14 Smart Ways To Spend Your Left-Over Lost My Car Keys Budget Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

You will lose your keys at some point, no matter how organized you are. In the event of this happening it's crucial to be prepared.

It is recommended to contact a locksmith, or a dealership, depending on the vehicle. These professionals can create keys for replacement for your vehicle.

1. Retract Your Steps

There are few things more frustrating than losing the keys to your car. It can ruin your entire day, cause anxiety and even trigger unwanted phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter whether you are an organized person or not losing your keys could occur to anyone.

The best-case scenario is for them to turn up exactly where you left them (Parent Logic would argue this is always the case). In reality the situation could be much more grave. When you lose your keys, it is important to remain calm and retrace the steps.

Remember that many things don't go unnoticed forever and can be discovered in the most unlikely places. So, before resorting to extreme measures it's a good idea to retrace your steps and thoroughly search. To do this it's recommended to carry a flashlight with you to aid you in searching dark corners and drawers. You could also ask a family member or friend member to help you search for a second pair of eyes can be beneficial.

2. Check the Inside

If you're still not finding your car keys after returning to your location and looking in the usual places, such as key hooks, look for them inside of pockets, bags and jackets that you've worn or used recently. If you lost your keys in a shop, ask other shoppers or employees if they have noticed something different.

It might seem obvious to look in your bags and pockets for your missing car keys However, it's essential to do it in a thorough manner. Clean your pockets, including those on jackets and purses. Feel around all zippered areas. It's also a good idea to comb through the trash and recycling bin in the event that your keys were to fall out of your bag and were crushed by something other.

It could be beneficial to go through your steps again and look for places you are sure they aren't, such as the freezer or refrigerator. Many items are lost when we reach for something, but then we take it away and then forget about it.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a tough day and just want to go home, put on your comfortable sweats, have pizza, and watch your favorite show. But, you discover that your car keys have disappeared.

Examine desks and pockets that are too filled with. It's also not uncommon to lose your keys in a crowded spot like on the handle of a door or in the refrigerator, so make 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 ensure that you can easily open the gas cap on your car from outside. Otherwise, a thief might be able see the keys you have hidden under your car.

You can also hide your keys in a small nook on the dashboard or under the seat. Just be careful that you don't secure them too tightly, as you could accidentally crush them when you close the car door.

4. Call the police

Sometimes, we lose things because we are just a bit distracted. You may be doing a quick errand, and you have left your keys in the car seat. Or maybe you need two hands to pick up a bag of groceries. It happens to everyone.


When you lose something, it is important to contact the police away. This way, you can file a report and help protect your vehicle from thieves. This is crucial in the event that you lose your keys outside your home, in the shop or in public.

Make sure to go through all of your steps before you begin. Try to play the role of Sherlock Holmes and recreate the scene in your head from when you last observed them. Asking people around you whether they've seen your keys is a good idea. This will keep your car safe and stop other people from stealing it. (This could lead to additional expenses such as new locks for doors and ignition). If you have a spare key it is always recommended to create copies of it in case something similar happens to you again.

5. Contact a locksmith

People often forget where they placed their keys, particularly when they're distracted or in a rush. There are a few simple tips you can use to aid.

Retrace your steps and looking for areas you think you might have left them. If you're still not able to locate them, check the car. It's not common for people to lose their keys under the visor or on the keychain.

Call a locksmith and ask whether they can locate your keys. They may be able make you a new key or even change your locks if required. They also have the tools and know-how to remove broken or bent keys from locked doors.

Be prepared to provide proof of ownership whenever you call a locksmith. lost my car keys can use your vehicle's registration or title. Based on the circumstances you may have to wait for a replacement key from the dealership, which can take several days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

You might lose your keys to your car at times and it could cause you to lose your day. You might have been running an errand that was quick and accidentally left your keys on the seat, or you might have sat down to take a look at something and then lost track.

Reporting a lost or stolen key to the police as quickly as you can is crucial. This will be recorded on paper and help prevent other people from using your vehicle without permission. This will also help you avoid getting fined.

The homeowner's insurance policy could cover your keys if you have reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. It is recommended to contact your agent and confirm that you are covered prior to making an insurance claim.

Consider keeping an extra key, or purchasing a Bluetooth tracker like Apple AirTags, Tiles or any of the other options available. This will eliminate the stress of having to replace your car keys, and provide you with peace of mind knowing that you always have your keys at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

It is possible to lose your keys at any time. You might be running a quick errand, and do not remember to put them on the seat. Or, you might be getting out of your vehicle after a long working day and not remember the place you put keys.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the future. The best method to prevent this is by using a Bluetooth key tracker. These small devices can be affixed to a wallet or keyring and connect to an app on your phone. The app will ring or flash once you open it to assist you in finding your keys. These Bluetooth trackers feature community features that allow other users to assist you in locating the keys if they aren't in reach.

Another excellent way to avoid losing your keys is to always keep them in the same spot each time you arrive home. It doesn't matter if you put them in a bowl on the entry table or an iron by the door. Making this routine a habit will help you locate your keys in the future.

8. Get a New Key

If you've lost your vehicle keys or they've been stolen, the most important thing to do is to notify your insurance company right away. This way, you can rest assured that your claim will be dealt with in a timely manner should anything happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you have a standard (non-chip) key, you can easily get a new one at any hardware or locksmith. This is the fastest and least expensive solution.

It may be more difficult for cars equipped with a smart key and require an electronic fob. You will likely have to go to your local dealer and present proof of ownership in order to obtain an updated key. Depending on the make and model of your vehicle this could cost upwards of $200.

To avoid this, keep an extra set of keys somewhere else than your keys. It's also an excellent idea to clean your office or home especially in areas where you tend to lose things.