Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
It is important to be aware of the costs involved if you lose your car keys. You can find a duplicate of a basic car key from any hardware shop, but the smart key could require you to go to a locksmith or dealer.
However, if the device is damaged but doesn't require reprogramming, there are ways to cut costs.
1. Key Type
Car keys have an uncanny ability to disappear from the most unexpected places. They can be hard to locate, no matter if they slip out of your pocket while shopping, are stuck between the sofa cushions or fall into the crack in the back of your car. In the past, you could simply go to your local auto locksmith or hardware store and pick up a replacement.
It's costly to replace a key fob or remote transmitter if you drive a vehicle that has advanced technology. These systems rely on remote transmitters and key fobs, which are tiny electronic devices. They're also stuffed with circuitry, making them expensive to replace in the event of an eventual loss.
You should therefore consider a key fob insurance plan that will cover up to 400 dollars per key that is stolen or lost. These plans usually cost less than the total cost of replacement and offer unlimited key replacements for lost or stolen keys as well as additional benefits like towing coverage and roadside assistance, to name a few.
The type of key that you own will also impact the cost. Certain keys are more expensive to replace. Basic metal keys without key fobs for instance, are relatively cheap, as they're mechanical, and can be replaced by locksmiths or mechanics who are professionals. If your key has transponder chips, it will require specialized equipment to copy. These machines are available from car dealers or manufacturers and could be a major factor in the cost.
Laser cut keys can increase the price of a replacement key for automobiles, as they are thicker. They are made from metal that is molded to the desired shape, and then cut using precision lasers for the perfect fit.
2. Key Fob
In the past, losing your car keys was not a big inconvenience. A car dealer or locksmith could offer you a new key which was probably inexpensive. However since automobiles have become more technologically advanced as well, so have their keys, and that means replacing a lost key can be more expensive than it used to be.
Key fobs became popular in the '90s as an extra feature to allow car owners to lock and unlock their car without the need for a physical key. The small plastic fobs have the button that, when pressed, communicates to the computer onboard of the vehicle to lock or unlock it. Some of them have buttons that trigger the security system of the vehicle or unlock the trunk.
An automotive locksmith can cut a traditional key without a remote for the cost of a small fee. It's exactly the same as keys that were made prior to 1990. Some locksmiths can even repair the fob that was lost while you wait.
car key and fob replacement is more costly to replace a fob that has an electronic chip or transponder as opposed to an old-fashioned one. Reprogramming and pairing these can cost as much as $200 and are only accessible through the original dealer for cars.
Many businesses that work with cars, including auto repair shops, car dealerships and salvage yards could end up with quite a few spare fobs not tied to a particular vehicle. Some of them are accessible to the general public, while others require special equipment or technical knowledge to program. This isn't something that the average person could do. This is why it's recommended to keep an extra car key in your purse or pocket, and also add GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your insurance policy to make it more convenient should you need to use it.
3. Keys Laser Cut Keys
Contrary to traditional mechanical keys laser-cut keys feature deeper grooves and ridges. These make them more difficult for thieves in cars to duplicate.
They also have slits inserted into both sides of the blade that allow them to be put into the door and the ignition cylinder lock in either direction. These are the most common type of car keys available these days. They are more popular than traditional keys because they offer a higher level of security and ease of use.
It is important that the shop cutting the keys has the right equipment. Otherwise, you'll end up with a key that doesn't perform as expected. You should also be aware of the quality of the blade, since poor quality blades can cause damage to the key cutting machine or even break within your ignition cylinder.
The locksmith will require your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a laser-cut key. Once they have your VIN, they will run the data through a computer to find the specifications of your car. They will then make use of a CNC to cut the key to these specifications.
These keys require special machinery to create, and are typically only available at dealerships. They are however, less costly than traditional key fobs, and are also a bonus for being extremely difficult to duplicate.
For a typical all-in-one laser-cut key you'll be required to shell out between $150 and $250 for labor costs. These keys have to be programmed by the dealer. However, they are one of the most secure and convenient keys for cars available today.
4. Switchblade Keys
Modern cars usually have key fobs that lock and unlock doors and start the engine. Unlike older mechanical keys, which work mechanically and are easy to duplicate by key cutters or locksmiths These newer car keys contain transponder chips which must be linked with the vehicle by the dealer or auto locksmith. These fobs are generally more expensive, and range between $50 and $100 for the basic version to $200 for models with push-to-start features.
Fobs that contain what's known as a switchblade key which folds into itself when not in use, typically cost more to replace. They have shanks that retract into the fob, and then is released at the push of a button when required. They are more secure than standard keys, making them an ideal choice for those who require an extra key to use as a valet. The cost of changing these keys ranges anywhere between $100 and $300 based on the car and kind of key.
These electronic keys are lighter and simpler to use than the crank keys of the past that were heavy, complicated and hazardous to use. These car keys are also more difficult to steal since they are cylindrical, a feature that assists in preventing the use of key duplicate devices used by criminals to create illicit copies of your car's key.
These wholly electronic car keys communicate electronically to open the doors and start the engine - some can even do this without having to be removed from the pocket of the driver. Making changes to these types of keys to cars can be expensive and will typically require a trip to the dealership and may or may not include a towing cost.
5. Transponder Keys
Transponder keys differ from mechanical keys because they are equipped with a chip that transmits a radio-frequency signal to vehicle when the key is placed in the ignition. The computer system in the vehicle analyzes the signal to determine if the serial number matches the one on the key. If it does, the vehicle will allow keys to unlock the doors and to start the engine. The idea behind this is to stop car theft by making it harder to connect a car's hot wire and then start the engine.
Theoretically it's possible that this technology will work, but smart car thieves constantly find ways to defeat it. Additionally, the chips in these types of keys aren't as durable as many would like to believe. They are easily cleaned out, resulting in the key not functioning.
The cost of replacing transponder keys can be high. The key blank can cost up to $50. Programming it is a cost additional. This requires a special machine that's only found in dealerships for cars.
For this reason, it is best to hire locksmiths who have the proper equipment to program transponder keys. It is also a good idea to have your car's information ready, including the year model, make, and year. This will ensure that the correct key blank is used, and will save you money in the long run. Locksmiths can program a transponder keys typically for $150, however for push-to start cars equipped with key fobs and remote transmitters, it could cost up to $180. These keys require a specialized service that is only performed by a certified Locksmith.