Lost car keys: what do you do now?

Losing your car keys can be an almighty hassle and, unfortunately, it can be breathtakingly expensive to get a replacement. However, there’s more than one way to regain access to your car if your keys go missing and, if you’re canny with your methods, you can save yourself some money. We’ve listed the best methods for recovering lost or stolen keys, along with some useful hints to make the process as painless as possible.

First, before we go any further, write down your car’s VIN number. This will be useful information for dealers and parts traders when hunting for replacement keys. In newer cars, this will be found on a plaque set into the dashboard and will be visible through the windscreen. For older cars, refer to your vehicle’s log book (V5C).

What to do if you’ve lost your car keys

If you’ve already lost your keys, we won’t deny that you’re in a bit of a sticky situation. However, these are some of the best options for solving your current crisis.

Claim on your insurance policy

Some insurers offer key cover as standard on their policies, which can save you a sizeable personal expense. Depending on your insurer and the level of cover you pay for, the provided service can range from a simple key replacement to a full aftercare package, with a hire car to drive while you wait for yours to be repaired.

Just make sure to check your policy’s small print. If claiming for lost keys on your insurance will affect your no claims discount, it may make better financial sense to pay for replacement keys from your own pocket to keep your car insurance premiums low.

Call your breakdown service

Some breakdown service providers offer a mobile key replacement scheme and, most of the time, their services will be included in the cost of their cover. This method will be quicker and cheaper than visiting a dealership and it works well for drivers living in rural areas where dedicated mobile automotive locksmiths aren’t as numerous.

Find an automotive locksmith

You can find your nearest automotive locksmith by performing a simple Google search or by consulting the Master Locksmiths Association website. Automotive locksmiths can provide replacement keys for most cars quickly, as well as reprogramming your vehicle to prevent your old keys from being used in the future, should they be found by thieves.

As an added benefit, automotive locksmiths are generally mobile, meaning they can come directly to your stricken motor and issue it with a fresh set of keys on your driveway, providing you have proof of ownership for the vehicle and a form of photo ID.

Buy a new set of keys from a dealer

Granted, this is the most costly and time-consuming option, but it guarantees you’ll get a set of genuine replacement keys which can unlock your car, first time. Expect to pay upwards of £200 and, depending on whether your local dealership has the necessary equipment and expertise, waiting times could be up to 10 working days.

What about cars with keyless entry/start?

While losing your keys will indeed render you keyless, your car will still require an electronic transponder to tell it that it’s safe to be unlocked and started. This signal is supplied by a chip in your key, so you will still need to either find the key or get a replacement if your car has keyless entry. 

If you are getting a new key made, you’ll need an automotive key replacement specialist to program a new electronic transponder to communicate with your car. It’s this process that makes modern keys much more expensive to replace than the basic car keys of the past.

If your electric transponder key stops working, remember that most of these units have a physical key hidden inside that will let you open the car in an emergency.  

How to avoid losing your car keys

Here are our top tips on not losing your car keys in the first place or lessening the impact if the worst happens. 

Get a spare key cut on the high street

If you’ve still only got one key, it’s always a good idea to have a spare for emergencies (like losing it), so consider visiting a high street key cutter. Generally, they can provide replacement car keys in a matter of hours and offer considerably cheaper rates than franchised dealers. However, if you want a spare key with electronic programming (such as central locking functions) this will cost more than a basic spare.

Use a specific place for key storage

If you’ve had a long day, it can be tempting to just throw your keys down on the first surface you see when arriving home. However, if you get into the habit of storing them in the same place every time ( perhaps even using a storage hook), you’ll be far more likely to find them again the next day. If you have one or more spare keys, tuck these away in a secure location for use in an emergency.

It’s best to keep your keys away from the front door and preferably somewhere out of sight. You could also consider using a Faraday bag to avoid keyless car theft. 

Attach some keyrings and other keys

A bulkier set of keys is much more noticeable than a single one, and they certainly create a much louder noise when dropped. As well as being a touch more convenient, having your house keys and car keys on the same ring could help to prevent them from disappearing.

Check your pockets

If you’re wearing clothing with loose pockets (such as shorts) your key could wriggle its way out of the top if you’re not careful. Rather than taking a gamble, you could either change your outfit or find another safe storage space, like a bag.

Use a tracking device

There are a number of keyrings or GPS tags you can buy that will relay their live location back to your smartphone or a similar device. While this might seem a bit extreme at first, it’ll soon prove a blessing if the worst happens.

What information is required when getting a replacement car key?

In order to prevent a total stranger from getting a key made and stealing any car of their choosing, key suppliers (or at least the reputable ones) will require some proof of identification before they agree to carry out the work. This is the information that they’re most likely to ask for…

• Photographic identification with address (eg. driving licence or passport)
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Registration number
• V5C log book

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