Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
When you lose a car key, you need to understand the various costs that are involved. You can copy a basic key at any hardware store, while the smart key might require you to visit a locksmith or dealership.
There are ways to save money if your device is not damaged and doesn't require reprogramming.
1. Type of Key
Car keys have a strange ability to disappear in unexpected places. Whether they slip out of your purse during shopping, or get stuck between the sofa cushions, or fall down the crack of the back seat and are a difficult to locate. In the past, you could simply visit your local auto locksmith or hardware store to get a replacement.
Nowadays it can be quite costly when you're driving a car that is equipped with modern technology, such as key fob technology or push-to-start. The key fobs or remote transmitters that are used with these systems are tiny electronic devices, and they're packed with circuitry that can make them quite expensive to replace if you lose them.
This is the reason you should consider obtaining a key fob replacement insurance plan, which covers up to $400 for each lost or stolen key. These plans usually cost less than total cost of replacement and offer unlimited key replacement s for lost or stolen keys along with additional benefits such as towing coverage and roadside assistance, among other things.
The type of key that you have will also affect the cost. Some keys are more expensive to replace. For instance, simple metal keys with no key fob are quite affordable, because 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 usually accessible through dealerships or car manufacturers, and could be a major factor in the overall cost.
Laser cut keys are a different aspect that can raise the cost of a replacement car key, because they are generally thicker than regular car keys. They are made of metal that is then molded into an exact shape, and then cut using precision lasers for a perfect fit.
2. Key Fob
In the past the loss of your car keys was a nuisance. You could buy an alternative key from a locksmith shop or a car dealership and it was relatively cheap to do so. As automobiles have become more technologically advanced and so do their keys. This means that replacing a lost key could be more costly.
In the 1990s, key fobs became popular as a method to unlock and lock the vehicle without requiring the physical keys of a car. The tiny plastic fobs include an electronic 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 in the vehicle or unlock the trunk.
A key that is not fitted with a fob is similar to the ones made before the '90s, and can be cut by an auto locksmith for a small fee. Some locksmiths can even repair a lost fob while you wait.
Fobs that have a transponder or another chip could be more expensive to replace than conventional ones. Reprogramming and pairing these can cost as much as $200 and are only available from the original dealer for cars.
Many businesses who work with cars such as auto repair shops or dealerships could have a large number of spare fobs. Some of these can be sold to consumers, but some require special equipment and knowledge to make use of, something that is easily accessible to the common consumer. It's a good idea to 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 it easier if you need it.
3. Laser Cut Keys Keys
Laser-cut keys have more ridges unlike mechanical keys. This makes them less prone to car thieves to steal.
They also have slits that are inserted into both sides of the blades that allow them to be placed into the door or the ignition cylinder lock from either direction. These are the most well-known car keys on the market today. They are more popular than key fobs, because they offer more security and convenience.
It is crucial that the shop cutting the keys is equipped with the correct equipment. Otherwise, you'll end up with a key that doesn't function properly. You must also think about the quality of the knife as a low-quality one can damage your key cutting machine or even cause it to break within the ignition cylinder.
The locksmith will need your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a laser-cut key. Once they have your VIN, they can run the information through a computer to find the specifications of your vehicle. They will then use a CNC machine to cut the key according to these specifications.
They are generally only available through dealers. They are less expensive than traditional key fobs but they also have the added benefit of being difficult to duplicate.
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. They are among the most secure and convenient car keys available today.
4. Switchblade Keys
A lot of modern cars use key fobs to lock and unlock doors, and also start the engine. Contrary to the older mechanical keys which are mechanical and easily duplicated by key cutters or locksmiths the newer keys for cars come with transponder chips that need to be paired with the vehicle by the dealer or an auto locksmith. These fobs can be more expensive. They vary from $50 to $100 for the basic model up to $200 for models with push-to-start functionality.
Fobs that have a "switchblade" key, which folds in on itself when not in use They are generally more expensive to replace. These keys come with shanks that retract into the fob and are released when needed. They are far more secure than standard keys, making them an ideal choice for those who require an extra key to use for valet. The cost of changing these keys ranges between $100 and $300 depending on the car and kind of key.
These electronic keys are lighter and simpler to use than the old crank keys, which were heavy, complicated and dangerous to handle. They are also much more difficult to steal since they are cylindrical, which can prevent the use of key-duplicate devices used by criminals to create illicit copies of your car's keys.
These electronic keys can open doors and start engines without needing to take them out of their pockets. Changing these types of keys to cars could be costly and generally require a visit to the dealership, which may or may not include a towing charge.
5. Transponder Keys
Transponder keys differ from mechanical keys because they feature the chip that sends a radio-frequency signal to vehicle when the key is placed in the ignition. The computer system of the vehicle reads the signal to determine if the serial number matches the one on the key. If it does, the vehicle will allow the key to open 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.
In theory, this technology is effective However, smart car thieves are constantly trying to outwit this technology. The chips inside the keys aren't as durable as many would like to think. They can be easily wiped out, which can result in the key not working.
The cost of replacing transponder keys could be high. The key blank itself can cost as much as $50, and then there's the additional expense of programming it. This process requires a special machine that's only found at dealerships for cars.
This is why it is best to hire locksmiths with the appropriate equipment for programming transponder keys. It is also recommended to have all of the information for your vehicle, including the year model, make and year of the vehicle. key replacements car will ensure that the correct key blank is used and can save you money in the long run. Locksmiths can usually program the new transponder key for around $150, but it may cost upwards of $180 for cars with push-to-start capabilities with remote transmitters or key fobs. These keys require a specific programming service that can be performed only by a locksmith who is certified.