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Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key If you lose your car key, it's important to know the different costs involved. You can copy a standard key from any hardware store, but a smart key may require you to go to a locksmith or dealership. There are ways to save money if your fob is not damaged and is not in need of reprogramming. 1. Key Type Car keys have the bizarre ability to disappear into unexpected places. If they disappear from your purse while shopping, get wedged between the couch cushions or fall down the crack in your back seat and are a difficult to locate. In the past, you could simply pop into your local auto locksmith or hardware store to purchase a replacement. Nowadays however, automotive key replacement could be a costly proposition in the case of a vehicle equipped with the latest technology, such as key fob technology or push-to-start. Key fobs and remote transmitters that work with these systems are small electronic devices that are packed with circuitry that can cause them to be expensive to replace in the event that you lose them. This is why 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 typically cost less than total cost of replacement and offer unlimited key replacements for lost or stolen keys as well as additional benefits such as towing coverage and roadside assistance, among other things. The type of key you own will also impact the cost. Certain keys are more expensive to replace. For instance, basic keys made of metal with no fob are fairly inexpensive because they're mechanical, and can be easily replaced by an experienced locksmith or mechanic. However, if your key has a transponder chip, it'll require specialized equipment to copy. These machines are usually only available at dealerships or car manufacturers, and could be a major driver of the overall cost. Laser cut keys can increase the price of keys for replacement on automobiles, as they are more substantial. They are made from metal that's molded into the desired shape and then cut using precision lasers to ensure a precise fit. 2. Key Fob Not too long ago lost car keys was not a big nuisance. A locksmith or car dealer could sell keys to replace them that was likely to be affordable. However as automobiles have become more technologically advanced and so have keys, and this means that replacing a lost one can be much more expensive than it used to be. In the 1990s, key fobs were popular as a method to lock and unlock a vehicle without using the physical keys of a car. These tiny plastic keys have a button which when hit by the user sends a signal to the computer onboard to lock or unlock the vehicle. Some also have a button to activate the alarm system of the vehicle or open the trunk. An automotive locksmith can cut a traditional key without a remote at a small charge. This is the same as those made before 1990. Some locksmiths will even replace lost fobs while you wait. It's more expensive to replace a fob with a transponder or computer chip than if it were an old-fashioned one. They can cost up to $200 to reprogram and connect to a new vehicle and are typically only available through the original dealer. Many companies that deal with automobiles, including auto repair shops, car dealerships, and salvage yards, could end with a number of spare fobs that aren't tied to a specific vehicle. Some of them could be offered to consumers, however some require special equipment and technical expertise to program, which isn't something that is easily accessible to the common consumer. It's a good idea to keep an extra key in your pocket or purse. You can also include GEICO Emergency Roadside Service as part of your insurance policy to make things easier in the event of need. 3. Keys Laser Cut Keys Laser-cut keys have more ridges in comparison to traditional mechanical keys. This makes them less prone to car thieves to steal. They also have slits that are inserted into the sides of the key blade that allow them to be placed into the door or the ignition cylinder lock from either direction. These are the most well-known car keys available today. They are more sought-after than traditional keys because they offer a higher level of security and ease of use. If you're considering getting a laser-cut key for your car, it's crucial to ensure that the place that cuts keys has the proper equipment. Otherwise, you'll end with a key that doesn't work properly. You should also consider the quality of the knife as a low-quality one can cause damage to your key cutting machine or even cause it to break within the ignition cylinder. To cut a laser-cut keys locksmiths will need to have your vehicle identification number (VIN). Once they have this information, they will run it through an electronic system to find the specifications of your specific car. They then utilize a CNC machine to cut the key based on these specifications. These keys require special machinery to create, and are generally only available through dealerships. However, they are less costly than traditional key fobs and are also a bonus for being extremely difficult to duplicate. For a typical all-in-one laser-cut key, you'll likely be required to shell out between $150 and $250 in labor costs. This is because these types of keys need to be programmed at the dealership. However, they are one of the most secure and convenient car keys on the market today. 4. Switchblade Keys Many modern vehicles utilize key fobs to lock and unlock doors, and turn on the engine. Contrary to the older mechanical keys that operate mechanically and are easily duplicated by locksmiths or key cutters the newer keys for cars contain transponder chips which must be linked with the vehicle by the dealer or auto locksmith. These keys are typically more expensive, and range between $50 and $100 for the basic version to $200 for models that have push-to-start functions. Fobs with what's referred to as a switchblade key which folds up when not in use, generally cost more to replace. These keys come with shanks that retract into the fob, and then are released when needed. They are far more secure than standard keys, which makes them a great choice for those who need an additional key for valet use. The cost of changing these keys ranges between $100 and $300, depending on the car and kind of key. The electronic keys are lighter and more user-friendly than the crank keys of the past, which were extremely heavy, complicated and dangerous to handle. These car keys also make it harder for thieves to steal them, because they are cylindrical. This blocks the use of key-duplicate devices used by criminals to copy your car keys. Electronic keys can open doors and start engines without the driver having to remove them from their pockets. The process of changing these kinds of car keys could be costly and usually require a visit 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 feature a chip that transmits a radio-frequency signal to the vehicle when the key is inserted into the ignition. The signal is then analyzed by the car's computer system to determine whether it is in line with the serial number of the key. If it does the serial number, the vehicle will let the key to unlock the door and to start the engine. The concept behind this is to deter car theft by making it harder to wire a car and then start the engine. In theory, this is effective However, smart car thieves are constantly looking for ways to defeat this technology. Additionally, the chips in these keys are not as durable as some would like to believe. They can get wiped out easily, which could lead to the key not functioning at all. The cost of replacing transponder keys can be high. The key blank can cost as much as $50. Programming it is an additional expense. This requires a special machine that's only found in dealerships for cars. For this reason, it is advisable to find a locksmith who has the appropriate equipment for programming transponder keys. It is also recommended to keep all of the information for your vehicle including the year, make and model. This will help ensure that the right key blank is used, which could save you money in the long run. Locksmiths typically can program an entirely new transponder-based key for about $150, however it could cost as much as $180 for push-to-start cars equipped with remote transmitters or key fobs. These keys require a specific programming service that can be performed only by a licensed locksmith.