Are You Responsible For A Lost My Car Keys Budget? 10 Terrible Ways To Spend Your Money Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

Whatever way you are, there's a time when you lose your car keys. When this happens, it's important to be prepared.

You should contact a locksmith, or a dealership, based on your vehicle. These experts can design a replacement key for your vehicle.

1. Retract your Steps

There are few things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety and even cause you to receive unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are a meticulously organized person or not, losing your keys can happen to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they return exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). However, in reality, things can take a more gloomy turn. It is important to remain calm and retrace your steps when you lose your keys.

Be aware that a lot of things are not lost forever and can be located in the most unlikely places. So, before resorting to extreme measures, it's a good idea to revisit your steps and conduct a thorough search. Bring a flashlight with you to search for dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to join you in your search, as another set of eyes can be helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you're still not finding your car keys after going back to your steps and looking in the usual places, such as key hooks, look for them in pockets, bags, and jackets you wore or used recently. If you've lost your keys in a store, ask other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something out of the ordinary.

It may seem obvious to look in your own pockets and bags for the missing car keys however, it's crucial to do so thoroughly. Empty your pockets, even those on purses and jackets. Feel around every zippered area. You should also look in the recycling and trash bins to see if any of your keys have been snatched from your bag.

It could be beneficial to go back again and search places where you know they're not like the fridge or freezer. Many things are lost when we reach for something, but knock it off and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've been working hard all day and are now ready to head home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza and watch your favorite show. You realize that the keys to your car have disappeared.

Check pockets and desks that are cluttered. It's also common to lose your keys in a crowded spot such as on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so be sure you've thoroughly checked those places.

Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you choose to hide your keys under the car, make sure that you can open the gas cap on your car from outside. If not, a burglar could be able to spot you hiding your keys under your car.

You might also try hiding your keys in a small nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be sure that you don't put them there too tight as you might accidentally crush them as you shut the car door.

4. Call the Police

Sometimes, we lose things because we're a bit distracted. You may be doing a quick errand, and you have left your keys on the seat. Perhaps you require two hands to grab an empty bag of groceries. It happens to every person.

If try what she says have lost something, it's crucial to contact the police away. You can then submit a police report in order to help protect your car from thieves. This is particularly crucial if you find your keys lost outside your home, at the store, or somewhere else public.

Be sure to retrace all of your steps before you begin. Try to be your own Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your mind from the time you last seen them. Asking your friends and family if they've seen your keys is also a excellent idea. This will help keep your vehicle secure and prevent others from using it. (This could result in costs like new locks for doors and ignition). It is a good idea, should you have a spare car key, to duplicate it in the event that you lose it again.

5. Call a Locksmith

People often forget where they placed their keys, particularly when they're busy or distracted. There are, however, some ways you can help.

Start by retracing your steps, and then searching for places you think you may have left them. If you're still not able to locate them, check the car. It's not uncommon for people to leave their keys in their visors or on the keychain.


Contact a locksmith and inquire if they can find your keys. They might be able to cut keys for you or alter the locks if required. They have the tools and expertise to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Make sure you have proof of ownership when you call a locksmith. This includes your vehicle registration or title. You might have to wait for several days for a dealership to send you a new key, dependent on the circumstances.

6. Contact Your Insurance Agent

There are instances when you lose your car keys, and it can put a huge impact on your day. You may have been running an easy errand and accidentally threw your keys off the seat, or you might have sat down to get something to grab for a second and lost track.

It is important to report a lost key as soon as possible to the police. This will result in a paper record and will stop other people from using your vehicle without permission. This can also allow you to avoid being fined.

If you've reported your keys as lost to the police, your homeowner's insurance may be able to cover them as they're personal property. However, it's still best to talk to your agent to make sure you're covered prior to filing a claim.

Consider keeping an extra key, or investing in a Bluetooth tracker such as Apple AirTags, Tiles or any of the other options available. This will save you from having to go through the hassle of a car key replacement and give you peace of mind knowing that your keys are always within reach.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you can lose your keys when you least would. You could be on an urgent errand, only to forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be leaving your car after a long workday and not remember the place you put keys.

Fortunately, there are ways to stop this from happening again in the future. The best method to prevent this is to use a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices are connected to your wallet or keyring and connect to an app on the phone. The app will flash or ring when you open it, to aid you in finding your keys. Most of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions to allow other users can help you find them if they are lost.

You can also prevent losing your keys by placing them in the same spot every time you arrive home. If it's in the bowl on your entry table or on a hook near the door, making the habit will make it easier to locate them in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

If you've lost your car keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company immediately. This way you can be assured that your claim will be handled correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have an ordinary (non-chip) key, you can easily get a new one from any locksmith or hardware store. This is typically the fastest and least expensive alternative.

It might be more difficult for cars that have smart keys and require an electronic fob. You'll likely need go to your local dealership and show proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. This could cost you up to $200, based on the model and make of your vehicle.

To avoid this, you should keep a spare set of keys somewhere else than your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a great idea, especially in the areas where you're likely to lose things.