When you realize you’ve lost your car keys, your first reaction is probably going to be to panic. Even though you might know there is always a chance this will happen and that losing your keys is something you can deal with if you think it through, the fear of what might happen, particularly if you are away from home, can feel overwhelming.

This is why it’s important to know what to do next. If you have this information, you can stay calm and work through the steps one by one, ensuring that you get the problem resolved quickly and as painlessly as possible. Read on to find out what you should do so you never have to worry again.

Stay with the Vehicle

You should stay with your vehicle unless it’s absolutely necessary to leave it (perhaps because you’re not in a good area, the road isn’t safe, or you don’t have a cell phone to call for help and will have to go and find a phone). Waiting with your vehicle until help arrives means that anyone coming to help you will find you more easily, and the situation can be resolved more quickly.

If there are two of you, one person could go and look for help if need be, but ideally, you should all stay with the car and wait. In this way, no one is going to get hurt or lost, and the car will also be protected from opportunistic thieves. If you’ve lost your keys in a public place, someone may have picked them up and be waiting for you to leave the vehicle before they take it, so do watch out.

Call a Tow Truck

If the locksmith can’t get to you right away or you want to get to a safer place while you wait, you’ll need to call the closest tow truck you can find. This might be something your insurance will cover, although it will depend on your policy, so it’s best to check first rather than assuming anything.

When you have your vehicle towed, you can choose where it is taken to, so you might go directly to the locksmith, or perhaps you want to go to a mechanic or even to your home. Make sure this is something you discuss with the tow truck company before you engage them.

Call a Locksmith

If you have searched everywhere for your keys and are still coming up with nothing, you’ll need to call a reputable locksmith. Make sure you contact one that can help with your specific needs. For example, if you are looking for help with security van locks, search for a locksmith who can offer this kind of assistance.

A mobile locksmith can come to you and change the locks on your vehicle to ensure that you can drive it away and that no one else can get into it if they have the old keys. Remember that if you find the old keys after this has been done, they will no longer be useful, and you can dispose of them safely.