicle. You can be a victim of time, money and peace of mind. The first thing you should do when you lose the sole key to your vehicle is to stay calm. The stress of panicking isn't going to help you locate your keys faster, and could even make things worse.

Try to remember when you last seen them. It could be as easy as putting them in your pocket as you stepped out of the car to go on an appointment, or they might have been lost while taking groceries inside. You can find your keys by tracing your steps.

If retracing your steps does not work, try writing down all of the places you'i ve lost my car keys visited throughout the day. This will help you remember where you were and could provide you with an idea of where your keys are. Double check every place you wrote down. You may find keys "drift" on the floor, side or underneath something, and you'll be able to pick them right where you left them.

Look Inside Your Car

A few years ago, misplacing--or even losing--a car key wasn't a huge issue. A majority of people had a spare attached to the car in a small box that was tacked to the inside of the bumper. Nowadays, however, cars are becoming more advanced in technology and that means the keys are more likely to be lost. Replacing a i lost my Only car key or stolen car key can take many steps and can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the vehicle type and model year. It's important to always have a spare car key in case you lose the original.

Before you start freaking out about losing your only car key, take an exhale and try to remain calm. Once you have your emotions under control you can begin working through the steps. First, retrace your steps and reflect on the last time you held keys in your hand. It's normal to hold keys while you are grabbing something other, and they could end up on the car floor where you cannot see them.

The next thing to do is thoroughly search your car, especially the places you normally keep them. You may have left them on the dashboard as you stepped out of your car to go into a store, or perhaps you reached into your bag to get some snacks, but accidentally knocked them out of there.

Check your pockets, purses and bags. It's easy to forget about something in the deep pockets of your coat or a large bag, so make sure you empty them and carefully examine every crevice.

Call a locksmith for assistance in case you are unable to find your keys. If you have an old-fashioned metal key without any electronic components, you can get an instant replacement. However, if you've got a modernized key fob that has chips, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership to get an exchange.

Make sure you are aware of your hide spots

It doesn't matter if you were in a hurry to get out the door or were distracted trying to eat your sandwich and talk on the phone or you simply lost your keys It's easy to forget keys when you're working. It's good that many people keep an extra key at their office or home that they can easily find. If you have an extra key, you need to examine all places where you have previously stored them. This includes obvious places such as bags or purses or a pocket on the sofa, a stack of mail on your table, or a drawer in your dresser. If you have a friend with you, ask them to check these same spots as well.

There are a variety of magnetic boxes and mini-vaults designed to stick onto your vehicle to allow you to keep a spare key inside it. These are great for hiding keys as they can't be knocked off by accident when you drive over a bump and also shield your key from the elements. A lot of these storage devices also feature combination locks so that even if the key to a relative, they can't open it without your permission.

A fake rock with an inside compartment is another popular trick to hide keys. This is a great solution for outdoor areas, however you should be aware that thieves are often looking for these items. If you choose to utilize this method, you could employ a dark duct tap to make it more difficult for thieves to find.

One last place to look is the hood of your vehicle. It's a good spot to hide keys for the gas cap if you have one. It won't be seen. Use a strong tape to keep the key from falling off or scratching the paint of your vehicle when you remove it.

There are ways to minimize the impact of keys lost in your car on your daily life. You can locate your keys by Retracting Your Steps and checking the most likely hiding spots. Contacting a locksmith in your area will also help you avoid wasting time and money.

Call a Locksmith

If you don't have a spare set of keys, the best thing to do if you lose your car keys is to contact locksmith. They'll be able to help you recover it quickly, and they'll also be able to guide you on how to avoid this from happening again. You can also try contacting a local car key duplication business. But, they'll require the exact type, make and year of your vehicle to duplicate keys.

If your car is an older model, or if it uses a smart key fob you'll need to visit your dealer to request a replacement. This can be costly in particular if the dealer has to obtain a new key to your vehicle. It could also take days or weeks.

One thing that a lot of people don't know is that an experienced locksmith can typically offer the same services as dealers however at less cost. Many insurance policies also provide for locksmith charges or towing costs in the event of a lost my only car key or stolen key, and some offer roadside assistance that can send experts to your location to assist you get back in your vehicle.

It's important to verify the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before selecting the dealer. It's important to notify your keys as quickly as possible, too. This will help to ensure that your vehicle is not used without permission and you will be protected in the event of a robbery or assault. By notifying your keys, you also inform police about anyone who might attempt to access your car illegally. In the worst case scenario, this could even protect you from charges of criminality should someone attempt to take your car. It is crucial not to be frightened if you lose your only car keys lost keys. Try the above steps and, if needed get a family member or friend family to help.