Lost Keys to Car No Spare? Here's What to Do

Losing your car keys can be a terrifying experience. There are a few things you can do before calling roadside assistance or locksmith.

The first step is to retrace your steps. This will help you find your keys and give you somewhere to start before moving on to more drastic steps.

1. Retract your steps

It's easy to be stressed when you lose your keys. You might not even realize you've lost them until you're forced to enter your home or start your vehicle. It can be a hassle to get into your vehicle if you don't own a spare.

Be calm and repeat the steps you have taken. This will help you locate your keys quickly and save you from needing to call a locksmith or go to the dealership for the new key. Usually, the keys that you lost are close by or have been dropped near the item you've been carrying around. Before you start retracing steps, it's a great idea to search through your pockets, purses and bags.

Another way to locate your lost keys is to ask your family or friends members if they saw them. They may be able to give you useful information and point you to the right direction. This is especially helpful if you share a home with roommates or family members.

If you've rummaged through your purses, wallets and bags but can't find your keys, it could be time to check inside your car. Sometimes, the keys are inside the vehicle and you have to look in the right spot to see them. This simple step can spare you many headaches.

Get a professional's help if your keys aren't in the vehicle. This could cost you money, but it's well worth it to avoid the anxiety of being locked out. You should get an extra key in order to avoid this problem in the future. You can put an attractive keychain color on your keys to aid you in being able to see them. This will help you to always know where your keys are, and also locate them quickly. This is a small investment that will pay off big time in the long time!


2. Empty your pockets

It can be a traumatic experience to lose your car keys. It happens more often than you might think and always happens at the worst possible moment such as when you're running late for work. In this situation, it's best to stay calm and adhere to these steps.

Retracing your steps is the initial step. This will help you determine where and when the keys were lost. Then, go through your bag and pockets thoroughly. Also, take a look at any jackets or other outerwear you may have worn. It's also an excellent idea to ask the staff at any restaurants or stores you've visited if they've noticed your keys.

Leaving your keys in the pockets of your clothing can be a very easy thing to forget. This is especially true if you have an extensive pocket inside a coat or jacket. In addition to coats and jackets, it's a good idea examine any bags that you carry around. Purses, messenger bags and backpacks can all be hiding places for lost keys. Check the inside of your vehicle to see if you have any keys.

It is a good idea to empty all the pockets in any bag you have with you, as well as to empty your messenger or purse bag. This will help you see if any keys are stuck inside the bag's lining. You can also use a flashlight to illuminate the darkest places of your wallet or bag.

Another option is to go around the house yelling "car keys!" as loudly as you can. This might sound a little silly, but studies have demonstrated that shouting out the name of the item you're looking for will increase the likelihood of finding it.

If you're unable to find your keys, call a locksmith. They can assist you with an additional car key or even install a new door lock in the event of need.

3. Check Under the Car

When you're running a series of errands ranging from school drop off and pick up to grocery run and dinner with your kids, or even an afternoon spent at the park - it's not unusual for things to get lost. Sometimes it's a debit card, or your favorite pair of sunglasses, but other times it's more important items like your car keys. If you don't have a spare, it can cause a lot of inconvenience and be a big headache.

Take a deep breath and begin searching for your keys. Start by looking at the most obvious locations first. Did you leave them on the coffee table when you went out the door? Or maybe you put them on the counter in the kitchen to grab something out of the fridge, then closed the door and then forgot about them.

Check under the car if you've exhausted all your pockets and purses, walk through your day to see if you remember the places you passed on your way to the home and emptying every surface you may have walked across. You never know when the key fob fell into a crevice between your seat cushion and the floor mat or if you dropped it out of your bag when you reached inside to grab something.

It is important to make it a habit to put your keys in the same place each time you get home from work. It could take a few months for it to become a habit and the longer you can maintain this routine and stick to it, the easier it will be to find your car keys the next time you need them. To ensure that you're prepared in the event in an emergency, it helps to include GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service on your policy, which can save you the cost of a tow truck or replacing lost car keys.

4. Walk Back Through Your Day

It's easy to forget important details in the midst of your day-to-day tasks. This includes running errands and meeting friends for dinner. Losing car spare key maker can be a major disruption to your plans.

Take a deep breath before calling everyone you know and asking them where your keys are. Do not be anxious. Once you've regained your calm, you should go back to the steps you took. What was the last time you saw your car keys? This will help you figure out where they might have gone missing.

Then, empty the pockets or bags you might have used to store them. You should also check places you would not typically think of, like the pockets of your jacket, shoes or the coat. Also, look around the area where you keep your car keys at home. They may have been placed on a table or in a different location when you came inside.

If you lose your car keys, it's never fun. If you follow these tips, you can find them quickly and without calling a locksmith. The best method to avoid this issue in the future is by establishing a designated place for your keys every time you get inside. It might take a little time to get used this but after a while it will become a routine and you won't have to worry about them getting lost.