by Wanda Frantz
How to Return a Lost Key to Car
Car keys have a nifty way of disappearing. They can disappear in the shuffle between pockets in jackets and bags or disappear into the black hole underneath the driver’s seat.
If you lose your car key, it can make your day miserable. It could also alter your plans. The first thing you need to do is examine the keys thoroughly.
1. Retract your steps
Losing keys to your car can be an incredibly stressful and frightening experience. It happens to everyone, whether you dropped them on the counter in order to buy pizza, didn’t hang them on the key hook or tripped over them as you walked through your home. But there are ways to recover your keys and minimize the anxiety of losing your car key.
First, remember that it’s important to stay calm. Doing a lot of searching and panicking will only make things worse. Instead take a moment to think about where you last saw your keys. This will allow you to retrace the steps and find your keys more quickly.
Begin by focusing on areas you use most, such as your kitchen or office. Examine your purse, pockets and other bags for the keys. If you’re still unable to locate them, try checking the places you normally store things that could be easily lost, such as the bottom of your bag or under an unorganized pile of mail. You can also search your home to find keys, especially in areas that are overcrowded.
A call to help is a good idea when looking for your keys. It’s often beneficial to have a fresh pair of eyes to look for your keys. They might discover them where you missed. Ask other employees or customers whether they have found your keys if you’ve lost a car key them in a grocery store or other public location. They may have thrown them in the lost keys for car and found bin, or they could be picked up by someone else. You can put a smar tag on your keys, such as Apple AirTag, or Tile.
2. Take a look around
Losing your car keys is stressful especially when you don’t have a spare. There are solutions to this issue that won’t cause any trouble. Start by retracing the steps you completed and examining the places where you were recently. You can also look in your pockets, bags, and other things.
You can also ask friends and family members to search on your behalf. They might have a clue to where you lost your keys. It is recommended to check this before calling a locksmith. It will save you money in the end.
Sometimes, we lose keys to our cars at the most inconvenient times. You’re driving home from a long day at work when you realize you don’t know where the keys are. You might be loading groceries into your trunk and forget to put your keys in.
If you’re lucky, you might find them in a strange place like under the couch, or even in the mail pile. If you’re unlucky you might have to pay a locksmith a copy. Fortunately, most modern cars have an immobilizer and you can’t start the car using the original key. However you can use a spare key to open the doors and trunk of your car.
3. Make a Copy
It wasn’t long ago that misplacing keys to your car was not an issue. You could find a duplicate for less than $10 at your local hardware store. Nowadays, things are a bit more complicated. A lot of modern cars come with keys that lock and opens the car as well as controlling many of the vehicle’s functions.
Those are much more expensive to replace, especially when you don’t have an extra key. The good thing is that if have roadside assistance insurance the insurer will pay to dispatch a locksmith to make the new key for you. However, you will have to pay for the cost of the replacement key.
Another option is to visit the dealer where you purchased your car, and see if they can create an original duplicate for you. This will be more expensive than merely hiring a locksmith to make an entirely new key but it could be your only chance. Depending on the make and model of your car it could be difficult to locate an expert locksmith to work with your type of key. This is why having a spare key at home is always an ideal idea. Also, think about getting a smart tag (such as the Apple AirTag or Tile) to help track your keys.
4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Every car owner has lost their keys at least once. It is usually due to inattention or when they get lost in a bag or in a coat pocket. Losing your car keys can be a major hassle, no matter how it happens. It can ruin your day and cause lots of anxiety. There are a variety of ways you can find them quickly and easily.
First, make sure to repeat your steps. It might seem obvious, but this step is important. Take a look in all your pockets and bags and search for them, including the zippered areas. Check under your car and at home to see if there are any hidden drawers or compartments.
After you’ve carefully inspected the area and retraced your steps, it’s now time to contact your insurance company. This is particularly important if the car you own has transponders. These keys are only connected at an authorized dealer.
As long as you report your loss as soon as possible the auto insurance policy will cover any damages caused by another person using the key you lost to drive around in your car. This includes things like scratches on the doors or ignition.
It’s worth noting that in the event that you don’t file a claim for lost keys and your car insurance premiums will likely rise. However, it’s often cheaper to file a claim rather than to pay hundreds of dollars to replace one lost key for car key. It’s ultimately up to you to decide what is appropriate for your particular situation.
5. Call a locksmith
When you reach for your keys in your purse or pocket and they’re not there it’s a frustrating experience. The loss of your keys can be a major hassle and cause stress, anxiety or even panic. Rather than trying to find them yourself or call roadside assistance, it’s recommended to speak with an expert locksmith. Then, you can get back on the road swiftly and easily, without wasting time.
If you have to call a locksmith fast be sure to have the following information at hand. You will require the key identification number of the vehicle (VIN) which is usually located on the driver’s side door jamb or in the owner manual, and the driver’s license copy that is proof of ownership. This will enable the locksmith to determine what kind of key you own and which is needed.
If you have a spare key, this is also helpful to keep it in your bag. Many people keep spare keys in easy-to-find places, such as under the couch cushions or in an unopened pile of mail. It’s also worth contacting local police departments to determine whether any keys have been returned. Don’t forget to inform your insurance provider about the missing key. This will keep you from losing your claim if the key is found later. Otherwise, you could have to pay for replacing the key. A professional NYC auto locksmith can assist you if you need to replace your keys. They can create a new key at the site and reprogram the system to match your existing key. This is a much faster and cheaper alternative to going to the dealership.