Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
It is crucial to understand the costs involved when you lose your car key. You can duplicate a basic key from any hardware store, whereas a smart key may require you to go to an auto dealer or locksmith.
However, if the fob is damaged but doesn't need reprogramming there are ways to reduce costs.
1. Key Type
Car keys have an uncanny ability to disappear in the most surprising places. They can be difficult to find, whether they fall out of your pocket when you're shopping, get stuck between the sofa cushions or fall into a crack in the back seat. In the past, you could simply go to your local auto locksmith or hardware shop to purchase a new.
It's expensive to replace a key fob or remote transmitter if you have an automobile with the latest technology. Key fobs or remote transmitters that work with these systems are small electronic devices that are packed with circuitry that could make them quite expensive to replace in the event of losing them.
You should therefore consider the possibility of a key fob insurance policy that covers up to $400 dollars per key stolen or lost. These plans typically cost a fraction of the total replacement costs and include unlimited lost or stolen key replacements along with additional benefits like towing insurance and roadside assistance, among others.
The type of key you own will also impact the cost. Certain keys are more expensive to replace. Basic metal keys without a key fob for instance, are relatively cheap, because they're mechanical and can be replaced by an experienced locksmith or mechanic. If your key contains transponder, you'll need an equipment that is specifically designed to duplicate it. These machines are available from car dealerships or manufacturers and are a significant factor in the cost.
Laser cut keys may increase the price of the replacement key for automobiles, as they are more substantial. They are fashioned from metal that is molded into the desired shape and then cut using precision lasers to ensure a precise fit.
2. Key Fob
The loss of your car keys used to be a minor issue. A locksmith or car dealer would sell you a replacement key, which was probably relatively inexpensive. As cars have become more advanced in technology as do their keys. This means that replacing a lost key can be more costly.
Key fobs were popular in the 1990s as an additional feature that allowed car owners to lock and unlock their car without the need for a physical key. The small plastic fobs have a button that, when pressed signals to the onboard computer of the vehicle to lock or unlock it. Some have buttons that activate the security system of the vehicle or unlock the trunk.
A locksmith for cars can cut traditional keys without a remote at an affordable fee. It's similar to keys produced prior to 1990. Some locksmiths will even replace lost fobs while you are waiting.
It is more costly to replace a fob that has an electronic chip or transponder than if it were an old-fashioned one. Reprogramming and pairing them could cost as much as $200 and are only accessible through the original dealer for cars.
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 are available to the public, whereas others require special equipment or technical knowledge to program. This isn't something that the average person could do. It's best to always keep an extra key in your purse or pocket. You can also add GEICO Emergency Roadside Service as part of your insurance policy to make things even easier in the event of need.
3. Keys Laser Cut Keys Keys
Contrary to traditional mechanical keys laser-cut keys have more grooves and ridges. This makes them harder for car thieves to steal.
The key blades have slits on both sides that permit the key to be put into the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. They are the most popular kind of car keys that are available today. They are more popular than key fobs, due to their more security and convenience.
If you're interested in having a laser-cut key made for your vehicle, it's crucial to ensure that the shop that is cutting them has the right equipment. You'll end with an unusable key that doesn't perform as expected when you don't. You should also be aware of the quality of the blade, because low-quality ones can damage the key cutting machine or even break inside your ignition cylinder.
The locksmith will need your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a laser-cutted key. Once they have your VIN, they are able to run the information through a computer to find the specifications of your vehicle. Then, they'll use the CNC to cut the key according to these specifications.
They are usually only available through dealerships. They are more affordable than traditional key fobs, but they also have the added benefit of being hard to duplicate.
The labor costs for a typical laser-cut, all-in-one key will likely range between $150 to $250. The keys must be programmed by the dealer. But, they are one of the most secure and convenient car keys on the market today.
4. Switchblade Keys
Many modern cars have key fobs that lock and unlock doors, and also start the engine. auto key replacement to the older mechanical keys which work mechanically and are easily duplicated by key cutters or locksmiths, these newer car keys have transponder chips built in which must be linked with the vehicle by the dealer or auto locksmith. The fobs are typically more expensive, ranging between $50 and $100 for the basic model to $200 for models that have push-to-start capabilities.
Fobs that have a "switchblade" key that folds over itself when not being used, are usually more expensive to replace. These keys have shanks that retract into the fob, which then pops out at the push of a button when needed. They are usually much 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 usage. Keys that are changed can cost between $100 and $300, depending on the car and the kind of key.
The electronic keys are lighter and more user-friendly than the crank keys of the past that were difficult, heavy and hazardous to use. They are also much more difficult to steal as they are cylindrical, a feature that can prevent the use of key-duplicate devices used by criminals to make illegal copies of the keys to your car.
These keys that are completely electronic communicate electronically to open the doors and start the engine. Some are able to do so without being removed from the pocket of the driver. The process of changing these kinds of keys for cars could be costly and typically require a trip to the dealer which may or not include a towing cost.
5. Transponder Keys
Unlike mechanical keys, transponder keys have a chip in them that transmits the radio frequency signal to the car whenever it is placed in the ignition. The computer system of the vehicle scans the signal to determine whether the serial number is identical to the one on the key. If it does, the car will let the key unlock the door and begin the engine. The purpose behind this is to deter car theft by making it harder to hot wire a car and start the engine.
In the theory of it, this is efficient However, smart car thieves are constantly looking for ways to defeat this technology. Additionally, the chips in these types of keys aren't as long-lasting as some would like to believe. They can be destroyed quickly, which can lead to the key not working at all.
car key replacement of replacing transponder keys can be high. The key blank itself could cost up to $50, and then there's the cost of programming it. This procedure requires an exclusive machine that is only available at dealerships for cars.
It is recommended to employ a professional locksmith with the right equipment for programming transponder key. It is also a good idea to have all of the information for your vehicle including the year and make, as well as the model. This will ensure that the right key blank is used and could save you money in the long run. Locksmiths can usually program the new transponder key for about $150, however it could cost as much as $180 for push-to-start cars equipped with remote transmitters or key fobs. These keys require a specialized programming service that can be performed only by a locksmith who is certified.