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Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key It's important to know the cost involved when you lose your car keys. You can copy a basic key from any hardware store, but the smart key might require you to visit an auto dealer or locksmith. There are ways to save money if your fob is only damaged and is not in need of reprogramming. 1. Type of Key Car keys have an uncanny ability to disappear from the most unlikely places. They can be lost in your purse while shopping, get wedged between the sofa cushions, or fall down the crack in the back seat and are a bit hard to find. In the past, you could simply go to your local hardware store or auto locksmith and purchase a new replacement. It can be expensive to replace a key fob or a remote transmitter if you own a vehicle that has advanced technology. The key fobs or remote transmitters that are used with these systems are miniature electronic devices, and are packed with circuitry that could make them quite expensive to replace if you lose them. This is why you should consider getting the replacement of your key fob insurance plan that covers up to $400 per lost or stolen key. These plans typically represent just a fraction of total replacement costs and offer unlimited replacements for stolen or lost keys, in addition to other benefits such as towing and roadside assistance. The type of key that 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 example, are relatively cheap, since they're mechanical, and can be replaced by a professional mechanic or locksmith. If your key is equipped with a transponder chip, it'll require specialized equipment to copy. These devices are typically available at dealerships or car manufacturers and can be a major driver of the total cost. Laser cut keys are yet another factor that can increase the cost of a replacement car key, since they are generally thicker than regular car keys. They are made of metal that's molded into a specific shape and are then cut using lasers that are precise to ensure a precise fit. 2. Key Fob Losing your car keys used to be a minor issue. A locksmith or car dealer could offer keys to replace them that was likely to be inexpensive. As cars have become more technologically advanced, so have their keys. This means that replacing a lost or damaged key could be more costly. Key fobs became popular in the 90s as an added feature that allowed car owners to lock and unlock their vehicles without the need for a physical key. These tiny plastic keys 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 of them have buttons that trigger the security system in the vehicle or unlock the trunk. A traditional key without a fob is similar to the ones that were made prior to the '90s and can be cut by an automotive locksmith for a small charge. Some locksmiths will replace your lost fob while they wait. Fobs that have transponders or another computer chip could be more expensive to replace than standard ones. Reprogramming and pairing them could cost up to $200 and are only available through the original dealer of the car. Many companies that deal with automobiles, 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 of these can be sold to consumers, but certain require specialized equipment and technical knowledge to make use of, something that's easily accessible to the average consumer. This is why it's always ideal to keep an extra car key in your purse or pocket, and add GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy to make it even more convenient should you ever need to use it. 3. Keys Laser Cut Keys Keys Laser-cut keys have ridges that are deeper in comparison to traditional mechanical keys. This makes them less prone to car thieves to steal. The key blades have two slits that permit keys to be inserted in the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. They are the most popular type of car keys that are in circulation today. They are more popular than traditional key fobs due to the fact that they provide a higher level of security and comfort. It is important that the company cutting keys has the right equipment. You'll end up with an unusable key that doesn't perform as expected when you don't. You should also consider the quality of the knife, because a knife that isn't of the highest quality could cause damage to your key cutting machine or cause it to break within the ignition cylinder. The locksmith will need your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a key using lasers. Once they have this information, they will run it through an electronic system to find the specifications specific to your car. Then, they'll employ a CNC to cut the key in accordance with these specifications. They are typically only available from dealerships. However, they are less expensive than traditional key fobs and have the added bonus of being extremely difficult to duplicate. Labor costs for a typical laser-cut all-in-one key can range from $150 and $250. This is due to the fact that these types of key need to be programmed by the dealership. However, they are one of the most secure and convenient keys for cars available today. 4. Switchblade Keys Modern cars usually have key fobs that can lock and unlock doors and start the engine. These modern keys aren't mechanical keys that can be easily duplicated by locksmiths and key cutters. Instead, they come with transponder chip technology integrated into. This chip must be connected by an auto locksmith or dealer with the vehicle. The fobs are typically more expensive, ranging from $50 to $100 for the basic version to $200 for models with push-to-start features. Fobs that have what's known as a switchblade key, which folds up when not in use, generally cost more to replace. They have shanks that retract into the fob and pop out when needed. car key replacement are much more secure than standard keys, which makes them an ideal choice for those who require an additional key to use as a valet. The cost of changing these keys can range between $100-$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 made of electronic technology are light and easy to handle. These car keys are also much more difficult to steal as they are cylindrical, which helps to prevent the use of key duplicate devices used by criminals to make illegal copies of your car's key. These electronic keys can open doors and start engines without the driver having to remove them from their pockets. Making changes to these types 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 Unlike mechanical keys, transponder keys contain a chip within them that relays a radio frequency signal to the car when it is placed in the ignition. automotive key replacement is then analyzed by the vehicle's computer system to determine whether it is in line with the serial number of the key. If it does, the vehicle will allow the key unlock the door and also start the engine. This is done to avoid car thefts by making it difficult to hot-wire a car and to start the engine. Theoretically it's possible that this technology will work, but smart car thieves always find ways to beat it. Furthermore, the chips inside these types of keys aren't as durable as many would like to believe. They are able to be easily washed out, which can result in the key not working. The cost of replacing a transponder key can be very expensive. The key blank itself can cost up to $50 and then you have the cost of having it programmed. automotive key replacement requires a special machine that's only found in car dealerships. This is why it is advisable to find locksmiths with the appropriate equipment for programming transponder keys. It is also a good idea to have all of your vehicle's information ready, including the year, make and model. This will ensure that the correct key blank is used, which could save you money in the end. Locksmiths can program a transponder-type key typically for $150, but for cars with push-to-start capabilities with key fobs and remote transmitters, it could cost up to $180. These keys require a special programming process that is performed only by a licensed locksmith.