Losing your car keys can be a frustrating and stressful experience. Whether you misplaced them or they were stolen, it is essential to know what steps to take to minimise inconvenience and ensure the safety of your vehicle. By understanding the situation, taking immediate action, and considering modern solutions and prevention methods, you can effectively handle the situation. We at Lock House aim to provide some tips you can utilise to best get out of the situation itself.
First, STAY CALM!
Listen we get it, losing your car keys is not something to just ignore, and we understand that this is the time to freak out. But we promise, It won’t help. You’ll end up making a dumb (and expensive) decision If you do so. Take a deep breath and remind yourself that there are solutions available to help you.
Whether you misplaced them or they were stolen, staying calm will allow you to approach the situation logically and increase your chances of finding a solution.
Common Places to Check:
Remember when we said you may end up making an expensive decision, first let’s avoid that and look at your person. Try and trace your steps and make sure you didn’t misplace them somewhere. Keys have a way of hiding in the most unexpected places, so it’s important to be thorough in your search. Check under cushions, between couch cushions, and even in the refrigerator. Sometimes, keys can end up in the most peculiar spots!
Check your pockets, bags, and the immediate vicinity of where you last remember having them. It is also worth retracing your steps to places you have been recently, such as stores, restaurants, or friends’ houses.
You Can’t Find Them, Now What?
Since you couldn’t find them, now is the time to take the rational steps:
- Call a Locksmith (Our Locksmith in Orange County can help you there)
- Call a Dealership
- Let Your Insurance Company know
Locksmith Option
A Car Key Replacement Service is what you need to be looking out for, as that can help you get a spare made on the spot with expertise in both counts. Mind you, a dealership may be twice as costly as a locksmith in regards to such small situation, so choose wisely.
When contacting a locksmith, it is essential to provide them with accurate information about your car’s make, model, and year. Next is to let them know your location, so they can get to you quickly. This information normally helps us determine the type of key you need and ensure that they come prepared with the necessary equipment.
Dealership
Many car dealerships have records of key codes and can assist you in getting replacement keys or programming new ones. This means that even if you don’t have a spare key, your car dealership may be able to help you out of this predicament. The following information is what’s needed when dealing with a dealership:
- Vehicle make
- Vehicle model
- Vehicle year of your car
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Insurance Company
Check if your car insurance policy covers the replacement of lost or stolen car keys. Some insurance policies offer this coverage, which can lower or eliminate the expenses associated with replacing your keys when dealing with locksmiths or a dealership. Just be prepared to provide them with the necessary information, such as your policy number and details about the incident
What Kind of Keys Can a Locksmith Make at My Location?
Speaking from our experience of helping hundreds of car owners, we’ve always been able to help our customers with every single type of car key. We’ve helped create keys without the need of a spare and our car key replacement has seen duplications ranging from
- Standard keys
- Transponder keys
- Remote Key Fobs
What Models of Car Keys Can a Locksmith Help Me With?
For a qualified locksmith, the makes or models of a car make no difference. It’s extremely rare (or incompetent) for a locksmith to be unable to help someone get duplicate car keys made regardless of the makes. From Audis, Toyota, Hyundai and much more.
A dealership only specialise in the cars that they provide, which can be a problem itself.
How Long Does It Take to Make a Spare Set of Keys?
In our experience, we’ve taken from 20-50 minutes depending on the type of car key we’ve been told to replace. We have blank keys available 24/7 so that time is something you won’t have to worry about in 2024 with locksmiths.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace Lost Car Keys?
The cost of replacing lost car keys can range anywhere from $100 to $300, depending on the make and model of your vehicle and the overall scope of the work. Most keys are cheaper but some of them aren’t as expected.
Modern Solutions for Lost Car Keys
Advancements in technology have introduced various modern solutions to address the issue of lost car keys. These solutions not only provide convenience but also offer alternative ways to access and operate your vehicle.
Keyless Entry Systems
Many newer car models come equipped with keyless entry systems. These systems allow you to unlock and start your car without a physical key. Instead, you can use a key fob or a push-button start feature. The key fob communicates with the car’s computer system, allowing you to lock or unlock the doors and start the engine with just a push of a button.
Keyless entry systems provide added security as they use encrypted signals to communicate with the car, making it difficult for thieves to intercept and duplicate the signal. Additionally, some keyless entry systems offer features such as remote start, allowing you to warm up your car before getting inside on cold winter mornings.
Smartphone Apps and Car Keys
Another modern solution for lost car keys is the integration of smartphone apps with car keys. Some car manufacturers offer smartphone apps that allow you to remotely lock, unlock, and start your vehicle. These apps work by connecting your smartphone to the car’s computer system via Bluetooth or a dedicated mobile network.
By registering and setting up the app before losing your keys, you can have an alternative way to access and operate your car. The app typically requires you to authenticate yourself using a passcode, fingerprint, or facial recognition, ensuring that only authorized users can control the vehicle.
In addition to basic functions like locking and unlocking, some smartphone apps offer advanced features such as locating your parked car, monitoring fuel levels, and even adjusting climate control settings. This integration of smartphones with car keys provides a seamless and convenient experience for car owners.
With these modern solutions, the inconvenience and frustration of losing car keys can be minimized. Whether it’s through keyless entry systems or smartphone apps, technology has made it easier than ever to access and operate your vehicle, even when the physical keys are misplaced or lost.
