Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
If you lose a car key, it's crucial to be aware of the various costs that are involved. You can copy a standard key from any hardware store, whereas an electronic key will require you to visit an auto dealer or locksmith.
However, if the fob is damaged but doesn't require to be reprogrammed, there are ways to reduce costs.
1. Type of Key
Car keys have a strange ability to disappear in strange places. They can be lost in your purse during shopping, are tucked between the couch cushions or fall through the crack in the back seat They're always a difficult to locate. In the past, you could simply go to your local hardware or auto locksmith store to get a replacement.
It can be expensive to replace the key fob or remote transmitter if you own an automobile with the latest 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 the loss.
Consider an insurance plan for your key fob that covers up to 400 dollars for each 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 own will also impact the cost. Certain keys are more expensive to replace. Simple metal keys that do not have key fobs for instance are relatively inexpensive because they're mechanical and can be replaced by a professional mechanic or locksmith. However, if the key is equipped with a transponder chip, it'll require specialized equipment to duplicate. These devices are available from car dealers or manufacturers and can be a major element in the price.
Laser cut keys can increase the cost of keys for replacement on cars, since they are thicker. They are made of metal that is molded into the desired shape and then cut using precision lasers to ensure a perfect fit.
2. Key Fob
The loss of your car keys used to be a minor inconvenience. You could buy keys replacements from a locksmith or car dealership and it was affordable to purchase it. As cars have technologically advanced, so do their keys. This means that replacing a lost key could be more expensive.
In the 1990s, key fobs became widely used to lock and unlock the vehicle without requiring a physical car key. These small plastic fobs have the button that when pressed by the user, signals the onboard computer to lock or unlock the vehicle. Some also contain a button that can activate the vehicle's alarm system or open the trunk.
replacement car keys with chips can cut traditional keys without a remote for an affordable fee. This is the same as those produced prior to 1990. Some locksmiths will even replace the fob that was lost while you wait.
Fobs with a transponder or another chip can be more costly to replace than standard ones. Reprogramming and pairing them can cost up to $200 and are only available from the original dealer of the car.
Many companies that deal with cars, including auto repair shops, car dealerships, and salvage yards may end having a lot of spare fobs that aren't attached to a specific vehicle. Some are available to consumers, while others require special equipment or technical knowledge to program. This isn't something that the average person can do. This is why it's ideal to keep a spare car key in your purse or pocket, and also add the GEICO Emergency Roadside Service to your insurance policy to make it more convenient should you ever require it.
3. Laser Cut Keys Keys
Laser-cut keys have deeper ridges, unlike traditional mechanical keys. They make them harder for car thieves to duplicate.
They also have slits inserted into the sides of the key blades that allow them to be inserted into the door and ignition cylinder lock from either direction. These are the most popular car keys on the market today. They are more popular than key fobs, due to their more security and convenience.
It is crucial that the company cutting the keys has the correct equipment. Otherwise, you'll end up with a key that does not perform as expected. It is also important to consider the quality of the knife because a knife that isn't of the highest quality could damage your key cutting machine or cause it to break inside the ignition cylinder.
To cut a laser-cut key locksmiths will require your vehicle identification number (VIN). Once they have your VIN, they will run the information through a computer to retrieve the specifications of your vehicle. Then, they will use the CNC to cut the key in accordance with these specifications.
They are usually only available through dealerships. They are however, less costly than traditional key fobs and have the added bonus of being difficult to duplicate.
The labor costs for a typical laser-cut, all-in-one key could range from $150 to $250. These keys have to be programmed by the dealer. They are nevertheless one of the most secure and practical keys for cars available today.
4. Switchblade Keys
Many modern vehicles have key fobs that lock and unlock the doors, and turn on the engine. These aren't mechanical keys that can be easily duplicated by locksmiths and key cutters. Instead, they feature transponder chip technology in the. The chip has to be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer to the vehicle. These fobs are generally more expensive, and range from $50 to $100 for the basic model, and up to $200 for models with push-to-start functions.
Fobs that have what's known as a switchblade, which folds up when not in use, generally cost more to replace. These keys have shanks which retract into the fob, and then are released when needed. They are more secure than standard keys, which makes them a great alternative for those who need an extra key for valet use. The cost of changing these keys varies from $100 to $300, depending on the vehicle and the type.
In contrast to the crank key of the past, which was difficult, heavy, and dangerous to handle keys that are electronic are light and easy to handle. The keys for cars are more difficult to steal as they are cylindrical, a feature that can prevent the use of key duplicate devices used by criminals to create illegal copies of your car's key.
These keys that are completely electronic communicate electronically to open the doors and start the engine - some are even able to do so without being removed from the pocket of the driver. Changing these types of keys to cars can be expensive and will typically require a trip to the dealership which may or not include a towing charge.
5. Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are different from mechanical keys because they have the chip that sends a radio-frequency signal to the vehicle when the key is inserted in the ignition. The computer system in the vehicle reads the signal to determine if the serial number matches the one on the key. If it is the key's serial number, the vehicle will allow keys to unlock the doors and start the engine. This is done to avoid car thefts by making it harder to wire a car hot and also to start the engine.
Theoretically, this technology is effective, but smart car thieves constantly find ways to defeat it. In addition, the chips that are in these keys are not as durable as some would like to believe. They can get wiped out quickly, which could cause the key to stop working at all.
The cost of replacing a transponder key can be very expensive. The cost of the key blank could be as much as $50. Programming it is a cost additional. This requires a special machine that's only available in dealerships for cars.
It is recommended to find a locksmith professional who has the necessary tools to program transponder keys. It is also a great idea to have your vehicle's information ready, including the year, make, and model. This will help ensure that the right key blank is used, which can save you money in the long run. A locksmith can typically program a new transponder key for around $150, but it can cost as much as $180 for push-to-start cars equipped with remote transmitters or key fobs. These keys require a special programming service that can be done only by a licensed locksmith.