How to Return a Lost Key to Car

Car keys have an enigmatical way of disappearing. They could be lost in the shuffle of purses and pockets, or they may be tossed into the black hole beneath the driver's seat.

It could ruin your day and alter your plans when you lose the keys to your vehicle. The first thing you need to do is check thoroughly.

1. Retract your Steps

The loss of your car keys can be a traumatic and scary experience. It doesn't matter if you left them on the counter after you took a bite of pizza, forgot to put them back on the key holder or lost them while walking around the house This is a problem that happens to all. There are ways to recover your keys and minimize the anxiety of losing your car keys.

Keep calm. Panicking and searching frantically will only cause more stress. Slow down and remember where you last seen them. This will allow you to trace the steps back and locate your keys quicker.

Start by focusing on the areas you use most often, such as your kitchen or office. You'll find your keys in your pockets, purses and other bags. If you're still not able to locate them, try looking in places you store items that are easily lost, such as behind a pile of mail, in the bottom of your bag and so on. It's also a good idea to look around your home for keys, particularly in areas where clutter tends to accumulate.

It is a good idea when looking for your keys. It's often helpful to have a fresh pair of eyes look for your keys. They might discover them where you've missed. Ask other employees or customers whether they have found your keys if you've lost them in a supermarket store or other public location. They might have tucked them in the lost and found area, or they might have been taken by someone else. You can put a smar tag on your keys, for example Apple AirTag, or Tile.

2. Take a look around

It's a nightmare to lose your car keys, particularly if there is no spare. It's easy to think that it's impossible however, there are ways to solve this problem without any hassle. Start by retracing the steps that you took and checking out the places where you were recently. You can also check your bags, pockets and other belongings.

You can also ask your family and friends members to check for your key. They may have an idea about where you lost your key. This is the best thing to do before contacting an locksmith. It will save you money in the long run.

Often, we lose our keys at the worst occasions. You're driving home from working for a long time when you realize that you don't know where the keys are. Or, you're putting groceries into your trunk and accidentally leave your keys inside when you shut the lid.

If you're lucky, you may discover them in an unexpected place, such as under the couch, or even in the mail pile. If you're unlucky you might have to pay a locksmith for an exact copy. The majority of newer vehicles are equipped with an immobilizer. This means you won't be able to use the original key to start the car. You can use the spare key to open the car's doors and trunk.

3. Make copies

It wasn't long ago that misplacing keys to your car was not a big deal. You could find an exact duplicate for less than $10 from your local hardware store. Nowadays, things are a bit more complicated. A lot of modern cars come with a key fob that locks and opens the car, and also controlling many of the vehicle's functions.

They are more expensive to replace if you don't have a spare. The good part is that if you have roadside assistance insurance and your insurance company will send a locksmith to make a new key for you. However, you'll have to pay for the cost of the replacement key.

Another option is to visit the dealership where you bought your car, and see whether they can make an original replica for you. This will be more expensive than hiring locksmiths to create an entirely new key but it could be your only chance. Based on the model of your vehicle it might be difficult to locate an expert locksmith to work with your particular type of key. This is why having an extra key at home is always an ideal idea. You might want to consider purchasing a smart tag that tracks your keys (such as Apple AirTag or the Tile).

4. Contact Your Insurance Company

At at least once, each driver has lost keys for car no spare their keys. This usually happens because of forgetfulness or when keys are misplaced in a bag, or inside a coat pocket. Whatever the reason the loss of your car keys is a major nuisance. It can ruin your entire day and cause lots of anxiety. There are several ways to locate them quickly.

Retrace your steps. It may seem obvious but this is a crucial step. Take a look in all your bags and pockets and feel around for them, including the zippered areas. Check under your car and in your home to see whether there are any hidden drawers or compartments.

Once you've retraced your steps and taken a close glance around, it's time to call your insurance company. This is especially important if your car uses transponders. These types of keys must be paired with the vehicle's computer, which can only happen at an auto dealer.

As long as you report your loss as soon as possible the auto insurance policy will be able to protect you from any damages caused by someone else using your lost key to drive around in your car. This includes things like scratches on your doors and ignition.

If you do not file an insurance claim, your premiums for car insurance will likely increase. However, it's often cheaper to file a claim rather than to pay hundreds of dollars to replace one lost key. It's your responsibility to determine what makes sense for your particular situation.

5. Contact a locksmith

If you look for your keys in your pocket or purse and find them missing, it's a bad experience. Losing your car keys is a huge inconvenience that can cause stress, anxiety, and even panic. It is better to call a locksmith than to try to find your keys yourself or to call roadside assistance. You'll be back on the road quickly and easily, with no wasted time.

If you need to call a locksmith quickly be sure to have the following information on hand. For instance, the car's key identification number (VIN) is a key piece of information that can generally be found on the driver's door jamb or in the owner's manual, and an original copy of your driver's license to prove ownership. This will allow locksmiths to identify the type of key you own and which is required.

It is also beneficial to keep a spare set of keys on hand. Many people store spare keys in easy-to-access places like under the cushions on their sofas or in a pile of mail. It's also worth contacting local police departments to see if keys have been handed in. Lastly, you should always inform your insurance company about the lost key to ensure that you don't lose your claim later should it be discovered later. In the event of a loss, you could be required to pay for a replacement. If you need to replace your key an experienced NYC auto locksmith will be able to help. They can create a new key on the spot and reprogram the system so that it is matched to the original key. This is a quicker and cheaper option than going to the dealership.