What to Do When You Can’t Find Your Car Keys!
People don’t realize how important their car keys are until they lose them.
Furthermore, losing your car keys can be even more inconvenient when you realize the cost associated with the remake of your fancy, new, technologically advanced car keys!
What really takes the cake is the fact that even though replacement keys cost hundreds of dollars, people still aren’t careful about where they place their keys.
In fact, a recent survey posted by the Telegraph claims that nearly 26% of drivers surveyed have lost their keys!
We want to ensure that our readers are always prepared for the worst-case scenario. We’ve outlined a simple road map for them to follow in case they lose their car keys.
1. Retrace Your Steps
There’s a high chance you dropped them when you tried to get your wallet out; or when you took your phone out of the pocket to receive/make a call.
However, if that proves ineffective, call places you recently visited to see if your car keys were found. Most restaurants and hotels have an effective lost and found policy; they keep a track of all unattended belongings found on their premises.
Use descriptive words to better describe what the keys looked like as this makes it easier for the employee to find your car keys!
2. Locate Your Spare Key
The importance of spare keys can never be understated. They can help you out if you can’t find your car keys, saving you hundreds of dollars in the process! The best thing about these spares is that they get you out of a tight spot by ensuring that your mobility isn’t compromised even if you’ve lost your keys.
These days, most Americans store their car keys separately or lend them to their friends or loved ones. So, if you can’t find your car keys, it’s time to use the spare. If you’ve lent them to a loved one, ask them to deliver the spares to you as soon as possible.
Once you get the time, make a copy of the spare to make sure that you’re prepared, if this happens again in the future.
3. Check Your Insurance
If your attempts to retrace your steps prove to be futile, you’re left with only one saving grace. In this scenario, we suggest looking through the insurance papers of the car; some insurance providers cover the cost of replacement keys.
Go through the insurance documents carefully as all mentions of replacement car keys are often hidden in the fine print. Once you’re positive that your insurance provider covers the cost of replacement key, contact them. This can save you hundreds of dollars.
However, if there’s no mention of replacement car keys in the insurance papers, you might have to try some unconventional methods to get back into the car.
4. Try a Hands-On Approach
This advice is for those individuals who’ve forgotten their keys in the car and are in a hurry to get somewhere. Luckily there are some simple and effective ways of bypassing your car’s locks which can be used when in a hurry.
Generally speaking, there are two types of locks installed in most modern cars, namely; post locks and switch locks.
Post locks are much easier to get around switch locks. If your car has a post lock, then you’re in luck as you can easily get them to open without breaking the window. We suggest using thin fabric like your shoe laces to form a slip knot. Once your knot is firm, slowly slide it in between the door and its frame. Lower the knot, loop it around the lock and apply steady an upwards force and your lock should pop open in no time.
Unfortunately, switch locks are much more complicated than post locks. Simply put, you need to locate the actuator to maneuver the switch as required. To pick a switch lock, you’ll need a long prodding tool. We suggest using a coat hanger as its firm enough and wouldn’t buckle under pressure. Get the coat hanger handle around the actuator, pull the lock and if you’re in luck, your locked door will unlock.
5. Call a Tow Truck Service
If that sounds too complicated to you or if you’re pressed hard for time, we strongly suggest calling a tow truck service. Towing is the easiest way to get out of this tricky situation as they can quickly move your car to ensure that you avoid parking fees.
Furthermore, some insurance providers classify roadside assistance and provide coverage for their services. This means that you can ask them to transport your vehicle to your house without having to a penny for it!
That being said, it’s important to realize that if your insurance doesn’t cover towing services, this can be a very expensive option. In addition to a small basic fee, most tow trucks charge by the mile. Therefore, depending on how far away you want your car delivered, you could be looking at a bill of more than a thousand dollars!
6. Call an Emergency Locksmith
By far the easiest and most cost-effective way of dealing with lost car keys is by getting in touch with your automobile locksmith. A locksmith can help you save a lot of money. They charge a nominal fee for their services and prevent you from having to invest in a new lock as they don’t damage your car’s doors.
That being said, you need to be extra careful when hiring an automobile locksmith as there are countless scams plaguing the industry today. Fraud locksmiths advertise their emergency services at eye-catching rates to draw maximum people in but cost them a lot of money by raising their rates and by destroying the car’s locks.
We strongly believe that automobile locksmith emergencies should always be handled by professional locksmiths that have years of experience in the business. They should be reliable, affordable, and, above all else, quick on the scene to deal with your emergency!
We at New York Locksmith Network offer emergency 24/7 automobile locksmith in New York City, and go out of our way to ensure that your door locks are in perfect condition when we leave.
Although we’re more renowned for our emergency locksmith services for commercial and residential buildings, we’ve also helped hundreds of people get back in their cars by providing them with reliable lost car key replacement in Brooklyn.
Contact us today and see the difference in quality of service for yourself!