What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

In the chaos of life - kids, errands socializing with friends, and work Things are i lost my only car key. Sometimes it's the smallest things, like keys.

For most cars, a new key can be purchased at your local hardware store along with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a cheap alternative.

Retract your steps

There is nothing more painful than losing your sole car key and not being able to get into your car. You can lose time, money and peace of your mind. But the first thing you should do when you've lost your car keys is to remain calm. Doing your best to panic won't help you locate your keys quicker and could make the situation even worse.

Start by trying remembering the last time you saw them. You may have dropped them when you brought groceries in or perhaps you put them in your pocket as you were out running an outing. Retracing your steps can help you find your keys in a matter of minutes.

If trying to retrace your steps doesn't work, try noting down all the places you have been throughout the day. This will trigger your memory and provide you with the clue you need to find your keys. Double check every place you recorded. You may find that keys "drift" on the floor, side or underneath something, and you can pick them up exactly where you left them.

Check Inside Your Car

It wasn't too long ago that misplacing, or even losing a car keys was not a big deal. Most people had a spare key that was attached to the car in a little box stuck to the inside of the bumper. Nowadays, however, cars are becoming more advanced in technology and that means the keys are more likely to go missing. Replacing a lost or stolen car key may require a number of steps and can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the kind of vehicle and the year of the model. It is important to always keep a spare car key in case you lose the original.

Take an exhale before you get anxious about losing your one car key. Try to remain calm. Once you've got your emotions under control you can start working through the steps. Retrace your steps, and try to remember the last time you held the keys. It's normal to hold keys while you are grabbing something else, and they can end up on the car on the floor, but you aren't able to see them.

Then, go through your vehicle. Pay particular attention to the places you usually place them. You might have left them on the dashboard when you stepped out of your car to go to a store, or perhaps you went to your bag to get some snacks, but accidentally knocked them out of there.

Also, you should check your pockets, purses and bags. You might forget to check your deep pockets or big bags.

If you still can't find your keys, it's time to call an expert locksmith and request assistance. If you own an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith could typically make you a new one on the spot. However, if you've got a modernized key fob with a chip, you'll need to contact your dealer and possibly provide evidence of ownership to obtain 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 talking on the phone, or simply forgot them, it's easy to lose them. The good news is that most people have a spare key that they keep in their home or office that can be easily located in the right place. If you have a spare key, it is important to look over all the places where you have previously kept keys. Included in this are obvious places like backpacks, purses or a sofa pocket or a pile on your desk, or even a dresser drawer. If you have a friend with you, ask them to check these places too.

There are also several magnetic boxes and mini-vaults that are designed to be affixed to your car so you can keep a spare key inside it. They are great for hiding keys since they won't break when you drive over bumps, and can protect your keys from the elements. Many of these storage units come with combination locks, meaning that even if a friend has access to the key but they aren't in a position to open the door without your assistance.

A fake rock with a hidden compartment is another popular trick to conceal keys. This is a great option for outdoor areas. However, you should be aware of the fact that burglars are often looking for these items. If you choose to employ this method, you could make use of a dark duct to make it difficult for thieves to spot.

The hood is the final location to check. If you have keys that open the cap on your gas tank, this can be the perfect spot to conceal it since it won't be so obvious. Be sure to make use of a sturdy piece of tape to ensure that the key doesn't come off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to take it out.

Lost car keys can be a real pain, but there are ways to reduce the impact they have on your daily life. By taking a moment to retract your steps, checking all of the most commonly used hiding places and i lost my only car key calling a local locksmith to retrieve your keys and not waste any time or money.

Contact a locksmith

Unless you have spare keys stashed in a safe place the best thing to do if you lose your only car key is call locksmith. They can help you retrieve it quickly and will also offer suggestions on how to avoid this repeating itself in the future. If you know someone who owns a duplication shop for car keys nearby, it's an alternative, but keep in mind that these kinds of businesses often need to have the exact make, model and year of your vehicle to duplicate a key correctly.

If your car is a more recent model, or if it utilizes an electronic key fob, you'll have to visit your dealer for a new replacement. It can be costly, especially when the dealer must order a new key for your vehicle. It can also take days or even weeks.

Many people are unaware that a locksmith can offer the same service for less than a dealership. Many insurance policies also provide for locksmith charges or towing in the case of a stolen or lost my key key, and some even offer roadside assistance that can provide professionals to your location to help you get back in your vehicle.

If you have comprehensive automobile insurance, it's worth checking your coverage before deciding to go with a dealership. It's crucial to inform your car's owner as soon as possible, too. This will ensure that no one else will have access to your car without permission, and it will also protect you in case you're ever attacked or robbed. By reporting your keys, you will also alert police officers to anyone who might attempt to use your car lost key illegally. In the event of a worst-case scenario you could be shielded from criminal charges if someone attempts to steal your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when you lose the car keys that you have is that you should never panic. Try the above steps and, if you need to get a family member or friend family to help.