5 Reasons I Lost My Only Car Key Is Actually A Good Thing
What to Do If lost auto key Lose Your Only Car Key
In the chaos of life - kids, errands, socializing with friends, and work things get lost. Sometimes it's the small stuff, like keys.
A new key for the majority of automobiles can be created at your local hardware store, provided you have proof of ownership. This is an inexpensive option.
Retract Your Steps
There is nothing more frustrating than losing your only car key and not being able get into your car. You can lose money, time and peace of mind. But the first thing you need to do if you lose your car keys is to stay calm. Doing your best to panic will not help you locate your keys quicker, and it could cause more damage.
Try to remember when you last saw them. They might have been lost when you brought groceries in or put them in your pocket as you ran an outing. You can locate your keys by following your steps.
If you aren't able to retrace steps Try writing down all the places you visited throughout the day. This will trigger your brain and give you the clue you need to find your keys. After you've written down all possible spots your keys could be, make sure you make sure you check each spot. Sometimes, keys "drift" to the floor, side or even under something and you might just be capable of picking them up right where you left them.
Look Inside Your Car
Not so long ago, misplacing--or even losing--a car key wasn't a big deal. A majority of people had a spare connected to their car in a small container stuck to the inside of the bumper. Nowadays, however, vehicles are becoming more advanced in technology and keys are more likely to disappear. Replacing a lost or stolen car key could require several steps and can cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the kind of vehicle and the year of its model. It is important to always have a spare car key in case you lose your original.
Before you begin to panic about losing your sole car key take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Once you've got your emotions under control you can begin to work through the steps to locate it. Follow your steps and try to recall the last time you held the 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 to thoroughly search through your car, particularly the places where you usually put them. You may have left them on the dashboard when you got out of your car to go into a store, or perhaps you walked into your bag to get snacks and accidentally threw them out of there.
Take a look in your pockets, purses and bags. You might forget to check your deep pockets or large bags.
If you still can't find your keys, it's time to contact a locksmith for help. If you have a traditional metal key that doesn't have electronic components, you can get an immediate replacement. If, however, you own an older key fob with a chip, you'll need to contact your dealer and possibly provide evidence of ownership to obtain an exchange.
Check Your Hiding Spots
If you were in a hurry to get out the door or were distracted trying to eat a sandwich and call or even lost your keys It's easy to forget them when you are working. The good news is that most people have spare keys that they keep in their house or office that can be located in the correct spot. If you have an extra key, you need to check all of the places where you have previously hidden the keys. This includes obvious places like bags or purses or even a pocket in the sofa, a pile of mail on the table, or a drawer on your dresser. Have a friend do the same.
There are also magnetic boxes and mini vaults that you can put on your car to store keys that you don't need. These are great for hiding keys as they aren't able to be smashed off accidentally when you drive over bumps, and they will also shield your key from the elements. Many of these storage units come with combination locks, which means even if someone receives the key, they won't be able to open it without your assistance.
A fake rock with a hidden compartment is another way to hide keys. This is a great option for outdoor areas. However, you must be aware that burglars will often look for these items. If you do opt to go this route make sure you use dark duct tape to make it more difficult for thieves to detect.
Another place to look is the hood of your car. If you have a key that opens the gas cap, this can be the perfect spot to conceal it since it won't be as visible. Just be sure to use a heavy-duty piece of tape so that the key doesn't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you go to remove it.
There are ways to minimize the impact of keys missing from your car in your daily routine. You can locate your keys by Retracting Your Steps and looking for the most likely hiding spots. Calling a local locksmith can also help you avoid wasting time and money.
Contact a Locksmith
Unless you have a spare set of keys the best thing you can do in the event that you lose the only car key you have is to contact a locksmith. They can assist you in retrieving the key quickly, and also be able to advise you on how to avoid this from happening again. You can also try contacting an auto key duplicate company. But, they'll require the exact model, brand, model, and year of your vehicle to duplicate a key.
If your car is a newer model, or uses a smart key fob, you'll need to go to your dealer for a new replacement. This can be expensive particularly if they have to purchase the correct key for your vehicle, and it can take days or even weeks.
One thing that a lot of people don't realize is that a professional locksmith can usually offer the same services as dealerships, but at a fraction of the cost. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith costs and towing in case of a lost or stolen keys. Some even offer roadside assistance, which will send experts to assist you in getting into your car.
It's important to verify the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before choosing the dealer. It is also recommended to notify the police as soon as you can. This will 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 may try to use your vehicle illegally. In the worst case scenario, this could even protect you from charges of criminality if someone does try to take your car. It is important to not panic if you lose your car keys. Try the above steps and, if you need to, enlist a friend or family member to assist.