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

Losing your car key can be a scary experience. There are many options to consider before calling assistance at the roadside or a locksmith.

Take a step back. This will assist you in finding your keys and give you a place to start before you take any more drastic steps.

1. Retract Your Steps

You could be stricken by losing your keys. It's easy to lose them and you may not be aware of it until you have to start your vehicle or go to your home. If you don't have a spare it could be a a hassle to get back into your vehicle.

It is important to remain calm and first take a second look. This will help you locate your keys faster and prevent you from needing to contact an expert locksmith or dealer to obtain a replacement key. Usually, the keys that you lost are in close proximity or have been dropped near things you've carried around. It's best to go through your pockets, purses and bags prior to you move on to retracing your steps.

Asking your family and friends if they've seen your keys is another great way to locate them. You can get helpful information from them and they will guide you in the right direction. This is especially helpful for those who live with roommates or family members.

If you have combed through your purses, wallets and bags but can't find your keys, it might be time to look inside your car. You might find that your keys are inside the vehicle, and you need to look at the right spot to locate them. This is a simple step that will save you a number of headaches.

Get a professional's help if your keys aren't inside the vehicle. It will cost you dollars, but it's worth it to avoid the stress of being locked out. You should get a spare key to avoid this problem in the future. You could also add a brightly colored keychain on your keys to make them easier to spot. This will ensure you'll always know where they are and can locate them quickly. This is a small but extremely worth it investment!

2. Empty your Pockets

Car keys lost and without a spare is a very stressful experience. It happens more than you imagine, and it always happens at the worst possible time, like when you are late to work. The best option in this circumstance is to remain calm and follow the steps below.

Retracing your steps is the initial step. This will help you determine the exact location and time you lost the keys. Afterwards, make sure to thoroughly check your bags and pockets. You should also look in the coats and jackets you may have worn. You can also ask the staff at any stores or restaurants you went to if your keys were there.

Leaving your keys in the pockets of your clothes is a great way to forget. This is especially true if your jacket or coat has a deep pocket. You should also check any bags you carry. Bags, messenger bags and backpacks are all places to hide keys that have been lost. Examine the inside of your vehicle to determine if you have any keys.

Empty all pockets from any bags you have on your. Also empty your messenger bag or purse completely. This will help you see the presence of keys inside the bag's lining. You can also use a flashlight in the darkest parts of your bag or wallet.

You can also wander around the house yelling louder than you could ever "car keys!" It may sound silly, but shouting out the name of something you are seeking will increase your chances of finding that item.

Contact a locksmith if haven't been able to locate your keys. They can assist you with an alternative car key and even install a new lock for your door should you require it.

3. Check Under the Car

It's common for things to be lost in the shuffle of daily errands, from grocery shopping to dinner with the family to an afternoon spent at the playground. Sometimes it's a debit card, or your most loved pair of sunglasses, but occasionally it can be the most important things like your car keys. If you don't have an extra, it could cause a lot of inconvenience and cause a lot of stress.

Take a deep breath and begin searching for your keys. Begin by looking in the most obvious spots first. Did you leave them on your coffee table as you walked out the door? Perhaps you placed them on the kitchen counter to get something from the fridge, but then shut the door and then forgot about them.

If you've cleaned out all of your pockets and purses (and if the lock was not locked, have someone help you search the car well) and then walked back through your day to find out where they could be missing, and then wiped out every surface that you're likely to remember passing by when you leave the home, it could be time to take a look under the car. You never know whether the key fob was lost in the gap between the cushion of the seat and the mat on the floor or was accidentally knocked out of your bag while you were reaching into your bag to grab something.

Of course the best way to avoid having a situation similar to this is to establish a routine of placing your keys in the same spot when you get home from work. It may take up to a month for the habit to become ingrained, but the more you stick to it and the more easy it will be to locate your keys next time you need to. If you'd like to be prepared in the event of an emergency, you can also add the GEICO Emergency Roadside Service to your policy. This will help you save money on towing costs or replacing lost keys.

4. Walk Back Through Your Day

Sometimes you get distracted by the day-today routine of your kids' activities, running errands, going out with friends for dinner and trying to complete all your work-related tasks that you forget something important. Unfortunately, losing your car keys is one of those situations that could make a mess of your plans.

Before you begin calling everyone you know to inquire them where your car keys are take a deep breath, and take a step back and try not to get stressed. Once you have regained your confidence, you can retrace the steps you did. When was the last moment you saw your car keys? This will help you figure out where they might have gone missing.

Also, be sure to empty your pockets and bags in which you may have put them in. It's also recommended to look in places that you wouldn't normally think to look, such as your shoe or in the pocket of a jacket or coat. Examine the location where you keep your keys at home. You might have put them on a table or else when you entered the home.

Losing keys to your car key spares is not enjoyable, but if follow these steps, you should be able to find them quickly and conveniently without having to contact an emergency locksmith or your family for assistance. The best way to avoid this kind of issue in the future is to setting up a designated area for your keys every time you get inside. After a few weeks you'll get used to it and no longer have to worry about losing your keys.