Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
When you lose a car key, you need to be aware of the various costs involved. You can copy a standard key from any hardware store, while a smart key may require you to visit an auto dealer or locksmith.
There are ways to save money if your fob is not damaged and is not in need of reprogramming.
1. Type of Key
Car keys have an uncanny ability to disappear in the most surprising places. If funny post disappear from your pocket while shopping, get wedged between the couch cushions or fall through the crack in the back seat They're always a bit hard to find. In the past, you could go to your local auto locksmith or hardware store and purchase a new replacement.
It can be expensive to replace a key fob or a remote transmitter if you have a vehicle that has advanced technology. These systems use remote transmitters and key fobs that are tiny electronic devices. They're also loaded with circuitry, which makes them costly to replace in the event of a loss.
Consider a key fob insurance plan that covers up to 400 dollars per key stolen or lost. These plans are usually just a fraction of total replacement costs and provide unlimited replacements for lost or stolen keys as well as other benefits like towing and roadside assistance.
The type of key that you have will also affect the cost. Certain keys are more expensive to replace. Basic metal keys without a key fob, for example are fairly inexpensive, since they're mechanical, and can be replaced by a professional mechanic or locksmith. If your keys have transponder, you'll need special equipment to duplicate it. These machines are available from car manufacturers or dealerships and can be a major element in the price.
Laser cut keys are yet another factor that could increase the cost of a replacement car key, as these are generally thicker than regular car keys. They are made of metal that is molded into the desired shape and then cut using precision lasers to ensure a precise fit.
2. Key Fob
In the past lost car keys was just a inconvenience. You could buy a replacement key from a locksmith or a car dealership, and it was likely relatively cheap to do so. However, as automobiles have evolved in terms of technology, so too have their keys, and this means that replacing a lost key could be more expensive than it used to be.
In the 1990s, key fobs became popularized as a way to unlock and lock vehicles without the use of the physical keys of a car. The tiny plastic fobs include a button that, when pressed, communicates to the computer onboard of the vehicle to lock or unlock it. Some are equipped with buttons that activate the security system in the vehicle or unlock the trunk.
An automotive locksmith can cut a key without a remote at a small charge. It's the same as those made before 1990. Some locksmiths will repair your lost fob while they wait.
Fobs that contain a transponder or another chip could be more expensive to replace than conventional ones. Reprogramming and pairing them could cost upwards of $200 and are only available from the original dealer of the car.
Many companies that deal with vehicles, such as auto repair shops, car dealerships and salvage yards could end having a lot of spare fobs that aren't attached to a particular vehicle. see this page of them are accessible to the public, whereas others require specialized equipment or technical knowledge to program. This is not something that a typical consumer could do. This is why it's always best to keep a spare car key in your purse or pocket and add GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your insurance policy to make it more convenient in the event that you require it.
3. Laser Cut Keys Keys
Laser-cut keys have more ridges unlike mechanical keys. This makes them more difficult for car thieves to steal.
They also have slits 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 commonly used kind of car keys in circulation in the present. They are more popular than traditional key fobs due to the fact that they offer a higher level of security and comfort.
If you're thinking of cutting a key using lasers for your car, it is essential to make sure the place that cuts keys has the appropriate equipment. Otherwise, you'll end with a key that doesn't work properly. You must 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 require your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a laser-cut key. Once they have this information, they can run it through a computer system to get the specifications of your specific vehicle. They can then use an CNC machine to cut the key according to these specifications.
They are generally only available through dealers. They are cheaper than traditional key fobs however, they also have the added benefit of being hard to duplicate.
For a typical all-in-one laser-cut key you'll probably need to pay between $150 and $250 for labor costs. This is because these types of keys must be programmed at the dealership. They remain among the most secure and convenient keys for cars that are available today.
4. Switchblade Keys
Modern cars often use key fobs that are able to lock and unlock doors as well as start the engine. Unlike older mechanical keys, which work mechanically and are easily duplicated by locksmiths or key cutters the newer keys for cars come with transponder chips that need to be paired with the vehicle by a dealer or auto locksmith. These keys are more expensive. They vary from $50 to $100 in the basic version up to $200 for models with push-to-start functionality.
Fobs that have a "switchblade" key that folds up on itself when not being used They are generally more expensive to replace. The keys are equipped with shanks that retract into the fob, which pops out at the push of a button when required. They are much more secure than standard keys, which makes them an ideal choice for those who need an additional key for valet use. The cost of changing these keys can range between $100 and $300 depending on the car and the type of key.
Unlike key replacement car , which was complex, heavy and dangerous to use, these electronic keys are light and easy to handle. These car keys are also more difficult to steal as they are cylindrical, which can prevent the use of key duplicate devices that are used by criminals to create illicit copies of the keys to your car.
The keys are entirely electronic and communicate electronically to open doors and begin the engine - some can even do so without being removed from the pocket of the driver. These keys are expensive to replace and will require an excursion to the dealer, which may include a towing charge.
5. Transponder Keys
Unlike mechanical keys, transponder keys have a chip in them that transmits the radio frequency signal to the car when it is placed in the ignition. The computer system in the vehicle reads the signal to determine if the serial number matches that of the key. If it matches, the vehicle will allow the key to unlock the door and start the engine. The purpose behind this is to deter car theft by making it harder to connect a car's hot wire and then start the engine.
Theoretically, this technology is effective however, smart car thieves always find ways to beat it. In addition, the chips that are in these types of keys are not as durable as people would like to believe. They are prone to being destroyed easily, which could lead to the key not working at all.
The cost of replacing transponder keys can be costly. The key blank can cost up to $50. Programming it is a cost additional. This procedure requires a specific machine that is only available at dealerships for cars.
This is why it is recommended to employ a locksmith who has the proper equipment to program transponder keys. It is also a good idea to have all of the details of your vehicle in order, including the year, make and model. This will ensure that the correct key blank is used and could save you money over time. Locksmiths can usually program a new transponder key for around $150, but it may cost upwards of $180 for push-to-start cars equipped with remote transmitters or key fobs. These keys require a specialized programming service that can be done only by a certified locksmith.