Getting stranded outside without spare keys is an all-too-common occurrence. The last thing anyone wants is to be locked outside after dark, waiting for a locksmith. It’s not only incredibly annoying but can be costly if you have to re-key your entire home.

We’ll go over some practical advice to help you find your lost keys and even take you through some steps you can follow to get new ones.

What should you do if you lose your car keys or house keys?

If you’ve lost a car key and can’t find it, your next step should be to contact a locksmith service to help you get a replacement key. Many locksmiths can come directly to your home or wherever you are, especially if you have a traditional house or car key.

If you have a transponder key, there’s an RFID chip inside, which could make creating a copy of the lost car key more difficult. You’ll likely have to contact a local dealership instead.

A professional locksmith doesn’t need a duplicate key to create a new one; they can originate lost house keys by examining your home’s lock.

If you suspect your car keys were stolen, you should file a police report and work on getting your locks changed.

There are several methods a locksmith can use to replace your keys, including

• Creating a key from a code 
• Scoping the keyhole with a camera or tools to determine the shape and depth of the key 
• Taking apart or decoding a cylinder 
• Impressioning a key if the other methods don’t work

Here are a few steps you can take if you’ve lost your house or car keys.

Retrace your steps.

If you think you’ve lost your keys, you should first retrace your steps. If you were walking or driving somewhere, there’s a chance your house keys fell out of your pockets, or they dropped onto the parking lot.

• Where did you last have your car keys? 
• Where did you get out of your car? 
• Are you also missing a bag or keychain?

If you’ve lost your car keys and you can’t drive back to your previous location, it’s a good idea to call the restaurant or your friend and see if they have your keys.

Check the car.

If the car is still unlocked, don’t forget to check inside your vehicle. You should also look around the doors and underneath your car to see if your keys fell behind something. A colorful keyring can come in handy in this situation, since the keychain can make your keys easier to spot.

Contact the car or home insurance company (or both!).

Some insurance companies cover new car keys; if they don’t, they may cover the tow to get your car back to your home.

Contact a locksmith or dealership.

If all else fails, it’s time to get a new key. A professional locksmith can come to you if you’re stranded outside your home, but you’ll need some proof that the house or car is yours. Keep a copy of your rental agreement, house deed or car title on your phone if an emergency like this happens.

Can you get a car key made without the original?

A reputable locksmith can create a copy of your car key without the original, but like we mentioned earlier, you’ll need some information to prove that the car is yours.

An alternative is to go to your car dealer, though this will generally be more costly than a locksmith.

There are a few things you need to show the professional locksmith so they can make the appropriate key:

• The make, model and year of your car 
• The vehicle’s VIN 
• The car registration 
• The car title 

Your VIN can be found in several places, including your car title or insurance.

What to do if your keys are stolen

If you believe a key isn’t just lost but stolen, you should get your locks re-keyed. But before you do that, you’ll want to call the police to file a report and let them know that you suspect your keys were stolen. This is especially important in case of car theft.

Call the police and file a police report.

If someone has stolen your car key, let the police know where you were when the keys went missing. If you have an idea of who might have stolen your keys, give the police a brief physical description.

Alert your insurance company.

You should call your insurance company early in the process if your car key is stolen. Your insurance policy may cover a tow or the cost of a new key.

Change or reprogram your car locks.

If you have a key fob, you’ll need to go directly to a dealership to get the smart lock reprogrammed. If you have a nonprogrammable turnkey, you can contact an auto locksmith or dealership.

5 tips to help prevent key loss

If you’re often looking for your keys, you’re not alone. Many people lose their house keys, so you’ll likely lose yours at some point, too.

Here are a few tips we’ve compiled to help you prevent future key loss.

1. Always place your car keys in the same spot, so they’re easy to locate.

While some people have a dedicated spot for their keys, many of us are prone to tossing them onto any clean space when we get home. If you have one or two spots you always put your keys in, you’re far less likely to lose them.

Here are a few suggestions:

• A dedicated key bowl 
• On a hook or holder 
• Desk or sofa table 
• Inside a desk or nightstand drawer 
• A key box on a bookshelf

Pro-Tip: If you’re not driving your car somewhere, you should still take your keys with you when you leave home or give them to a trusted friend. If a burglar does break in, you don’t want them driving off with your car, too!

2. Group your keys together with a keychain holder or ring.

Even if you only have one or two keys, it’s a good idea to get a chain or ring and loop them together. A keychain can help make your keys more noticeable and easier to find if you drop them.

3. Create a spare key.

If you create a duplicate and give it to a friend or neighbor, you’ll always have an extra key when you need it.

It’s important to note that some insurance companies may not cover items if you’ve hidden a key and someone finds it and breaks into your home. Check your insurance policy before hiding any spare keys around your property.

4. Add a third-party key tracking device to your key ring.

A key finder, or key tracker, can help you keep an eye on your keys or other items. A key tracker connects to your phone through Bluetooth. If you lose your keys, you can activate the tracker, and your keys will start buzzing so they’re easier to find.

A few popular key tracker apps include:

• AirTag 
• Tile 
• Cube 
• Chipolo
•  SmartTag

5. Add a carabiner to your key ring.

A carabiner can help you keep track of keys when you’re on the go. Clip your carabiner to a belt loop and slide the key into your pocket, so you’ll always know where your keys are.

9 places to look for a lost key

1. On and around your vehicle, including the top, trunk and around the driver’s seat door.

2. You might have forgotten your keys inside the door lock, so it’s always a good place to double check!

3. Your pockets, including your jeans or jacket from the day before. Don’t forget to also check inside your shoes, in case keys fell into them when you took your shoes off.

4. Don’t forget to check small pockets or inside the bottom of your purse, grocery bags or backpacks. If you have books or papers inside your bag, open them and shake them out.

5. Next to the kitchen sink or inside a bathroom, where you might have placed your keys before washing your hands.

6. Underneath papers or books on a table or countertop.

7. The couch, including in-between and underneath the cushions and under the couch itself.

8. If you have a pet that likes to chew or tamper with your items, it’s a good idea to look in their favorite hiding places.

9. Keys can sometimes fall into open trashcans, so don’t forget to check any wastebaskets in your kitchen, bathroom or bedroom.

Never forget your keys again with ADT’s Smart Lock

Always have easy, keyless entry with an ADT smart lock. A smart lock makes it easy to access your residence—even if you’re not home. 

Receive live texts when someone is accessing your home or remotely let in a babysitter or tutor—no extra keys needed! You can even program your smart lock to have a different passcode for each family member or guest.

ADT's security experts are standing by to help you answer any questions about smart homes or smart locks.