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What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key
Things are lost in the chaos that is life: kids, errands and work socializing with friends etc. It's not always the major stuff. Sometimes it's just the little things, like keys.
For most cars keys, a new key can be made at the local hardware store, along with proof of ownership (car registration or title). This is a low-cost option.
Retract Your Steps
There is nothing more painful than losing your sole car key and not being able get into your car. It can cost you money, time and peace of mind. However, the first thing you should do if you lose your car keys is to be calm. Doing your best to panic won't help you locate your keys quicker and could cause more damage.
Start by trying remembering when you last saw them. It could be as easy as putting them in your pocket when you got out of the car to go on an appointment, or they might be missing while you were carrying groceries into the house. It is possible to locate your keys by retracing your steps.
If retracing your steps does not work, try recording all the places you've been throughout the day. This will help you remember where you were and could give you a clue as to where your keys are. Make sure you check every location you recorded. You might find keys "drift" on the floor, side or under something, and you'll be in a position to pick them up exactly where you left.
Look Inside Your Car
It wasn't too long ago that misplacing, or losing a car keys was not a major issue. In the past people stored spare keys in a small container that was that was attached to their vehicle. Nowadays, however, cars are getting more technologically advanced and that means the keys are more likely to disappear. Replacing a lost or stolen car key can involve several steps and cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the type of vehicle and the year of its model. That's why it's important to have a backup in case you ever do lose your car's only key.
Take your time before you panic about losing your one car key. Try to stay calm. Once you've calmed down you can go through the steps to locate it. Follow lost key for car and try to remember when you last held your keys. It's not uncommon to hold your keys while you grab other things, and sometimes they end in the back of your car, where you don't even see them.
The next thing to do is thoroughly search your vehicle, particularly the places you normally place them. You might have left them on the dashboard when you stepped out of your car to go into a shop, or perhaps you reached into your bag to grab snacks and accidentally threw them out of there.
Check your pockets, purses and bags. You might not be aware of your deep pockets, or large bags.
If you're still unable to locate your keys, it's time to call an expert locksmith and request help. If you have an old-fashioned metal key that has no electronic components, a locksmith can usually create a new one right on the spot. However, if you've got an older key fob with chips, you'll have to contact your dealer and possibly provide proof of ownership to get an exchange.
Check Your Hide Spots
It's easy to forget your keys when you're working. If you were hurrying to leave or distracted by a sandwich while on the phone, or you forgot them, it is easy to lose them. It's good that most people keep an extra key at their office or home that they can easily locate. It is essential to look over every place you've hidden your spare key. These include obvious places like a purse, backpack or a pocket on the sofa or even a stack on your desk, or a dresser drawer. Request lost key for car to do the same.
There are magnetic boxes as well as mini vaults that you can stick on your vehicle to store a spare key. They are great for hiding keys, as they won't break when you drive over bumps, and can protect your keys from the elements. A lot of these storage devices also come with combination locks, which means that even if the key to a person they aren't able to access it without your permission.
A fake rock with a hidden compartment is another popular trick to keep keys hidden. This is a good option for outdoor areas. However, you must be aware of the fact that burglars will often look for these items. If you decide to use this method, you could use dark duct tap to make it difficult for thieves to see.
The hood is one last place to check. This is a great place to conceal keys to the gas cap, if you have one. It won't be noticeable. Use a heavy-duty tape to stop the key from falling off or scratching the paint of your vehicle when you remove it.
Car keys lost can be a real pain but there are ways to minimize the impact they have on your day to day life. By taking a few seconds to reverse your steps by scouring all of the most common hiding spots, and calling a local locksmith to retrieve your keys and avoid losing any money or time.
Call a Locksmith
Unless you have a spare set of keys stashed in a safe place, the best thing to do if you've lost your only car key is contact locksmith. They can help you retrieve the key quickly and offer advice on how to avoid this occurring again in the future. You can also try contacting an auto key duplicate business. But, they'll require the exact model, type, make, and year of your car to duplicate keys.
You'll have visit your dealer if your car is an older model or has an electronic fob. It can be costly particularly when the dealer must order a new key for your vehicle. It can also take days or weeks.
One thing that a lot of people do not realize is that a professional locksmith will typically provide the same service as dealerships but at only a fraction of the cost. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith fees or towing in the case of a stolen or lost key, and some even provide roadside assistance to provide 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 selecting the dealer. It is also important to inform the police immediately if you can. 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. The act of reporting your keys will enable police officers to be on watch for anyone trying to use your vehicle illegally. In the worst case scenario you could be shielded from criminal charges if someone attempts to take your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when you lose your car keys is to not be in a state of panic. Try the above steps and, if needed, enlist a friend or family to help.