5 Steps to Replace Lost Keys
There is a feeling of frustration and helplessness that many homeowners, car owners, and business owners have experienced at some point in their lives. This is usually brought about when you come to the realization that you have lost a set of keys. Most people lose their keys at the most inopportune time, and it seems that our keys are always around until we actually need them. However, let’s try not to focus on the things that we cannot find or the things we misplace, rather. Instead, let us focus on the things that people can do to get a new set of keys once they realize that they have lost their keys.
It is important to realize the weight that comes with lost keys. It does not only mean that you are inconvenienced because you cannot make your way back into your car, home, or office. Losing your keys implies that you no longer have any exclusive key control, because there is always the possibility of someone finding your keys and compromising your security. Essentially, the steps that will be outlined below are not just meant to ease your worry, but they will make your replacement process cost effective and safe.
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Do Not Panic
The first step to replacing your lost keys is to make sure that you do not panic once you come to the conclusion that you have lost your keys. If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering how avoiding a panic attack will help you replace your keys. The truth is, when it comes to various lockout scenarios, panic is the common denominator, in addition to lost keys. There are those who, in a fit of panic, attempt to gain entry into their car, home or office, but instead end up damaging the locking mechanism. This leads them to incur more cost and it still does not solve the problem of them having lost their keys.
Staying calm in this situation allows you to analyze available options. In some instances, you might be able to make your way back into your home or office and grab a spare key. There are those who forget that they even have spare keys, simply because they get caught up in the moment. Calm yourself, confirm that your key is actually lost and then work out how you can get a key replacement.
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Call A Professional
There are various lockout situations that people can find themselves in. These range from car lockouts, to residential lockouts, to commercial lockouts. No matter the type of lockout, each of those victims has a sole thought in mind, and that is to make their way out of a lockout and move on with their busy lives. In order to facilitate this, it is always advised that you contact a professional locksmith to get the job done for you.
This saves you time and minimizes the chance of anything being damaged. If you are locked out of your home or commercial building it will be a piece of cake for any professional locksmith to make you a new set of commercial or residential keys, and get you back in. If you are locked out of your car, you will have to provide the locksmith with the car’s VIN (vehicle identification number) in addition to some other verification information. This will give them the needed information to fashion a replacement key for your vehicle.
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Rekey Locks
In most cases that involve lost keys, a locksmith will have to fashion a spare for their client to use. There are many people who are content with this and go about their daily lives, forgetting that they have a lost key floating around somewhere. This is a potential flaw in security because it means that your key control has been compromised and this, in turn, means that your home security, auto security, and commercial security are compromised as well.
It is important that you do not forget about this once you have a new set of replacement keys in your hand. Homeowners should have a locksmith rekey their locks or they can attempt to do it in DIY fashion. This allows you to save money and also gives them the added benefit of having a completely new key. This act will ensure that the lost key can no longer be used.
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Contact Your Insurance
This is an important process that many people tend to overlook when they are trying to replace lost and, sometimes, stolen keys. There are insurance companies that will cover the cost of your key replacement. If you are not sure who to contact or where to go, they will also help you get in touch with trustworthy professionals to help you with replacements and rekeying locks.
The cost of replacing your keys might either be super affordable or expensive, and as such, it is beneficial to have insurance on your side. If you are unsure about the benefits that your insurance affords you, make sure to give them a call and go over your policy to see if key replacement costs are in there.
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Make Spare Keys
This final step should go without saying, but once you have lost your keys and had new ones made, you should also look into the possibility of making spare keys. This ensures that you always have a way back into your home should you ever lose your keys, break them or have them stolen.
It is advised to stow your spare keys in a concealed but easily reachable location that you will have access to no matter what.
Conclusion
As stated earlier, losing a key can be nerve-wracking, but these steps outlined above should help various people have an easier go at the entire replacement process. It shows you how to act when you realize your keys are lost, while also showing you the steps you can take once you have a replacement in order to make sure you are never stuck in a predicament like this ever again.
Author Bio
Ralph Goodman is a professional writer and the resident expert on locks and security over at the Lock Blog. The Lock Blog is a great resource to learn about keys, locks and safety. They offer tips, advice and how-to’s for consumers, locksmiths, and security professionals.