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Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key It's important to know the costs involved when you lose your car key. You can duplicate a basic key at any hardware store, but an electronic key will require you to visit a locksmith or dealership. There are ways to save money if your fob is only damaged and doesn't require reprogramming. 1. Type of Key Car keys have a strange ability to disappear in strange places. They can be difficult to locate, no matter if they disappear from your purse when you're out shopping, end up stuck between your couch cushions or fall into the crack in the back seat. In the past, you could visit your local auto locksmith or hardware store to get a replacement. Today it can be an expensive proposition if you're driving a vehicle with advanced technology, like push-to-start and key fob technology. The key fobs or remote transmitters that work with these systems are tiny 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 the reason you should consider getting the replacement of your key fob insurance plan, which covers up to $400 per lost or stolen key. These plans typically represent only a small fraction of the total replacement costs, and include unlimited replacements for lost or stolen keys, as well as additional benefits such as towing and roadside assistance. The type of key that you own will also impact the cost. Certain keys are more expensive to replace. Metal keys that don't have a key fob, for example, are relatively cheap, because they're mechanical and can be replaced by an experienced locksmith or mechanic. If your keys have transponder, you'll need an equipment that is specifically designed to duplicate it. These machines are usually only accessible through dealerships or car manufacturers, and could be a major contributor to the overall cost. Laser cut keys are another aspect that can raise the cost of replacing a car key, because they are typically more substantial than regular car keys. They are made from metal that is molded to an exact shape, and then are cut using precision lasers for a perfect fit. 2. Key Fob Not too long ago, losing your car keys was not a big inconvenience. A locksmith or car dealer could offer you a replacement key, which was probably relatively affordable. As automobiles have become more technologically advanced as have their keys. This means that replacing a lost or damaged key could be more expensive. In the 1990s, key fobs became popularized as a way to unlock and lock the vehicle without requiring an actual car key. These small plastic fobs have the button that when 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 vehicle's alarm system or open the trunk. An automotive locksmith can cut traditional keys without a remote at a small charge. This is the same as those that were made prior to 1990. Some locksmiths can even replace a lost fob while you wait. Fobs that contain a transponder or other computer chip could be more expensive to replace than conventional ones. They can cost up to $200 to reprogram and connect to an entirely new vehicle and are usually only available through the original car dealer. Many businesses who work with vehicles, such as auto repair shops or dealerships may end up with lots of spare fobs. Some of them are accessible to the general public, while others require specialized equipment or technical expertise to program. This isn't something that a typical consumer could do. It is recommended to keep a spare key in your wallet or purse. You can also add GEICO Emergency Roadside Service as part of your policy to make things easier if you need it. 3. Keys Laser Cut Keys Laser-cut keys have ridges that are deeper, unlike traditional mechanical keys. click the next site makes them less prone to car thieves to steal. Key blades feature two slits that permit the key to be inserted in the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. These are the most popular car keys on the market today. They are more popular than key fobs because they offer greater security and convenience. It is crucial that the place cutting 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 since a poor quality knife could damage your key cutting machine or cause it to break within the ignition cylinder. The locksmith will require your vehicle identification number (VIN) to cut a laser-cutted key. Once they have your VIN, they will run the data through a computer in order to determine the specifications of your car. They then utilize a CNC machine to cut the key in accordance with these specifications. These keys require special machinery to create, and are usually only available at dealerships. They are less expensive than traditional key fobs but they also have an added benefit of being hard to duplicate. Labor costs for a typical laser-cut all in-one key will likely range between $150 and $250. The keys must be programmed by the dealer. However, they are one of the most secure and practical keys for cars on the market today. 4. Switchblade Keys Modern cars usually have key fobs that lock and unlock doors as well as start the engine. In contrast to older mechanical keys which work mechanically and are easily duplicated by locksmiths or key cutters the newer keys for cars have transponder chips built in which must be linked with the vehicle by a dealer or auto locksmith. These keys are more expensive. They range between $50 and $100 in the basic model, and up to $200 for models that have push-to-start functions. Fobs with the “switchblade” key that folds over itself when not being used They are generally more expensive to replace. These keys have shanks that retract into the fob, and then pops out at the push of a button when needed. They are typically safer than traditional keys, making them a powerful deterrent for thieves. They are also a good alternative for those in need of an extra car key for valet use. The cost of changing these keys can range between $100 and $300 depending on the type of vehicle and the type of key. They are lighter and simpler to use than the old crank keys, which were difficult, heavy and dangerous to handle. The keys for cars are much more difficult to steal as they are cylindrical, a feature that assists in preventing the use of key duplicate devices used by criminals to make illegal copies of the keys to your car. These keys are electronic and can open doors and start engines without having to take them out of their pockets. Changing these types of keys to cars could be costly and generally require a visit to the dealer and may or may not include a towing charge. 5. Transponder Keys Transponder keys are different from mechanical keys because they are equipped with the chip that sends a radio-frequency signal to the vehicle when the key is placed in the ignition. The computer system of the vehicle analyzes the signal to determine whether the serial number is identical to that of the key. If it is the serial number, the vehicle will let keys to unlock the doors and to start the engine. The idea behind this is to prevent car theft by making it more difficult to connect a car's hot wire and start the engine. In theory, this is effective, however, smart car thieves are constantly looking for ways to defeat this technology. The chips inside these keys aren't as long-lasting as some think. They are able to be easily washed out, resulting in the key not functioning. The cost of replacing transponder keys can be costly. The key blank itself can cost up to $50, and then there's the added expense of programming it. This process requires a special machine that is only available in dealerships for cars. This is why it is advisable to find locksmiths who have the right equipment to program transponder keys. It is also a good idea to have all your vehicle's information ready including the year and make, as well as the model. This will help ensure that the correct key blank is used, which could save you money in the long run. Locksmiths can program a transponder key typically for $150, but for push-to-start cars with remote transmitters and key fobs it could cost up to $180. These keys require a specialized service that can only be done by a licensed locksmith.