20 Rising Stars To Watch In The Lost Car Key Industry
What to Do If You Lose Your Car Keys
Losing your car keys can be one of the most difficult experiences you endure. In the shuffle of school pick-ups, grocery store trips and other chores, things sometimes get lost.
The most important thing to remember is not to be in a panic. Finding the key usually involves repeating your steps.
1. Retract Your Steps
It's not a secret that keys are among the most frequently misplaced objects. If you're on the run and get distracted while getting out of your vehicle or you're trying to prepare for the day and forget keys in a hurry it could happen to anyone. There are some things you can do prior to calling a locksmith if you've lost your keys.
You'll have to go back through all your steps. It isn't easy to recall where you were when you last looked at your keys, or where you went afterward. It can also be helpful to note down your steps, so that you can refer back to them later on.
If you've tried retracing your steps and still can't find your car keys, it may be time to begin looking in more obvious locations. Examine your purses and pockets, as well as the home. Keep in mind that your keys are probably located nearby, but not in a place you'd expect. You can also search for your keys by examining other items that they are typically paired with, such as the laptop, purse or wallet.
If you have tried everything but still cannot find your keys, then it's time to call for an emergency locksmith that is available 24 hours a day. But before you call, consider some of these tips to prevent your keys from disappearing in the future.
2. Get an extra key
Car keys have the uncanny ability to disappear from pockets on coats, underneath couch cushions, or disappear completely. In the past this wasn't a huge problem since it was easy to find a new key at any locksmith or hardware store. With the introduction of key fob technology it's now more difficult to replace keys that have been lost.
This is why it's ideal to keep a spare key handy. You will not have to call a tow-truck and will be able to get your vehicle back if you lose your key. It is advisable to have the spare key in a different spot than your usual keychain, so that it isn't as easily lost. If you don't have a spare key, you should consider having one made to minimize the chances of losing your keys.
Depending on the model of your car you may be able to have traditional keys made by a locksmith, or a dealership. It is crucial to remember that the dealer must program your key to fit your car.
A lot of modern cars come with keyless entry systems that allow you to unlock your car by using a remote control. If you lose the fob the only way to get it back is to visit a dealer or locksmith to have them match a replacement fob with your vehicle. To avoid this from happening, make it a habit to put your keys in the same spot every time you get home. Whether it's in the entry table, an empty bowl on your front porch, or even a hook by the door, it can aid in remembering where they are and where you can find them in the future.
3. Empty Your Pockets
Losing your car keys can be a terrible feeling. If you lost keys in the rush to get out of the house or your little ones hid them under the couch to play hide-and-seek and then lost your keys to your car can leave you feeling frantic and overwhelmed.
Doing something to solve your issue won't help and may make it worse. Instead, try to remain calm and follow the steps below to resolve your problem as quickly as you can.
Begin by reviewing your day and recalling where you had them last. Examine all of your pockets and bags If you can recall they were in your wallet. car keys lost replacement can also retrace your steps to see whether you've seen them anywhere else. Finally, you can always examine your vehicle to determine whether they've been abandoned there, but you'll need to thoroughly search the inside and exterior of the car.
If you've tried everything else and aren't able to find your lost car keys It's time to move on to more sophisticated searches. This includes searching the fridge and freezer for your keys. You'll have to open and shut each of these appliances and feel around inside, as you never know where small items may have been hiding.
Another way to prevent losing your car keys is to attach them to a long lanyard or chain. This helps you keep track of them and also make them more difficult to misplace due to the noise they make and the length of the chain or lanyard. You can also make your keys stand out applying a bright hue.
4. Call the police
It is obvious that the first thing you must do after losing your car keys is call the police. Reporting the lost car keys immediately is crucial to ensure that you don't have to worry about someone using your car or even entering your home. Reporting your loss early can also benefit you in terms of insurance coverage as the majority of policies cover locksmith expenses and even replacement keys from the dealership.
When you call the police, they'll be able to inform you whether your keys were discovered by people or been stolen. They'll also give you some tips on how you can prevent theft of your keys. If your keys haven't been found, they'll likely request you to give details of the date you lost them as well as what you were doing before the incident occurred.
Check your pockets, bags and other places where you typically carry the key. After that take a walk through your day and try to recall the place you lost keys. It's possible that you set them on a counter or went into your bag to grab something and then the keys dropped out.
This can only be performed by a dealer if you have a transponder working electronically. It can cost a couple hundred dollars or more, depending on the make and model of your vehicle. You can also contact emergency roadside assistance from GEICO, always available through the GEICO mobile app. This service can save you time and money by sending an emergency locksmith on your mobile.
5. Contact an expert locksmith
If you put your keys in the trunk while doing errands, they can easily disappear. This is all too common, as lost keys are the most misplaced item in the United States1. It's impossible to stop this from happening all the time. But you can take steps to reduce your chances of losing them.
Having a spare key can help, but it doesn't guarantee that you will not lose the original. A keychain with a tracking device will help you locate your keys in the event they get lost. A tracking device will send an alert to your smartphone when it detects a signal of your lost keys and makes it easier to locate.
If you can't find your car keys, you should call an locksmith to come and replace them. The locksmith will be able to create a new key for you if you can prove that you are the owner of the vehicle, such as your vehicle's title or registration.
Traditional keys are the easiest to replace, however when you have an intelligent key or remote key fob you'll need to contact your dealer to have one made for you. You can also purchase replacement keys online, but be sure to verify whether the key you purchase can be programmed for the specific vehicle you own.
Losing your car keys could be a stressful event, but it does not have to be. If you follow the steps listed above, you can recover your keys and get back on the road. Keep calm and don't panic! Keep in mind that you're not alone. Everyone loses their keys at some time.