Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
It is crucial to understand the cost involved when you lose your car key. You can get a copy of a basic car key at any hardware shop, but a smart key may require you to visit a dealer or locksmith.
However, if the fob isn't damaged and doesn't require changing its programming, there are ways to cut costs.
1. Type of Key
Car keys have a strange ability to disappear into unexpected places. They can be difficult to locate, whether they fall out of your pocket when you're shopping, end up stuck between the couch cushions, or fall into the crack in the back of your car. In the past, you could simply go to your local auto locksmith or hardware shop to purchase a new.
Nowadays however, it can be quite costly when you're driving a car with advanced technology, like key fob technology and push-to-start. The key fobs or remote transmitters used in these systems are tiny electronic devices, and they're packed with circuitry that could make them quite expensive to replace if you lose them.
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 are usually just a fraction of total replacement costs and provide unlimited replacements for stolen or lost keys as well as other benefits like towing or roadside assistance.
The type of key you have will also affect the cost. Some keys are more expensive to replace. Simple metal keys that do not have keys with a fob for instance, are relatively cheap, since they're mechanical, and can be replaced by a professional mechanic or locksmith. If your keys have transponders, you'll require an equipment that is specifically designed to duplicate it. These machines are only available from car dealerships or manufacturers and could be a major factor in the cost.
Laser cut keys are another factor that could increase the cost of a replacement car key, since they are generally thicker than regular car keys. They are made from metal that is then molded into a particular shape, and then cut using lasers that are precisely calibrated to ensure a perfect fit.
2. Key Fob
The loss of keys to your car used to be a minor issue. You could get a replacement key from a locksmith or car dealership and it was relatively cheap to do so. As cars 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 were popular as a method to lock and unlock vehicles without the use of the physical keys of a car. These small plastic fobs have an electronic button that, when hit by the user communicates to the computer in the onboard system to lock or unlock the vehicle. Some have buttons that activate the security system of the vehicle or open 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 automotive locksmith for a small fee. Some locksmiths can even replace a lost fob while you are waiting.
It's more expensive to replace a fob that has an electronic chip or transponder than if it was merely an ordinary one. These can cost upwards of $200 to reprogram and pair with an entirely new vehicle, and they are generally only available through the dealer who sold the original car.
Many businesses that work with automobiles, including auto repair shops, car dealerships and salvage yards may end with a number of spare fobs that aren't attached to a specific vehicle. Some of these can be sold to consumers, but some require special equipment and technical expertise to program, which isn't something that's easily accessible to the common consumer. This is why it's always ideal to keep a spare car key in your pocket or purse and also add GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy to make it more convenient should you require it.
3. Keys Laser Cut Keys
Laser-cut keys have deeper ridges unlike mechanical keys. They make them harder for thieves in cars to duplicate.
The key blades have cut-outs on both sides which allow the key to be inserted in the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. They are among the most sought-after car keys on the market today. They are more sought-after than traditional keys because they offer a higher level of security and ease of use.
If you're thinking of having a laser-cut key made for your vehicle, it's crucial to ensure that the company cutting them has the right equipment. You'll end up with keys that don't function properly when you don't. You must also think about the quality of the knife, since a poor quality knife could damage your key cutting machine or cause it to break inside the ignition cylinder.
The locksmith will need your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a laser-cut key. Once they have this information, they will run it through a computer system to retrieve the specifications specific to your vehicle. Then, they will employ the CNC to cut the key according to these specifications.
They are generally only available through dealerships. They are more affordable than traditional key fobs, but they also have an added benefit of being hard to duplicate.
Labor costs for a typical laser-cut, all-in-one key can range from $150-$250. These keys need 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 cars have key fobs that lock and unlock doors, and turn on the engine. Contrary to the older mechanical keys which are mechanical and easily duplicated by locksmiths or key cutters These newer car keys come with transponder chips which must be linked with the vehicle by a dealer or auto locksmith. These keys are more expensive. They vary from $50-$100 for the basic model up to $200 for models with push-to-start capabilities.
Fobs that have a "switchblade" key that folds up on itself when not being used they are typically more expensive to replace. They have shanks that retract into the fob, and then can be released at the touch of a button whenever needed. They are much more secure than standard keys, which makes them an ideal choice for those who require an additional key to use for valet. The cost of changing these keys ranges between $100 and $300 based on the car and kind of key.
Unlike the old crank key, which was difficult, heavy and dangerous to use keys that are electronic are lightweight and more convenient. They are also much harder to steal as they are cylindrical, a feature that assists in preventing the use of key-duplicate devices used by criminals to create illicit copies of the keys to your car.
i was reading this can open doors and start engines without the driver having to remove them from their pockets. The process of changing these kinds of keys for cars can be expensive and will generally require a visit to the dealership and may or may not include a towing cost.
5. Transponder Keys
Transponder keys are different from mechanical keys because they are equipped with a chip that transmits a radio-frequency signal to vehicle when the key is placed in the ignition. The computer system of the vehicle scans the signal to determine if the serial number matches the one on the key. If it is the serial number, the vehicle will let keys to unlock the doors and to start the engine. This is done to prevent car thefts by making it difficult to hot-wire a car and to start the engine.
In theory, this technology is effective, however, smart car thieves are constantly looking for ways to defeat this technology. Furthermore, the chips inside these types of keys aren't as long-lasting as some would like to believe. They can get wiped out easily, which could cause the key to stop functioning at all.
Transponder key replacement costs can be a significant expense. The key blank can cost as much as $50 and then there's the added expense of having it programmed. This process involves using a specific machine, which is only available at dealerships for cars.
It is recommended to hire a professional locksmith who has the necessary equipment for programming transponder key. It is also a good idea to keep all of your vehicle's information ready including the year model, make and year of the vehicle. similar web page will ensure that the correct key blank is used, and will save you money in the long run. Locksmiths typically can program a new transponder key for around $150, however it could cost as much as $180 for push-to-start cars equipped with key fobs or remote transmitters. These keys require a specific programming process that is performed only by a licensed locksmith.