What To Do if You’ve Lost Your Car Keys

Our cars are among the most important assets we’re likely to own, so it’s no surprise that losing our car keys can be a bit of a nightmare. 

Whether you see your car just as a runaround to get from A to B or it’s your pride and joy, losing access can be extremely disruptive, frustrating, and at times, concerning. With this in mind, it’s important that they’re replaced as soon as possible. 

At Ken’s Autos, we’re experts in all key and lock repair services, including car key cutting which can provide you with a brand-new key to get you back behind the wheel. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at the steps you need to take should you lose your car keys.    

Types of car keys 

Before we explore the things you need to do once you’ve lost your car keys, it’s important to understand the type of key you own. This will help the locksmith when it comes to providing you with replacements. 

There are two main types of car keys, remote car keys and transponder car keys. 

Let’s start with remote car keys. 

This type of key comes in three variations. 

1. Remote fobs with a key – the remote will unlock the vehicle and turn off alarms, while the key is used to start the ignition. 
2. Remote entry fob with an integrated key – Just like the key above, the remote will unlock the vehicle and turn off the alarm, and the key is used to start the ignition. However, the key itself is part of the fob rather than being separate like the above.
3. Remote keyless system fob – No key is required to start the ignition. The fob will open and lock doors and it just needs to be placed within the vehicle, and a button to be pressed for the car to start.   

What to do if you’ve lost your car keys? 

In the unfortunate event that you lose your car keys, it’s important to remain calm. Often, they may be simply misplaced and retracing your steps will help you find them. However, if this does not work and they are definitely lost, there are a few steps you should follow. Read on to find out more.       

1. Get together the documents you’ll need

It’s likely that your locksmith will require some identification before they carry out the work. This will be to prove that you’re the owner of the car. A driving licence and V5C form (this is the vehicle’s registration document) should be sufficient.      

2. Check insurance details 

One of the first things you should do if you’ve lost your car keys is to check your insurance details. Some insurers will pay out for lost car keys if it’s part of your policy, potentially saving you money on a replacement. 

The price of replacement car keys can vary significantly depending on the type of vehicle you drive. With this in mind, it’s always worth checking if your insurance policy can help. Typically, key replacements are not something an insurer will offer by standard, and will usually be an optional extra.     

3. Contact the police if you suspect the keys have been stolen

There is no need to contact the police if your keys have simply been lost. However, if you’re convinced it is a theft rather than just misplacing them, you should get them involved. Contact both the police and your insurer to inform them of the theft. It’s likely the police will want to take as many details from you as possible, so it’s always worthwhile writing down what you remember so as not to leave anything out and to give them the best chance of catching the culprit. 

4. Contact a reliable locksmith

Alongside sorting out all of the various administrative tasks that come with losing your car keys, you should contact a reputable auto locksmith as soon as possible. It’s important to swiftly regain access to your car to minimise disruption, and a good locksmith will be able to do exactly that.

At Ken’s Autos, we have years of experience in key cutting, car key programming, fob repairs and ignition and door lock repairs. Our team combines innovative locksmith techniques, state-of-the-art technology and years of industry experience to provide a leading service that can create new keys for cars of every make and model. 

Whether you’ve lost your car keys and need new ones or simply want a spare set for your car, we’re here to help. Working across Derby, Nottingham, Mansfield and the surrounding areas, contact Ken’s Auto Spares today to find out more. Call our specialist locksmith team on 07801222997 or book online.