Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key

It's important to know the cost involved when you lose your car key. You can copy a standard key from any hardware store, but a smart key may require you to visit a locksmith or dealership.

However, if the device is damaged but doesn't require reprogramming, there are ways to reduce costs.

1. Type of Key

Car keys have the ability to disappear in the most unexpected places. They can be difficult to locate, no matter if they fall out of your pocket when you're shopping, get stuck between the sofa cushions or fall into the crack in the back seat. In the past, you could simply pop into your local hardware or auto locksmith shop to purchase a new.

It's costly to replace a key fob or remote transmitter if you have an automobile that is equipped with advanced technology. The key fobs or remote transmitters that work with these systems are small electronic devices, and are packed with circuitry that can be quite costly to replace if you lose them.

This is why you should consider getting the replacement of your key fob insurance plan, which covers up to $400 per lost or stolen key. These plans usually cost a fraction of the total cost of replacement, and come with unlimited key replacements in the event of theft or loss as well as additional benefits like towing coverage and roadside assistance, among other things.

The type of key you own will also impact the cost. Certain keys are more expensive to replace. For instance, simple keys made of metal with no fob are fairly inexpensive since they're mechanical and can be easily replaced by an expert locksmith or mechanic. If your keys have transponders, you'll require specialized equipment to duplicate it. These machines are available from car dealerships or manufacturers and can be a major element in the price.

Laser cut keys are a different aspect that can raise the cost of replacing a car key, because they are typically heavier than regular keys. They are made from metal that is molded to an exact shape, and then are cut with lasers that are precise to ensure a perfect fit.

2. Key Fob

Losing your car keys used to be a minor issue. A car dealer or locksmith could offer keys to replace them that was likely to be cheap. However since automobiles have become more technologically advanced as well, so have their keys, and that means replacing a lost key can be a lot more expensive than it used to be.

In the 1990s, key fobs were popularized as a way to lock and unlock a vehicle without using the physical keys of a car. These small plastic fobs have the button that when pressed by the user, communicates to the computer in the onboard system to lock or unlock the vehicle. Some of them have buttons that trigger the security system in the vehicle or open the trunk.

A locksmith for cars can cut a traditional key without a remote at a small charge. It's similar to keys that were made prior to 1990. Some locksmiths will repair your fob while they wait.

It can be more expensive to replace a fob that contains a computer chip or transponder than if it were an old-fashioned one. They can Cost Replacement Car Key up to $200 to reprogram and pair with a new vehicle and are typically only available through the dealer who sold the original car.

Many businesses that work with cars, including auto repair shops, car dealerships, and salvage yards could end up with quite a few spare fobs that aren't attached to a specific vehicle. Some of them are accessible to the public, whereas others require specialized equipment or technical skills to program. This is not something that the average person could do. It's a good idea to keep a spare key in your purse or pocket. You can also include GEICO Emergency Roadside Service as part of your policy to make things even easier if you need it.

3. Laser Cut Keys

Laser-cut keys have deeper ridges, unlike traditional mechanical keys. This makes them more difficult for car thieves to steal.

The key blades have two slits that allow the key to be inserted into the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. These are the most common kind of car keys that are available in the present. They are more popular than key fobs because they offer more security and convenience.

If you're thinking of cutting a key using lasers for your car, it is important to make sure that the shop that is cutting them has the right equipment. You'll end with a key which doesn't function properly in the event that you don't. You must also think about the quality of the knife since a poor quality knife could cause damage to your key cutting machine or even cause it to break inside the ignition cylinder.

The locksmith will require your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a laser-cut key. Once they have your VIN, they are able to run the data through a computer to find the specifications of your car. They will then use an CNC machine to cut the key in accordance with these specifications.

These keys require special machinery to create, and they are usually only available at dealerships. They are more affordable than traditional key fobs, but they also have an added benefit of being difficult to duplicate.

For a typical all-in-one laser cut key, you'll likely have to pay between $150 and $250 for labor costs. The keys must be programmed by the dealer. They are still one of the most secure and convenient keys for cars available today.

4. Switchblade Keys

Modern cars typically have key fobs that can lock and unlock doors and start the engine. Contrary to the older mechanical keys which are mechanical and easily duplicated by locksmiths or key cutters, these newer car keys come with transponder chips that need to be paired with the vehicle by the dealer or auto locksmith. These fobs can be more expensive. They vary from $50 to $100 for the basic model up to $200 for models that include push-to-start capabilities.

Fobs that have what's known as a switchblade key which folds up when not in use. typically cost more to replace. They have shanks that retract into the fob, which then can be released at the touch of a button whenever needed. They are typically more secure than standard keys, which makes them a powerful deterrent for thieves and a great alternative for those in need of an extra car key to allow valet use. Changing these keys can run anywhere between $100 and $300 depending on the car and the kind of key.

These electronic keys are lighter and easier to use than the crank keys of the past, which were extremely heavy, complicated and dangerous to handle. These car keys are also much harder to steal as they are cylindrical, which helps to prevent the use of key-duplicate devices that are used by criminals to create illegal copies of your car's key.

These keys that are completely electronic communicate electronically to open the doors and start the engine. Some are even able to do this without having to be removed from the pocket of the driver. Making changes to these types of keys to cars can be costly and typically require a trip to the dealer and may or may not include a towing charge.

5. Transponder Keys

Transponder keys are different from mechanical keys due to the fact that they are equipped with the chip that sends an audio-frequency signal to the vehicle when the key is put into the ignition. The signal is then read by the computer system of the vehicle to determine if it matches the serial number of the key. If it does, the vehicle will allow the key unlock the door and start the engine. This is done to prevent car key replacement service near me thefts by making it more difficult to wire a car hot and to start the engine.

Theoretically it's possible that this technology will work, but smart car thieves always find ways to beat it. In addition, the chips that are in these keys aren't as durable as many would like to believe. They can get wiped out quickly, which could lead to the key not functioning at all.

Transponder key replacement costs can be very expensive. The cost of the key blank could be up to $50. Programming it is an additional expense. This procedure requires a specific machine that is only available in dealerships for cars.

It is advisable to find locksmiths who have the proper equipment to program transponder keys. It is also an excellent idea to keep all of your vehicle's information ready including the year model, make and year of the vehicle. This will ensure that the right key blank is used, which will save you money in the long run. Locksmiths typically can program the new transponder key for about $150, however it could cost upwards of $180 for cars with push-to-start capabilities with key fobs or remote transmitters. These keys require a specialized service that can only be performed by a certified Locksmith.