What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key

In the whirlwind of life - kids, errands, socializing with friends, and work - things are lost. Sometimes it's the smallest things, like keys.

A new key for all automobiles can be created at your local hardware store, provided you have proof of ownership. This is an inexpensive alternative.

Retract your steps

It's a pain to lose your sole car keys and be unable to enter your vehicle. It could cost you time, money and peace of mind. The first thing you should do when you've lost my car key the only car key you have is to stay calm. Doing your best to panic won't help you locate your keys quicker and could make the situation worse.

Try to remember when you last saw them. It could be as simple as them being in your pocket when you hopped out of your car to do an run, or they could have been lost while you were taking groceries inside. You can find your keys by retracing your steps.

If retracing your steps does not work, you can try writing down all of the places you have been throughout the day. This will help you to remember where you were and may give you an idea of where your keys are. Double check every place you recorded. Sometimes keys "drift" to the floor, side or even under something and you might just be in a position to retrieve them exactly where you left them.

Take a look inside Your Car

It wasn't long ago that misplacing, or losing, a car key was not a major issue. 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 stolen or lost car key may require multiple steps and could cost hundreds of dollars, depending on the type of vehicle and the year of manufacture. It's why it's essential to have a backup in case you ever do lose your only car key.

Before you start freaking out about losing your car's only key take your breath and try to remain calm. Once you have your emotions under control you can begin working through the steps. First, retrace your steps and reflect on when you last held the keys in your palm. It's not uncommon to juggle your keys as you grab other things, and sometimes they end in the back of your car where you can't see them.

The next step is to thoroughly search your car, particularly the places you normally put them. You might have left them on the dashboard when you stepped out of your car to go into a shop or maybe you walked into your bag to get a snack and accidentally knocked them out.

Check your pockets, purses and bags. It's easy to overlook things in the deep pockets of your coat or a large bag, so be sure you empty them and carefully examine every crevice.

Get help from a locksmith when you're unable to find your keys. If you have an old-fashioned metal key without any electronic components, you can request an immediate replacement. However, if you've got an older key fob that has chips, you'll have to contact your dealership and possibly provide proof of ownership to get a replacement.

Be aware of your hiding spots

It's easy to forget your keys when you're occupied. It doesn't matter if you were rushing to leave, distracted by a sandwich while you talked on the phone, or simply forgot them, it's easy to lose keys. The good thing is that the majority of people have a spare key they keep in their home or office that can be easily located in the correct spot. It is important to check every place you've hidden your spare key. These include obvious places such as backpacks, purses or a pocket on the sofa, a stack on your desk, or a dresser drawer. Ask a friend to do the same.

There are a variety of magnetic boxes and mini-vaults made to be affixed to your vehicle to allow you to store a spare key in it. They are great for hiding keys since they won't break when you drive over bumps and will protect your key against the elements. A lot of these storage units also come with combination locks, which means that even if a relative 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 purchase fake rocks with a hidden compartment. This is a good idea for outdoor areas. However, it is important to be aware that burglars are often looking for these items. If you do decide to use this method make sure you use dark duct tape to make it harder for thieves to detect.

One final place to check is the hood of your vehicle. This is a good place to conceal keys for the gas cap if you have one. It won't be seen. Use a tape that is strong to prevent the key from falling off or scratching the paint of your vehicle when you remove it.

There are ways to minimize the impact of keys Lost My Only Car Key in your car on your day-to-day life. By taking a few seconds to Retract Your Steps by scouring all of the most common hiding spots and calling the local locksmith to locate your keys and not waste any unnecessary time or money.

Call a locksmith

Unless you have spare keys the best thing you can do in the event that you lose your only car key is contact a locksmith. They'll be able to help you recover it quickly, and they'll also be able to guide you on how to prevent this from happening again. If you know someone who owns a car key duplication shop nearby, it's an alternative however, remember that these kinds of businesses often need to have the specific make, model and year of your car in order to copy keys correctly.

You'll have visit your dealer if your vehicle is an older model or has a smart fob. This can be expensive particularly if the dealer has to order a new key for your vehicle. It can also take days or even weeks.

Many people don't know that locksmiths can provide the same service at less than a dealership. A lot of insurance policies cover locksmith charges and towing in the event of a lost or stolen key. Some even provide roadside assistance that can send professionals to you to help you get into your car.

It's worth checking the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance prior to choosing an agent. It's essential to report your keys as soon as you can. This will ensure that nobody else will have access to your car without permission. It is also a way to protect yourself in case you're ever victimized by a robber or attacked. The act of reporting your keys will let police officers be on the lookout for anyone who may try to use your vehicle for illegal purposes. In the event of a worst-case scenario this could also shield you from prosecution if someone does try to take your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when you lose your only car key is that you shouldn't be in a state of panic. Try the above steps and, if needed ask a friend or family member to help.