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. Sometimes it's the little things such as keys.
A new key for most automobiles can be made at your local hardware store, provided you have proof of ownership. This is a cheap option.
Retract your Steps
There is nothing more frustrating than losing your only car key and not being able to get in your vehicle. It can cost you time, money and peace of mind. The first thing you need to do when you lose the sole key to your car is to be calm. Doing your best to panic is not going to help you locate your keys more quickly and may make the situation worse.
Begin by trying to remember when you last observed them. It could be as simple as them being in your pocket as you stepped out of your car to do an run, or they could have been lost while you were taking groceries inside. You can locate your keys by following your steps.
If retracing steps doesn't work Try writing down all the places you visited during the day. This will help you to remember where you went and could provide you with a clue as to where your keys are. Check every spot you recorded. Sometimes keys "drift" to the side, floor or underneath something and you might just be capable of picking them up right where you left them.
Look Inside Your Car
A few years ago the idea of losing or misplacing a car key wasn't a big deal. A majority of people had a spare attached to the car in a small container stuck to the inside of the bumper. Nowadays, however, vehicles are getting more technologically advanced and keys are more likely to go missing. Replacing a stolen or lost car key may require a number of steps and cost you hundreds of dollars, based on the type of car and year of the model. It is important to always keep a spare car key in case you lose your original.
Take an exhale before you get anxious about losing your one car key. Try to stay calm. Once you've got your emotions under control you can begin to work through the steps. Retrace your steps, and try to remember the last time you held your keys. It's not unusual to carry your keys as you grab other items, and sometimes they end in the back of your car, where they aren't visible.
The next thing to do is thoroughly search your vehicle, particularly the places where you usually keep them. You may have put them on the dashboard when you got out of your car to run into a shop, or perhaps you went to your bag to grab snacks and accidentally threw them out.
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 you empty them and scrutinize every crevice.
Contact a locksmith if you can't locate your keys. If you have a traditional metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith could usually make you a new one right on the spot. If you have a key fob with chips and is it is a newer model, you will have to contact the dealer to obtain a new one.
Make sure you are aware of your hide spots
It's easy to lose your keys when you're working. It doesn't matter if you were rushing to leave or distracted by a sandwich while you talked on the phone or forgot them, it is easy to lose keys. The good news is that a lot of people have spare keys they keep in their home or office that can be located in the right place. If you have a spare key, it is important to examine all places you've previously hidden keys. This includes obvious places like backpacks, purses, a sofa pocket or even a stack on your desk, or even a dresser drawer. If you have a family member with you ask them to look over these same spots as well.
There are also magnetic boxes and mini vaults that you could put on your car to store your spare keys. They are great to hide keys since they aren't able to be smashed off accidentally when you drive over a bump, and they will also protect your key from the elements. A lot of these storage devices come with combination locks, which means that even if you hand the key to a relative they won't be able to open it without you.
Another method of hiding keys is to purchase fake rocks that have a compartment that is hidden. This is a great option for outdoor areas. However, it is important to be aware that burglars are often looking for these items. If you do decide to employ this method, try using dark duct tape to make it more difficult for thieves to detect.
The hood is a final location to check. This is a great place to hide a key for the gas cap, if you have one. It won't be noticeable. Use a heavy-duty tape to keep the key from coming off or scratching the paint of your car when you remove it.
There are ways to reduce the impact of lost car keys on your daily routine. By taking a few seconds to Retract Your Steps and scouring the most common hiding spots and contacting an expert locksmith in your area, you can find your keys and avoid wasting any unnecessary time or money.
Contact a Locksmith
If you don't have spare keys the best thing you can do in the event that you lose your only car key is call a locksmith. They'll be able to help you recover it quickly, and also be able to guide you on how to prevent this from happening in the future. If you know someone with a car key duplication shop nearby, that's another option but remember that these types of businesses often need to have the specific make, model and year of your vehicle in order to duplicate the correct key.
If your car is an older model, or if it uses a smart key fob, you'll have to visit your dealer to request a replacement. It can be expensive, especially if they need to purchase the correct key for your car, and it can take days or even weeks.
Most people aren't aware that locksmiths can provide the same service at only a fraction of the cost of a dealership. lost key for car cover locksmith fees and towing in the event of a lost key or stolen key. Some even offer roadside assistance that can provide professionals to assist you in getting into your vehicle.
It's important to verify the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before choosing the dealer. It's crucial to report your keys as soon as possible, too. This will help to ensure that your vehicle is not used without permission, and you are protected in the event of a robbery, or assault. By reporting your keys, you will also inform police about anyone who may try to use your car illegally. In the worst case scenario you could be protected from criminal charges if someone tries to steal your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when losing your only car key is that you shouldn't be in a panic. Try the above steps and, if necessary, enlist a friend or family member to assist.