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Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key If you lose your car key, it's crucial to understand the various costs involved. You can duplicate a basic key at any hardware store, but an electronic key will require you to visit a dealership or locksmith. But, if the fob is damaged but doesn't require changing its programming, there are ways to reduce costs. 1. Key Type Car keys have a peculiar ability to disappear in unexpected places. They can be hard to locate, whether they disappear from your pocket while shopping, end up stuck between the sofa cushions or fall into a crack in the back of your car. In the past, you could pop into your local hardware or auto locksmith shop to purchase a new. It's expensive to replace the key fob or remote transmitter if you own an automobile that is equipped with advanced technology. These systems make use of remote transmitters and key fobs that are tiny electronic devices. They're also loaded with circuitry, which makes them costly to replace in the event of a loss. Consider a key fob insurance plan that will cover up to 400 dollars for each key that is stolen or lost. These plans typically represent a fraction of cost of replacement, and provide unlimited replacements for stolen or lost keys, in addition to other benefits like towing and roadside assistance. The type of key that you own will also impact the cost. Some keys are more expensive to replace. For example, basic metal keys that don't have a key fob are fairly inexpensive because they're mechanical and can be replaced by a professional locksmith or mechanic. If your keys have transponders, you'll require special equipment to duplicate it. These machines are usually only accessible through dealerships or car manufacturers and can be a major contributor to the total cost. Laser cut keys are a different factor that could increase the cost of replacing a car key, because they are generally thicker than regular car keys. They are made from 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 keys to your car used be a minor issue. A car dealer or locksmith would sell you a replacement key, which was probably relatively cheap. However since cars have become more technologically advanced as well, so have their keys, which means replacing a lost key could be much more expensive than it was in the past. In the 1990s, key fobs were popularized as a way to unlock and lock vehicles without the use of a physical car key. These small plastic fobs have the button that when it is pressed 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 of the vehicle or unlock the trunk. A traditional key without a fob is similar to those that were made prior to the '90s and it can be cut by an auto locksmith for a fee. Some locksmiths will be able to replace your lost fob while they wait. Fobs that have a transponder or other computer chip may be more expensive to replace than conventional ones. Reprogramming and pairing these can cost as much as $200 and are only available from the original dealer for cars. Many businesses that deal with cars, such as auto repair shops or dealerships may have a large number of spare fobs. Some of these are available to the general public, while others require specialized equipment or technical skills to program. This isn't something that a typical consumer could do. It is recommended to keep an extra key in your wallet or purse. You can also include GEICO Emergency Roadside Service as part of your policy to make it simpler if you require it. 3. Laser Cut Keys Laser-cut keys have deeper ridges in comparison to traditional mechanical keys. car key replacement near me makes them less prone to car thieves. The key blades have two slits which allow the key to be put into the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. They are the most popular kind of car keys available in the present. They are more sought-after than traditional key fobs due to the fact that they provide a higher level of security and ease of use. It is crucial that the place cutting keys has the proper equipment. Otherwise, you'll end up with a key that doesn't perform as expected. You must also think about the quality of the knife, as a low-quality one can harm your key cutting device or cause it to break within the ignition cylinder. To cut a key using lasers locksmiths require your vehicle identification number (VIN). Once they have this information, they can run it through an electronic system to find the specifications for your specific vehicle. They will then use the CNC to cut the key according to these specifications. They are generally only available from dealerships. They are more affordable than traditional key fobs but they also have an added benefit of being hard to duplicate. For an all-in-one key that is laser-cut, you'll likely have to pay between $150 and $250 for labor costs. The keys must be programmed by the dealer. They are still one of the most secure and convenient car keys available today. 4. Switchblade Keys Many modern cars use key fobs to lock and unlock doors, and also start the engine. These newer keys are not mechanical keys that can be easily duplicated by locksmiths and key cutters. Instead, replacement key for car near me feature transponder chip technology built in. This chip must be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer to the vehicle. These fobs can be more expensive. They vary from $50 to $100 in the basic model, and up to $200 for models that have push-to-start functionality. Fobs that have what's known as a switchblade key, that folds in itself when not in use. typically, they cost more to replace. These keys come with shanks that retract into the fob, and then pop out when needed. They are generally safer than traditional 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 usage. The cost of changing these keys ranges between $100 and $300, depending on the car and the kind of key. The electronic keys are lighter and simpler to use than the old crank keys which were difficult, heavy and dangerous to handle. The car keys also make it harder for thieves to steal them, because they are cylindrical. This prevents the use of key-duplicate machines used by criminals to copy your car keys. These wholly electronic car keys communicate electronically to open the doors and start the engine – some are even able to do this without having to be removed from the driver's pocket. These keys are expensive to replace and will require an excursion to the dealer, which could include a towing cost. 5. Transponder Keys Transponder keys are different from mechanical keys due to the fact that they feature the chip that sends a radio-frequency signal to the vehicle when the key is put in the ignition. The signal is then analyzed by the computer system of the vehicle to determine whether it is in line with the serial number of the key. If it is the key's serial number, the vehicle will allow the key to unlock the door and to start the engine. The concept behind this is to stop car theft by making it harder to hot wire a car and start the engine. Theoretically it's possible that this technology will work However, car thieves who are smart constantly find ways to defeat it. The chips inside the keys aren't as long-lasting as some think. They are able to be easily washed out, which can result in the key not working. The cost of replacing transponder keys could be expensive. The key blank itself can cost as much as $50 and then there's the additional expense of programming it. This requires a special machine, which is only available at dealerships for cars. It is therefore recommended to hire a professional locksmith with the right equipment for programming transponder key. It is also a good idea to have all the information for your vehicle including the year, make and model. This will ensure that the correct key blank is used and could save you money over time. Locksmiths can usually program a new transponder key for about $150, but it can cost as much as $180 for cars with push-to-start capabilities with remote transmitters or key fobs. These keys require a specific service that is only done by a licensed locksmith.