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Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key It's important to know the costs involved if you lose your car key. You can obtain a copy of a car key from any hardware shop, but a smart key might require you to visit a locksmith or dealer. But, if the fob is merely damaged and doesn't need to be reprogrammed, there are ways to cut costs. 1. Key Type Car keys have the ability to disappear from the most surprising places. They can be hard to find, whether they disappear from your pocket when you're shopping, end up stuck between the couch cushions or fall into a crack in the back seat. In the past, you could just pop into your local auto locksmith or hardware store and get a new replacement. Nowadays however, it could be a costly proposition when you're driving a car equipped with the latest technology, such as push-to-start and key fob technology. These systems rely on remote transmitters and key fobs, which are tiny electronic devices. They're also packed with circuitry, which makes them costly to replace in the event of an eventual loss. You should therefore consider an insurance plan for your key fob which covers up to $400 dollars per key lost or stolen. These plans typically represent a fraction of cost of replacement, and offer unlimited replacements for lost or stolen keys as well as other benefits like towing or roadside assistance. The type of key you're using can also affect the price and some keys are more expensive to replace than others. Basic metal keys without a key fob, for example are relatively inexpensive because they're mechanical and can be replaced by an experienced locksmith or mechanic. If your key has transponder chips, it will require special equipment to duplicate. These machines are usually only available through car dealerships or manufacturers and can be a major factor in the total cost. Laser cut keys can also increase the price of a replacement key for automobiles, as they are thicker. They are fashioned from metal that is then molded to an exact shape, and then cut using precision lasers to ensure a precise fit. 2. Key Fob Losing your car keys used to be a minor inconvenience. You could purchase an alternative key from a locksmith shop 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 that means replacing a lost one can be much more expensive than it used to be. In the 1990s, key fobs were widely used to lock and unlock a vehicle without using the physical keys of a car. These small plastic fobs contain a button that, when pressed, sends a signal to the computer of the vehicle to lock or unlock it. Some contain a button that can activate the alarm system of the vehicle or open the trunk. A traditional key without a fob is similar to those that were made prior to the '90s and can be cut by an automotive locksmith for a fee. Some locksmiths will even replace lost fobs while you wait. It is more costly to replace a fob that has a transponder or computer chip than if it were a traditional one. Reprogramming and pairing them could cost up to $200 and are only accessible through the original car dealer. Many businesses that work with vehicles, such as auto repair shops, car dealerships, and salvage yards may end up with quite a few spare fobs not tied to a specific vehicle. Some are available to the general public, while others require specialized equipment or technical knowledge to program. This isn't something that the average consumer can do. It's best to always keep a spare key in your pocket or purse. You can also include GEICO Emergency Roadside Service as part of your insurance policy to make things even easier in the event of need. 3. Laser Cut Keys Laser-cut keys have deeper ridges unlike mechanical keys. They are also more difficult for thieves in cars to duplicate. The blades of the key have slits on both sides that allow the key to be inserted in the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. They are the most commonly used type of car keys in circulation in the present. They are more popular than key fobs due to their greater security and convenience. If you're considering cutting a key using lasers for your vehicle, it's essential to make sure the company cutting keys has the proper equipment. You'll get a key which doesn't function properly in the event that you don't. You should also be aware of the quality of the blade, because poor quality blades can cause damage to the cutting mechanism of the key or even break inside your ignition cylinder. To cut a laser-cut keys locksmiths will need to have your vehicle identification number (VIN). Once they have this information, they can run it through a computer system to get the specifications specific to your car. They then utilize a CNC machine to cut the key based on these specifications. They are usually only available from dealerships. They are more affordable than traditional key fobs but they also have the added benefit of being difficult to duplicate. For a typical all-in-one laser-cut key you'll probably be required to shell out between $150 and $250 for labor costs. This is because these types of keys need to be programmed by the dealership. They are nevertheless one of the most secure and convenient keys for cars on the market today. 4. Switchblade Keys Many modern vehicles have key fobs that lock and unlock the doors, and also turn on the engine. In contrast to older mechanical keys which work mechanically and are easily duplicated by locksmiths or key cutters, these newer car keys contain transponder chips which must be linked with the vehicle by a dealer or an auto locksmith. The fobs are typically more expensive, ranging between $50-$100 for the basic model to $200 for models with push-to-start features. Fobs that have what's known as a switchblade, which folds up when not in use, typically cost more to replace. They have shanks that retract into the fob, and then are released when needed. They are much more secure than standard keys, which makes them an ideal choice for those who require an additional key for valet use. Changing these keys can run between $100 and $300 depending on the car and the kind of key. They are lighter and easier to use than the crank keys of the past which were difficult, heavy and dangerous to handle. They are also more difficult to steal since they are cylindrical, which helps to prevent the use of key duplicate devices that are used by criminals to create illegal copies of your car's key. key fob replacement are electronic and can open doors and start engines without the driver having to remove them from their pockets. Changing these types of keys to cars can be expensive and will usually require a visit to the dealership which may or not include a towing fee. 5. Transponder Keys In contrast to mechanical keys keys have a chip in them that relays an audio frequency signal to the car whenever it is put into the ignition. The computer system in the vehicle reads the signal to determine whether the serial number is identical to the one on the key. If it is the serial number, the vehicle will let the key to unlock the door and to start the engine. This is done to prevent car thefts by making it more difficult to wire a car hot and also to start the engine. In the theory of it, this is efficient However, smart car thieves are constantly looking for ways to defeat this technology. Additionally, the chips in these types of keys aren't as long-lasting as people would like to believe. They can get wiped out quickly, which can result in the key not working at all. The cost of replacing transponder keys could be high. The key blank itself can cost upwards of $50 and then there's the cost of having it programmed. This requires a special machine that's only available in car dealerships. It is therefore best to find a locksmith professional who has the necessary tools to program transponder keys. It is also an excellent idea to have all of the information for your vehicle, including the year model, make and year of the vehicle. This will help ensure that the correct key blank is used, which will save you money in the end. Locksmiths typically can program the new transponder key for about $150, however it could cost up to $180 for cars with push-to-start capabilities with key fobs or remote transmitters. These keys require a special service that is only performed by a certified Locksmith.