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Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key If you lose your car key, you need to understand the various costs associated with. You can copy a standard key from any hardware store, while an electronic key will require you to go to a locksmith or dealership. 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 the ability to disappear from the most unexpected places. They can be hard to locate, no matter if they fall out of your pocket while shopping, get stuck between the sofa cushions or fall into the crack in the back seat. In the past, you could pop into your local hardware or auto locksmith store to purchase a replacement. Nowadays it could be a costly proposition when you're driving a car with advanced technology, like key fob technology and push-to-start. These systems make use of key fobs and remote transmitters, which are tiny electronic devices. They're also loaded with circuitry, making them expensive to replace in the event of a loss. You should therefore 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 offer unlimited replacements for lost or stolen keys, in addition to other benefits such as towing and roadside assistance. The type of key you own will also impact the cost. Certain keys are more expensive to replace. For instance, simple keys made of metal with no fob are relatively inexpensive, since they're mechanical and can be replaced by an experienced locksmith or mechanic. If your key has a transponder, you'll need specialized equipment to duplicate it. These machines are usually only available at dealerships or car manufacturers and can be a major contributor to the total cost. Laser cut keys can increase the price of keys for replacement on automobiles, as they are thicker. They are made of metal that's molded into the desired shape and then cut using lasers that are precise to ensure a precise fit. 2. Key Fob Losing keys to your car used to be a minor inconvenience. You could purchase a replacement key from a locksmith shop or a car dealership and it was inexpensive to purchase one. As automobiles have become more advanced in technology as have their keys. This means that replacing a lost key could be more costly. In the 1990s, key fobs were popularized as a way to lock and unlock vehicles without the use of an actual car key. These tiny plastic keys have a button which when it is pressed by the user communicates to the computer in the onboard system to lock or unlock the vehicle. Some contain a button that can activate the alarm system in the vehicle or open the trunk. A locksmith for cars can cut a traditional key without a remote for the cost of a small fee. This is exactly the same as keys that were made prior to 1990. Some locksmiths can even repair the fob that was lost while you are waiting. auto key replacement that contain a transponder or another chip can be more costly to replace than conventional ones. Reprogramming and pairing them can cost upwards of $200 and are only available through the original car dealer. Many businesses that deal with cars, such as auto repair shops and car dealerships may end up with a lot of spare fobs. Some of these are available to the general public, while others require specialized equipment or technical expertise to program. This is not something that the average person can do. This is why it's recommended to keep an extra car key in your pocket or purse and also add GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy to make it even more convenient should you require it. 3. Keys Laser Cut Keys Unlike traditional mechanical keys, laser-cut keys have more grooves and ridges. This makes them harder for car thieves to steal. They also have slits inserted into the sides of the key blade, which allows them to be placed into the door or the ignition cylinder lock in either direction. These are the most common type of car keys that are in circulation in the present. They are more popular than key fobs, because they provide more security and convenience. If you're considering getting a laser-cut key for your car, it is essential to make sure the place that cuts them has the right equipment. You'll get a key which doesn't function properly if you don't. 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 require your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a laser-cut key. Once they have this information, they can run it through an electronic system to find the specifications for your specific vehicle. They then utilize an CNC machine to cut the key based on these specifications. They require specialized equipment to make, and they are generally only available through dealerships. They are cheaper than traditional key fobs, but they also have an added benefit of being difficult to duplicate. Labor costs for a typical laser-cut, all-in-one key will likely range between $150-$250. This is because these kinds of key need to be programmed by the dealership. They remain among the most secure and convenient keys for cars available today. 4. Switchblade Keys A lot of modern cars have key fobs that lock and unlock the doors, and turn on the engine. These modern keys aren't mechanical keys that can be duplicated by locksmiths and key cutters. Instead, they come with transponder chip technology built in. The chip has to be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer with the vehicle. These fobs are generally more expensive, ranging from $50 to $100 for the basic model, and up to $200 for models that have push-to-start capabilities. Fobs that have what's known as a switchblade key which folds up when not in use. typically, they cost more to replace. These keys have shanks that retract into the fob, which then is released at the push of a button when required. They are generally more secure than standard keys, which makes them a powerful deterrent for thieves and a great alternative for those in need of an extra car key to allow valet use. The cost of changing these keys can range between $100 and $300 depending on the type of vehicle and the type. Unlike the old crank key that was complex, heavy and dangerous to handle, these electronic keys are light and easy to handle. The keys for cars are more difficult to steal because they are cylindrical, which can prevent the use of key-duplicate devices that are used by criminals to create illegal copies of the keys to your car. These wholly electronic car keys communicate electronically to open the doors and start the engine. Some keys can even do so without having to be taken from the pocket of the driver. Making changes to these types of keys for cars can be expensive and will typically require a trip to the dealer and may or may not include a towing charge. 5. Transponder Keys In contrast to mechanical keys keys contain a chip within them that transmits the radio frequency signal to the car when it is inserted into the ignition. The computer system in the vehicle reads the signal to determine whether the serial number matches that of the key. If it does, the vehicle will allow the key to unlock the door and begin the engine. This is to stop car thefts by making it difficult to wire a car hot and also to start the engine. Theoretically it is possible that this technology works, but smart car thieves constantly find ways to defeat it. In addition, the chips that are in these types of keys aren't as durable as people would like to believe. They can be destroyed quickly, which can lead to the key not working at all. The cost of replacing a transponder key can be a significant expense. The key blank itself could cost up to $50 and then there's the additional expense of having it programmed. This requires a special machine, which is only available at car dealerships. This is why it is recommended to employ locksmiths with the appropriate equipment for programming transponder keys. It is also recommended to keep all of your vehicle's information ready, including the year, make and model. This will help ensure that the right key blank is used, which could save you money in the end. A locksmith can typically program a new transponder key for about $150, but it can cost upwards of $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 locksmith who is certified.