How to Replace Lost Car Keys It's an absolute nightmare to lose car keys. In the past, this wasn't a huge deal but it's getting more complicated as cars become technologically advanced. Keys can be lost when you accidentally knock them off the table while reaching into your pocket to grab something else. You can avoid such situations by keeping an extra key at home. 1. Call for a locksmith The loss of your car keys can be an extremely frustrating experience. But, there's also no need to be in a panic. If you know what to do and who to contact to get your car keys changed should be a matter of a few steps. You should try to retrace the steps you made. This may seem like a simple task but it isn't easy to do when you're in a rush or you're already worried about the loss of your car keys. Be sure to look in all pockets and bags in which you've put them down, as well as the space around your car. Contact a locksmith if can't find your car keys. Locksmiths can usually make keys for your car faster than a dealership. Plus, they can usually complete the task for much cheaper than the dealership will charge you. Some dealerships are able to create replacement keys, but may not be able to do this immediately or at any point. There are many dealerships that have a high volume of clients which means they may not be able accommodate you right away. They may not also be able to make an exact copy of your current key. You can also buy an online replacement key. Keys can be purchased on Amazon and other sites at a lower cost than what you would purchase from a dealer. However, they may not be able to cut and program the keys to your specific car model. Some insurance policies cover the cost to replace the vehicle's lost or stolen key. Therefore, it's worth checking to see whether you have coverage which will help pay for the cost of purchasing an additional key for your car. Remember that you'll need to prove ownership to the person or business who is responsible for creating the replacement key. This is required by law. If you're not able prove ownership, it can be very costly. 2. Contact the Dealership It wasn't long ago that misplacing or losing your car keys was not a big deal. You could easily get a replacement key from the dealership and it didn't cost too much to do so. However, this is no longer the case, because cars are more modern and keys are more expensive. It's not unusual to pay several hundred dollars for a brand new set of keys when you lose them. If you've lost your car keys the first thing you must do is act calmly. This will help you think clearly and make the right decision. You should also make sure that you have a backup set keys somewhere, like in your pocket or in the trunk of your car so that if you do lose the original keys, you won't be out any money at all. Check to see if your warranty or insurance covers the cost of replacing a key. This could help you save money in an emergency. The next step is to do an exhaustive search of your car, home and purse or wallet to find keys that are missing. replacing lost car keys can also go back through the steps you took, recollecting when you last held your keys and where you were at the time you lost them. This could help you figure out where they went and can be an immense relief. Contact your dealer if haven't found your keys after a thorough search. Dealerships are knowledgeable about the specific car you have, so they're the best option for a new key. They're usually busy and are not able to accommodate customers with short notice. This could make the process difficult. If you are able to get in touch with the dealership, they'll be able to make keys for you based on the VIN number that is stored on their system. They can also modify your immobilizer system which is required to start your vehicle. However, if you're looking to find an immediate, reliable solution that doesn't involve waiting at the dealership, a locksmith may be a better choice. 3. Call Your Insurance Company Not so long ago losing your car keys was not an issue. You could contact an locksmith to come to your place of residence and duplicate your keys at a reasonable cost. As cars have become technologically advanced, the keys are also becoming more expensive. Depending on the type of vehicle and the year the process of replacing keys for a car that have been lost can take several steps and cost hundreds of dollars. It's always a smart idea to keep an additional set of keys for your car in your pocket. This is especially true in the case of an area that is prone to danger or an area with a high rate of theft. While it may feel like a waste of time to call your insurance company, calling them will save you money in the end. Certain policies will cover the cost of a brand new car key, so be sure to check with your insurance provider before you lose a key and find yourself in need. If your policy provides roadside assistance, you should also consider this. If you have roadside assistance, someone may come to your aid. This is a much less stressful option than dealing with a dealer or locksmith. Before you call your insurance company, be sure to search thoroughly for your keys. If you think they're in your car, try looking in the trunk and under the seat. If you're at home, look in the pockets of the clothes you were wearing as well as in other places you may have a habit of placing them. Make sure you check any places you might have left them. For instance, your purse or an unorganized office. Call your dealer to replace the keys once you've tried to locate them. Most of the time this shouldn't be a problem and will be much cheaper than hiring a locksmith or going through the insurance company. Ask the dealer to make an extra key for you, particularly if your car doesn't have a remote. The dealership is usually able to create an additional key for you without needing to change anything else in your car. If you do this, make sure you keep the key in a secure and safe place so that you can locate it the next time you lose it. 4. Contact the police Notifying your car keys that you lost can help you locate the keys and keep you safe. If someone takes your vehicle without permission, they may be fined for driving it on public roads or on private property. If you report the keys missing before the person gets away with your vehicle, you'll know that there's an official paper trail of when the car went missing and who reported it. It's a common problem to lose keys to your car, but it doesn't need to be a disaster. You can replace your car key quickly and easily if contact the right people. If you follow the guidelines in this article, you'll be able to avoid any future key loss! Try to trace your steps. This will give you an idea of where the key might have gone missing, and it can also help you remember what you were doing at the time. For instance, if you were returning home from work and then went out to eat at an eatery, you might be able to remember that keys were in your pocket when you left the car. If you are unable to locate your key, you could have put it in the bag you carried around with things or on the table you dined at. Posting your key online is another good idea. This will be seen by a large audience and increase the chances of finding it. You can also contact local businesses and other bulletin boards. It's crucial to note down the VIN of your car before you begin searching for your keys. You'll require this information to replace your key It's crucial to keep it safe. The VIN is typically found on your driver's licence, however, it can also be found on your insurance card and in your car's owner's manual. Contact the police when you've exhausted all other options. You can obtain a temporary replacement car from the police department, and they will also file reports that are useful if your keys are ever found.
replacing lost car keys
