Are You Responsible For An Lost My Car Keys Budget? 10 Wonderful Ways To Spend Your Money

Lost My Car Keys? Here's What to Do

No matter how organized you are, there will come a time when you lose your car keys. It's important to be prepared for this eventuality.

Depending on the vehicle you have, the first call you must make is to an auto locksmith or dealership.  lost auto key  can make an alternative key that will fit your vehicle.

1. Retract your Steps

There are few things more difficult than losing your car keys. It can make your day miserable, cause lots of stress and even trigger unpleasant phone calls from strangers. It doesn't matter if you are an organized person or not the loss of your keys can happen to anyone.

The ideal scenario is that they show up exactly where you last left them. (Parent Logic says this is always true). However the situation could be more serious. When you lose your keys, it's important to remain calm and retrace the steps.

It's also important to remember that most things aren't lost forever, and they are often found in unusual places. Before you resort to drastic measures, it's an ideal idea to go back and look over your steps. Bring a flashlight with you to search for dark corners and drawers. You could also invite a family or friend member to join you in your search, as another set of eyes is often helpful.

2. Check the Inside

If you can't find your keys after retracing steps and checking common places such as key hooks, look inside pockets, bags and jackets that you have recently were wearing or used. If you've lost them at a store, ask others who are customers or employees to determine if they saw something unusual.

It may seem obvious to look in your pockets and bags for keys to your car that are missing, but it's important to do it in a thorough manner. Clean out all pockets you carry including purses and jackets, and make sure to check every zippered space. It's also an excellent idea to go through the recycling and trash bins in the event that your keys were to fall out of your bag and got crushed by something else.

It may be helpful to retrace your steps once again and look for places you know they aren't, such as the fridge or freezer. Many times, items go missing when we reach for them but knock them off and forget about them.

3. Check the Outside

You've had a tiring day and are eager to get home, change into your comfy sweats, eat pizza, and watch your favorite show. You find that your car keys are missing.

Check pockets and desks that are overly cluttered. You could also leave your keys in a congested space, like the handle of your door or in the refrigerator.

Under the car is another favorite place to hide. If you choose to hide your keys there, make sure that you can open the gas cap on your car from the outside. Otherwise, a thief could be able to spot the keys you have hidden under your car.

You can also hide your keys in a nook in the dashboard or under the seat. Be cautious not to place them too tightly, as you may accidentally crush them when you close the door.

4. Contact the police

We are prone to lose things when we're distracted. You may be running a quick errand and you have put your keys in the seat, or you might require two hands free to grab a bag full of food items. It happens to all of us.

It is essential to notify the police immediately if you have lost any item. This way, you will be able to file a report and help to keep your car safe from thieves. This is essential if you have lost your keys outside your home, at the shop, or anywhere else 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 mind from the time you last saw them. It is also recommended to inquire of other people in the vicinity whether they've seen your car keys. This will help ensure your car's security and also stop others from using it (which could result in additional costs like replacing ignition and door locks). It is a good idea, should you have a spare car key, to make a duplicate in the event that you lose it again.

5. Call a locksmith

It's normal for people to forget where they've put their keys, particularly when they are busy or distracted. There are, however, some things you can do to assist.

Start by retracing your steps, and then searching for places you think you may have left them. If you still can't find them, look in 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 have your keys. They may be able cut you a brand new key or even change your locks if necessary. They have the tools and expertise to remove bent or broken keys from locked doors.

When you do call a locksmith, be prepared to show proof of ownership for your vehicle. This includes your vehicle registration or title. Based on the circumstances, you may need to wait for a new key from the dealership which could take a few days.

6. Call Your Insurance Agent

There are occasions when you lose your car keys, and it can put a major downer on your day. It could be that you were running an task and left them on the seat or maybe you set your keys down to grab something but lost the track of it.

It is important to report a lost key as soon as you can to the police. This will leave a trail on paper and helps keep other people from using your vehicle without permission. It also prevents you from being punished.

Your homeowner's policy may cover your keys if you've reported them as lost to local police. They are considered personal property. However, it's best to speak with your agent to ensure you're covered before filing an claim.

Consider purchasing a Bluetooth tracking device such as Apple AirTags or Tiles. This will save you from having to go through the hassle of a car key replacement and provide peace of mind knowing that your keys are always at hand.

7. Get a Bluetooth key tracker

Sometimes you'll lose your keys when you least would. You could be out on an errand and forget to place them on the seat. Or you could be getting out of your vehicle after a long workday and not remember where you placed keys.

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent this from happening in the near future. One of the best is to make use of a Bluetooth key tracker. These tiny devices can be attached to your wallet or keyring, and can connect with an app for your phone. The app will blink or ring when you open it to assist you in finding your keys. The majority of these Bluetooth trackers also have community functions so that others can assist you to locate them if you are out of range.

You can also prevent losing your keys by always putting them in the same place every time you come home. It doesn't matter if it's in the bowl on the table in your entryway or on a hook near the door, keeping the habit will make it easier to find them in the future.

8. Get a Replacement Key

It is essential to inform your insurance company right away in the event that you lose your car keys, or if they are stolen. So you'll be able to rest at ease knowing that your claim will be handled correctly should something happen to the vehicle in the future.

If you own a standard key (which does not have chips) you can get an replacement from any hardware store or locksmith. This is the quickest and cheapest solution.

For more modern cars with an electronic key that requires an electronic fob, it may be a bit more difficult. You'll need go to your local dealer to get a replacement key. Based on the model and make of your car, this could cost you upwards of $200.

To avoid this, ensure that you have a spare key and keep it somewhere different from your keys. Decluttering your home or office is also a good idea, especially in the areas where you're likely to lose things.