Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
If you lose a car key, it's crucial to know the different costs that are involved. You can find a duplicate of a standard car key at any hardware shop, but the smart key could require you to visit a dealer or locksmith.
However, if the device is merely damaged and doesn't require reprogramming, there are ways to reduce costs.
1. Type of Key
Car keys have an uncanny ability to disappear from the most surprising places. Whether they slip out of your pocket while shopping, are tucked between the couch cushions, or fall into the crack in the back seat and are a bit hard to find. In the past, you could simply go to your local hardware store or auto locksmith and get a new replacement.
Nowadays however, it could be a costly proposition if you're driving a vehicle with advanced technology, like key fob technology or push-to-start. The key fobs or remote transmitters used in these systems are tiny electronic devices, and they're packed with electronics that can cause them to be expensive to replace if you lose them.
This is the reason you should think about purchasing the replacement of your key fob insurance plan that covers up to $400 for each lost or stolen key. These plans typically cover just a fraction of total replacement costs and offer unlimited replacements for stolen or lost keys as well as other benefits like towing or roadside assistance.
The type of key you have can also affect the price as some keys are more costly to replace than others. Metal keys that don't have keys with a fob for instance are fairly inexpensive, because they're mechanical and can be replaced by a professional mechanic or locksmith. If your key contains transponder, you'll need specialized equipment to duplicate it. These machines are available from car manufacturers or dealerships and could be a major factor in the cost.
Laser cut keys are another factor that can increase the cost of a replacement car key, as these are typically thicker than regular car keys. They are fashioned from metal that's molded into the desired shape and then cut using lasers that are precise to ensure a precise fit.
2. Key Fob
Losing your car keys used to be a minor inconvenience. You could purchase a replacement key from a locksmith or a car dealership and it was inexpensive to purchase one. However as cars have become more technologically advanced as well, so have their keys, which means replacing a lost one can be more expensive than it was in the past.
Key fobs became popular during the 1990s as an additional feature that allowed car owners to lock and unlock their vehicle without the need for a physical key. The small plastic fobs come with the button that, when it is pressed by the user communicates to the computer in the onboard system to lock or unlock the vehicle. Some are equipped with buttons that activate the security system in the vehicle or open the trunk.
A locksmith for cars can cut a key without a remote at an affordable fee. It's similar to keys that were made prior to 1990. Some locksmiths will replace your lost fob while they are waiting.
It is more costly to replace a fob with an electronic chip or transponder than if it were an ordinary one. These can cost upwards of $200 to reprogram and connect to the new car, and they are generally only available through the original car dealer.
Many businesses that work with vehicles, such as auto repair shops, car dealerships and salvage yards could end with a number of spare fobs not tied to a specific vehicle. Some of these are available to the general public, while others require special equipment or technical skills to program. This isn't something that the average consumer could do. This is why it's recommended to keep a spare car key in your pocket or purse and then add GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your insurance policy to make it more convenient should you ever need to use it.
3. Keys Laser Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys have more ridges unlike mechanical keys. This makes them harder for car thieves to steal.
They also have slits that are inserted into both sides of the blades that allow them to be placed into the door or ignition cylinder lock from either direction. They are the most popular kind of car keys that are that are in circulation in the present. They are more popular than key fobs because they provide more security and convenience.
It is crucial that the company cutting the keys has the right equipment. Otherwise, you'll end up with a key that doesn't work properly. Be aware of the quality of the blade, because poor quality blades can cause damage to the key cutting machine or even break inside your ignition cylinder.
The locksmith will need your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a key using lasers. Once they have your VIN, they will run the data through a computer to find the specifications of your vehicle. They will then make use of a CNC to cut the key according to these specifications.
These keys require special machinery to create, and they are generally only available through dealerships. However, they are much less costly than traditional key fobs, and also have the benefit of being difficult to duplicate.
For a typical all-in-one laser cut key you'll need to pay between $150 and $250 in labor costs. This is because these kinds of key need to be programmed at the dealership. They are among the most secure and convenient keys for cars available today.
4. Switchblade Keys
Modern cars typically have key fobs that are able to lock and unlock doors and start the engine. Contrary to the older mechanical keys which work mechanically and are easy to duplicate by key cutters or locksmiths, these newer car keys have transponder chips built in that need to be paired with the vehicle by the dealer or auto locksmith. These keys are typically more expensive, ranging between $50 and $100 for the basic version to $200 for models with push-to-start functions.
Fobs with the "switchblade" key, which folds in on itself when not being used, are usually more expensive to replace. automotive key replacement have shanks that retract into the fob, and then can be released at the touch of a button when needed. They are usually much safer than traditional keys, which makes them a great deterrent to thieves and a great alternative for those in need of an extra car key to allow valet usage. The cost of changing these keys ranges anywhere between $100 and $300 based on the car and type of key.
They are lighter and more user-friendly than the old crank keys, which were extremely heavy, complicated and hazardous to use. These car keys are also more difficult to steal because they are cylindrical, a feature that helps to prevent the use of key-duplicate devices that are used by criminals to make illegal copies of the keys to your car.
These electronic keys can open doors and start engines without having to remove them from their pockets. These keys are costly to replace and will require a trip to the dealer, which might include a towing cost.
5. Transponder Keys
In contrast to mechanical keys keys are equipped with a chip inside them that relays an audio frequency signal to the car when it is placed in the ignition. The signal is then analyzed by the vehicle's computer system to determine whether it is in line with the serial number of the key. If it matches the key's serial number, the vehicle will allow the key unlock the door and start the engine. The idea behind this is to prevent car theft by making it harder to hot wire a car and start the engine.
In the theory of it, this is efficient but smart car thieves are constantly trying to outwit this technology. The chips in these keys aren't as durable as people like to believe. They are easily cleaned out, which could result in the key not working.
The cost of replacing a transponder key can be a significant expense. The key blank can cost up to $50. Programming it is an additional expense. This requires a specific machine, which is only available at dealerships for cars.
It is therefore recommended to employ a professional locksmith with the right tools to program transponder keys. It is also a good idea to have your vehicle's information ready, such as the year, make, and model. This will ensure that the correct key blank is used, which could save you money in the end. Locksmiths can program a transponder-type key typically for $150, but for cars with push-to-start capabilities with key fobs and remote transmitters it could cost as high as $180. These keys require a specialized programming process that is performed only by a certified locksmith.