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What to Do If You Lose Your Only Car Key In the chaos of life – kids, errands socializing with friends, and work – things are lost. It's not always the big stuff. Sometimes it's just the small things such as keys. For most vehicles keys, a new key can be purchased at your local hardware store along with evidence of ownership (car registration or title). This is a cost-effective option. Retract Your Steps There is nothing more difficult than losing your one car key and not being able get into your car. It could cost you time, money and peace of mind. The first thing you need to do when you lose the only key to your vehicle is to be calm. The stress of panicking isn't going to help you locate your keys quicker, and it could cause more damage. Begin by trying to remember when you last seen them. You may have dropped them when you brought groceries in or put them in your pocket when you ran an errand. You can locate your keys by retracing your steps. If trying to retrace your steps doesn't work, you can try noting down all the places you have been throughout the day. This will help you 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 underneath something and you might just be able to pick them up exactly where you left them. Look Inside Your Car It wasn't that long ago that misplacing or losing, a car key was not a major issue. In the past people kept a spare key in a small, tin-like box that was connected to their car. However, as cars become more technologically advanced keys are more likely now to disappear. Replacing a stolen or lost car key can involve several steps and can cost hundreds of dollars, based on the type of vehicle and year of the model. It is important to always have a spare key for your car in case you lose the original. Before you begin to panic about losing your car's only key Take a deep breath and try to stay calm. Once you've got your emotions under control, you can start working through the steps. Follow your steps and try to recall the last time you held your keys. It's not uncommon to hold your keys as 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 your vehicle, particularly the places where you usually place them. You might have accidentally thrown the items out of your bag or put them on your dashboard after you left your car to go to an establishment. Also, you should examine your purses, pockets and bags. It's easy to forget about things that are in the pockets of your coat, or in a large bag, so make sure to empty them and carefully examine every crevice. Contact a locksmith in case you are unable to find your keys. If you have an old-fashioned metal key with no electronic components, a locksmith could usually make you a new one right on the spot. If, however, you own a modernized key fob that includes chips, you'll have to contact your dealer and possibly provide proof of ownership to get an exchange. Make sure you are aware of your hide spots If you were in a rush to get out the door or distracted while trying to eat your sandwich and chat on the phone or even forgot your keys it's easy to lose them when you are busy. The good news is that most people have a spare key that they keep in their house or office that can be found in the right spot. It is crucial to examine every place where you've put your spare key. These include obvious places such as a purse, backpack or a sofa pocket, a stack on your desk, or in a dresser drawer. Have a friend do the same. There are also magnetic boxes and mini vaults that you could put on your car to store a spare key. These are perfect to hide keys since they won't fall off when you drive over bumps and will protect your key against the elements. A lot of these storage devices feature combination locks so that even if you hand the key to a person, they can't open it without you. Another method of hiding keys is to buy a fake rock that has an enclosed compartment. This is a great solution for outdoor areas, but you must be aware that thieves are usually looking for these items. If you do decide to use this method, try using dark duct tape to make it harder for thieves to see. The hood is one last spot to look. This is a good place to conceal keys to the gas cap, if you have one. It won't be visible. Be sure to make use of a sturdy piece of tape to ensure that the key won't fall off or scratch the paint on your car when you try to take it out. Car keys lost can be a real pain but there are ways to minimize their impact on your daily life. You can locate your keys by Retracting Your Steps and looking for the most frequent hiding spots. Calling a local locksmith will also assist you in avoiding wasting time and money. Call an expert locksmith Unless you have a spare set of keys the best thing to do if you lose your only car key is contact a locksmith. They can help you retrieve it quickly and will also provide you with advice on how to avoid this repeating itself in the future. You can also try contacting an auto key duplicate company. But, they'll require the exact model, make, model, and year of your car to duplicate keys. You'll have visit your dealer if your car is an older model or uses a smart fob. It can be expensive particularly if they have to purchase the correct key for your vehicle and it could take a few days or even weeks. lost keys of car don't know that locksmiths can provide the same service for only a fraction of the cost of a dealership. Most insurance policies cover locksmith fees and towing costs in the event of a lost key or stolen key. Some even offer roadside assistance that can provide professionals to assist you with getting into your car. It's worth checking the coverage of your comprehensive auto insurance before selecting an agent. It is also recommended to report your keys to the police immediately if you can. This helps to ensure that nobody else will be able to access your vehicle without permission, and it is also a way to protect yourself in case you're ever victimized by a robber or attacked. Notifying your keys will enable police officers to be on looking for anyone who might try to use your vehicle for illegal purposes. In the event of a worst-case scenario you could be protected from criminal charges if someone attempts to steal your vehicle. The most important thing to remember when losing your car keys is that you shouldn't panic. Instead, follow the steps above and seek the assistance of a friend or family member if needed.