Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
If you lose your car key, it's important to be aware of the various costs involved. You can duplicate a basic key from any hardware store, whereas an electronic key will require you to go to a dealership or locksmith.
There are ways to save money if your fob is damaged but is not in need of reprogramming.
1. Type of Key
Car keys have a strange ability to disappear in unexpected places. They can be lost in your pocket while shopping, or get stuck between the sofa cushions, or fall through the crack of the back seat and are a difficult to locate. In the past, you could go to your local auto locksmith or hardware store and get a new replacement.
Today however, it can be an expensive proposition when you're driving a car with advanced technology, like push-to-start and key fob technology. These systems use remote transmitters and key fobs which are tiny electronic devices. They're also stuffed with circuitry, which makes them costly to replace in the event of the loss.
This is the reason you should think about purchasing an insurance replacement for your key fob plan, which covers up to $400 for each lost or stolen key. These plans typically represent just a fraction of cost of replacement, and provide unlimited replacements for lost or stolen keys, as well as additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance.
The type of key you're using can also affect the price and some keys are more expensive to replace than other. Basic metal keys without keys with a fob for instance are fairly inexpensive, as they're mechanical, and can be replaced by an experienced locksmith or mechanic. If your key has a transponder chip, it'll require special equipment to duplicate. These devices are typically available at dealerships or car manufacturers, and could be a major factor in the overall cost.
Laser cut keys are a different factor that can increase the cost of a replacement car key, because they are generally more substantial than regular car keys. They are made of metal that is molded into the desired shape, then cut using lasers that are precisely calibrated to ensure an exact fit.
2. Key Fob
Losing your car keys used to be a minor issue. You could purchase a replacement key from a locksmith shop or a car dealership and it was inexpensive to purchase one. As read here have become more technologically advanced, so do their keys. This means that replacing a lost key can be more costly.
In the 1990s, key fobs were popularized as a way to unlock and lock vehicles without the use of an actual car key. These small plastic fobs have a button which when it is pressed by the user communicates to the computer in the onboard system to lock or unlock the vehicle. Some also include a button that allows you to activate the alarm system of the vehicle or open the trunk.
An automotive locksmith can cut traditional keys without a remote at a small charge. It's similar to keys made before 1990. Some locksmiths will repair your lost fob while they are waiting.
It is more costly to replace a fob with a computer chip or transponder than if it was merely a traditional one. They can cost up to $200 to reprogram and connect to an entirely new vehicle and are usually only available through the original dealer.
Many businesses that deal with cars such as auto repair shops or dealerships might have a large number of spare fobs. Some of them could be offered to consumers, however some require special equipment and technical expertise to make use of, something that's easily accessible to the typical consumer. This is why it's ideal to keep an extra car key in your purse or pocket and then add the GEICO Emergency Roadside Service to your insurance policy to make it more convenient should you ever need to use it.
3. Laser Cut Keys Keys
Contrary to traditional mechanical keys laser-cut keys feature deeper grooves and ridges. This makes them harder for car thieves.
The key blades have slits on both sides that allow keys to be inserted into the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. These are the most well-known car keys available today. They are more sought-after than traditional key fobs due to the fact that they offer a higher level of security and ease of use.
It is important that the place cutting the keys is equipped with the proper equipment. You'll end up with an unusable key that doesn't function properly when you don't. You should also consider the quality of the knife since a poor quality knife could harm your key cutting device or cause it to break within the ignition cylinder.
To cut a laser-cut keys locksmiths will need to have your vehicle identification number (VIN). Once they have this information, they will run it through a computer system to retrieve the specifications of your specific car. They will then use an CNC machine to cut the key based on these specifications.
They require specialized equipment to create, and they are usually only available at dealerships. They are more affordable than traditional key fobs however, they also have the added benefit of being hard to duplicate.
For an all-in-one key that is laser-cut you'll probably be required to shell out between $150 and $250 in labor costs. These keys need to be programmed by the dealer. But, they are one of the most secure and convenient keys for cars available today.
4. Switchblade Keys
A lot of modern cars utilize key fobs to lock and unlock doors, and also start the engine. These aren't mechanical keys that can be duplicated by locksmiths or key cutters. Instead, they come with transponder chip technology in the. The chip has to be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer to the vehicle. The fobs are typically more expensive, and range from $50 to $100 for the basic version to $200 for models that have push-to-start features.
Fobs that have what's known as a switchblade key, which folds into itself when not in use. typically, they cost more to replace. They have shanks that retract into the fob, and then pop out when needed. They are generally safer than traditional keys, making them a powerful deterrent for thieves and are a good alternative for those who need an extra car key for valet usage. Changing these keys can run anywhere between $100 and $300 depending on the car and kind of key.
They are lighter and simpler to use than the old crank keys which were heavy, complicated and hazardous to use. They are also much harder to steal as they are cylindrical, a feature that can prevent the use of key-duplicate devices that are used by criminals to make illegal copies of your car's keys.
These keys that are completely electronic 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. These types of keys are expensive to replace and require a trip to the dealer, which may include a towing cost.
5. Transponder Keys
Unlike mechanical keys, transponder keys have a chip in them that relays an audio frequency signal to the car whenever it is inserted into the ignition. The computer system in the vehicle reads the signal to determine whether the serial number matches the one on the key. If it does the serial number, the vehicle will let the key to unlock the door and start the engine. The purpose behind this is to deter car theft by making it harder to wire a car and start the engine.
Theoretically it's possible that this technology will work, but smart car thieves always find ways to beat it. The chips in these keys aren't as durable as many would like to believe. They are prone to being destroyed quickly, which can result in the key not functioning at all.
Transponder key replacement costs can be very expensive. The key blank itself could cost upwards of $50 and then there's the cost of programming it. This procedure requires an exclusive machine that is only available at car dealerships.
It is therefore best to employ a professional locksmith with the right equipment for programming transponder key. It is also recommended to have all of the information for your vehicle, including the year, make and model. This will help ensure that the right key blank is used, which could save you money in the end. A locksmith can typically program a new transponder key for around $150, but it can cost up to $180 for push-to-start cars equipped with key fobs or remote transmitters. These keys require a specialized service that can only be done by a locksmith who is certified.