The Not So Well-Known Benefits Of I Lost My Only Car Key

What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

Things are lost in the chaos of life: kids, errands and work socializing with friends, etc. It's not always the big stuff. Sometimes, it's the small things such as keys.

For most vehicles keys, a new one can be made at the local hardware store, along with proof of ownership (car registration or title). This is an inexpensive option.

Retract Your Steps

There is nothing more frustrating than losing your only car key and not being able to get into your car. You could be a victim of time, money and peace of mind. But the first thing you need to do when you lose your car keys is to be calm. The stress of panicking isn't going to help you locate your keys any faster, and could even make the situation worse.

Try to remember the last time you seen them. It could be as easy as having them in your pocket when you got out of your car to do an errand, or they may be missing while taking groceries inside. Following your steps can aid in finding your lost keys in no time.

If retracing steps isn't working, try writing all the places you visited throughout the day. This will help you to remember where you were and may give you a clue as to where your keys are. Once you've jotted down all the possible places where your keys might be, double make sure you check each spot. It is possible keys "drift" on the floor, side or under something, and you'll be able to pick them up exactly where you left.

Take a look inside Your Car

It wasn't long ago that misplacing, or losing, a car key was not a big deal. In the past, a majority of people kept a spare key in a small box attached to their vehicle. Today, however, cars are becoming more technologically advanced and keys are more likely to be lost. Replacing a lost or stolen car key can involve several steps and could cost you hundreds of dollars, depending on the type of vehicle and the year of the model. It's why it's essential to have a backup key in case you ever do lose your only car key.

Take a deep breath before you start worrying about losing your car key. Try to stay calm. Once you have your emotions under control, you can begin to work through the steps. Retrace your steps and think about when you last had the keys in your hand.  sneak a peek at this site  to juggle keys while you grab something else, and they can end up on the car on the floor, but you aren't able to be able to see them.

The next step is thoroughly search your car, especially the places you normally place them. You may have put them on the dashboard as you stepped out of your vehicle to go into a shop or perhaps you went to 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 big bags.

Contact a locksmith when you're unable to locate your keys. If you have an old-fashioned key made of metal that doesn't have electronic components, you can get a replacement right away. If, however, you own an older key fob with chips, you'll need to contact your dealership and possibly provide evidence of ownership to obtain a replacement.

Be aware of your hiding spots

It doesn't matter if you were in a hurry to get out the door or were distracted trying to eat a sandwich and chat on the phone, or simply lost your keys, it's easy to lose them when you are busy. It's a good thing that most people keep an extra key at their home or workplace that they can easily locate. If you have an extra key, it is essential to look over all the places where you have previously hidden them. This includes obvious places such as bags or purses or a pocket on the sofa, a stack of mail on your table, or a drawer in your dresser. If you have a companion with you and you want them to go through these same spots as well.

There are also magnetic boxes and mini vaults you can put on your vehicle to store your spare keys. These are great to hide keys since they won't fall off by accident when you drive over a bump and also shield your keys from the elements. A lot of these storage units have combination locks, so even if someone gets the key and opens the door, they won't be in a position to open the door without your help.

Another trick to hide keys is to buy fake rocks that have a hidden compartment. This is a great option for outdoor areas, however you should be aware that thieves are often on the lookout for these items. If you decide to use this method make sure you use dark duct tape to make it harder for thieves to see.

One final place to check is the hood of your vehicle. If you have keys that open the cap on your gas tank, this can be a great spot to hide it because it won't be so obvious. Be sure to make use of a sturdy piece of tape to ensure 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 life. By taking  replacing lost car keys  to reverse your steps and scouring the most commonly used hiding places and calling an expert locksmith in your area to retrieve your keys and not waste any money or time.

Contact a locksmith

If you don't have spare keys, the best thing to do if you've lost your car keys is to call a locksmith. They can help you retrieve the key quickly, and also be able to guide you on how to avoid this from happening again in the future. If you know someone with a car key duplication shop nearby, it's an alternative but remember that these types of businesses typically require the specific make, model and year of your vehicle in order to copy keys correctly.

If your car is a newer model, or if it has a smart key fob, you'll need to go to your dealer to request a replacement. It can be expensive, especially if they need to order the correct key for your car, and it can take days or even weeks.

Most people aren't aware that a locksmith can provide the same service for less than a dealership. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith fees and towing costs in the event of a lost key or stolen key. Some even provide roadside assistance that can send experts to assist you in getting into your car.

It's worth checking the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance prior to choosing a dealer. It is also recommended to report your keys to the police immediately if you can. This will ensure that nobody else will be able to access your vehicle without permission. It will also protect you in case you're ever victimized by a robber or attacked. Notifying your keys will let police officers be on looking for anyone who might try to gain access to your vehicle in a way that is illegal. In the worst case scenario you could be shielded from criminal charges in the event that someone attempts to take your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when you lose your only car key is that you should never panic. Instead, try the steps listed above and ask for the help of a family member, if needed.