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Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key If you lose a car key, it's crucial to know the different costs involved. You can copy a basic key at any hardware store, whereas the smart key might require you to visit a locksmith or dealership. However, if the device isn't damaged and doesn't require reprogramming there are ways to cut costs. 1. Type of Key Car keys have a strange ability to disappear into unexpected places. They can be lost in your purse while shopping, get wedged between the sofa cushions, or fall into the crack in the back seat and are a difficult to locate. In the past, you could just pop into your local auto locksmith or hardware store and get a new replacement. These days it can be an expensive proposition in the case of a vehicle with advanced technology, like push-to-start and key fob technology. Key fobs or remote transmitters that work with these systems are small electronic devices, and they're packed with circuitry that could be quite costly to replace in the event that you lose them. This is the reason you should consider getting a key fob replacement insurance plan, which will cover up to $400 per lost or stolen key. These plans are usually just a fraction of cost of replacement, and offer unlimited replacements for stolen or lost keys, as well as additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance. The type of key you have also impacts the cost and some keys are more costly to replace than others. For example, basic keys made of metal with no fob are fairly inexpensive since they're mechanical and can be replaced by a professional locksmith or mechanic. However, if the key has transponder chips, it will require specialized equipment to duplicate. These machines are available from car dealerships or manufacturers and could be a major element in the price. Laser cut keys are another factor that can increase the cost of replacing a car key, since they are typically thicker than regular car keys. They are made of metal that is molded into the desired shape, and then cut using lasers that are precisely calibrated to ensure an exact fit. 2. Key Fob The loss of keys to your car used to be a minor issue. A car dealer or locksmith would sell you a replacement key, which was probably relatively cheap. As automobiles have become more advanced in technology, so do their keys. This means that replacing a lost key could be more expensive. In the 1990s, key fobs became popularized as a way to unlock and lock vehicles without the use of the physical keys of a car. The small plastic fobs come with an electronic button that, when it is pressed by the user communicates to the computer in the onboard system to lock or unlock the vehicle. Some also have a button to activate the alarm system of the vehicle or open the trunk. A traditional key without a fob is similar to those made before the '90s, and it can be cut by an automotive locksmith for a fee. Some locksmiths can even repair lost fobs while you are waiting. Fobs with a transponder or other computer chip may be more expensive to replace than traditional ones. These can cost upwards of $200 to reprogram and connect to an entirely new vehicle, and they are generally only available through the original dealer. Many companies that deal with vehicles, such as auto repair shops, car dealerships, and salvage yards, could end with a number of spare fobs not tied to a particular vehicle. Some of these can be sold to consumers, but certain require specialized equipment and technical expertise to make use of, something that's readily available to the typical consumer. This is why it's always best to keep an extra car key in your purse or pocket and then add GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your insurance policy to make it more convenient in the event that you require it. 3. Keys Laser Cut Keys Laser-cut keys have deeper ridges in comparison to traditional mechanical keys. These make them more difficult for thieves in cars to duplicate. Key blades feature two slits that permit the key to be inserted into the ignition cylinder as well as the door lock from either side. These are the most common kind of car keys that are available these days. They are more popular than key fobs because they offer greater security and ease of use. It is important that the company cutting the keys has the correct equipment. You'll end with an unusable key that doesn't work properly when you don't. It is also important to consider the quality of the knife because a knife that isn't of the highest quality could damage your key cutting machine or even cause it to break inside 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 of your specific vehicle. They then utilize a CNC machine to cut the key according to these specifications. They are typically only available from dealerships. They are cheaper than traditional key fobs however, they also have the added benefit of being hard to duplicate. The labor costs for a typical laser-cut all-in-one key could range from $150 and $250. This is due to the fact that these types of keys need to be programmed by the dealership. They are among the most convenient and secure car keys available today. 4. Switchblade Keys Modern cars usually have key fobs that are able to lock and unlock doors and start the engine. Unlike older mechanical keys, which work mechanically and are easily duplicated by locksmiths or key cutters the newer keys for cars come with transponder chips that need to be paired with the vehicle by a dealer or auto locksmith. These keys are typically more expensive, and range between $50 and $100 for the basic model to $200 for models that have push-to-start features. Fobs that feature the “switchblade” key that folds up on itself when not in use, are usually more expensive to replace. These keys have shanks that retract into the fob, which can be released at the touch of a button whenever needed. They are much more secure than standard keys, making them a great alternative for those who need an additional key for valet use. Changing these keys can run between $100 and $300 based on the car and the kind of key. They are lighter and more user-friendly than the crank keys of the past which were difficult, heavy and dangerous to handle. They are also much more difficult to steal since they are cylindrical, which helps to prevent the use of key duplicate devices that are used by criminals to make illegal copies of your car's keys. These keys are electronic and can open doors and start engines without the driver having to take them out of their pockets. Making changes to these types of car keys can be costly and typically require a trip to the dealer, which may or may not include a towing cost. 5. Transponder Keys Transponder keys are different from mechanical keys due to the fact that they have an electronic chip that transmits a radio-frequency signal to the vehicle when the key is placed in the ignition. The signal is then read 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 to open the door and start the engine. The concept behind this is to stop car theft by making it more difficult to hot wire a car and start the engine. In the theory of it, this is efficient However, clever car thieves are always looking for ways to defeat this technology. In addition, the chips that are in these keys are not as durable as some would like to believe. G28 Car Keys can be easily wiped out, which can result in the key not working. The cost of replacing transponder keys could be expensive. The key blank can cost as much as $50. Programming it is a cost additional. This process requires a special machine that is only available in car dealerships. It is advisable to find locksmiths with the proper equipment to program transponder keys. It is also a good idea to keep all of the details of your vehicle in order, including the year and make, as well as the model. This will ensure that the correct key blank is used, which will save you money in the long run. A locksmith can typically program an entirely new transponder-based key for around $150, however it could cost upwards of $180 for push-to-start cars equipped with remote transmitters or key fobs. These keys require a specific programming service that can be done only by a licensed locksmith.