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Quiz: How Much Do You Know About Cost Replacement Car Key?
Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key

When you lose a car key, it's crucial to be aware of the various costs that are involved. You can get a copy of a standard car key from any hardware store, but the smart key could require you to visit a dealer or locksmith.

However, if the fob isn't damaged and doesn't need changing its programming, there are ways to cut costs.

1. Type of Key

Car keys have a strange ability to disappear in unexpected places. They can be lost in your pocket while shopping, get wedged between the sofa cushions, or fall into the crack of the back seat and are a difficult to locate. In the past, you could simply go to your local hardware or auto locksmith store to purchase a replacement.

These days it could be a costly proposition when you're driving a car equipped with the latest technology, such as key fob technology or push-to-start. These systems rely on remote transmitters and key fobs which are tiny electronic devices. They're also packed with circuitry, making them expensive to replace in the event of a loss.

This is why you should consider getting the replacement of your key fob insurance plan that covers up to $400 for each lost or stolen key. These plans usually cost less than total replacement costs and include unlimited key replacements for lost or stolen keys along with additional benefits like towing insurance and roadside assistance, among other things.

The type of key you have can also affect the price as some keys are more costly to replace than others. For example, basic metal keys with no key fob are relatively inexpensive, because they're mechanical, and can be replaced by an expert locksmith or mechanic. However, if the key is equipped with transponder chips, it will require special equipment to copy. These machines are available from car manufacturers or dealerships and can be a major element in the price.

Laser cut keys are a different aspect that can raise the cost of a replacement car key, because they are typically heavier than regular keys. They are made of metal that is molded to an exact shape, and then cut with lasers that are precise to ensure an exact fit.

2. Key Fob

The loss of keys to your car used to be a minor inconvenience. You could buy a replacement key from a locksmith or a car dealership and it was inexpensive to purchase one. As cars have technologically advanced, so do their keys. This means that replacing a lost key could be more costly.

In the 1990s, key fobs became popular as a method to lock and unlock vehicles without the use of an actual car key. These small plastic fobs contain the button that, when pressed, sends a signal to the computer of the vehicle to lock or unlock it. Some include a button that allows you to activate the vehicle's alarm system or open the trunk.

A locksmith for cars can cut traditional keys without a remote for an affordable fee. This is the same as those made before 1990. Some locksmiths will replace the fob that was lost while they are waiting.

Fobs that have a transponder or other computer chip may be more expensive to replace than standard ones. Reprogramming and pairing replacement keys for car could cost up to $200 and are only accessible through the original dealer of the car.

Many businesses who work with vehicles, such as auto repair shops and car dealerships could have a large number of spare fobs. Some of these are available to the public, whereas others require specialized equipment or technical expertise to program. This isn't something that a typical consumer could do. It is recommended to keep an extra key in your pocket or purse. You can also add GEICO Emergency Roadside Service as part of your insurance policy to make it easier if you need it.

3. Laser Cut Keys

Contrary to traditional mechanical keys laser-cut keys have more ridges and grooves. These make them more difficult for thieves in cars to duplicate.

They also have slits inserted into the sides of the key blades that allow them to be put into the door and ignition cylinder lock from either direction. They are the most popular kind of car keys that are available today. They are more popular than key fobs due to their more security and convenience.

If you're considering cutting a key using lasers for your car, it is crucial to ensure that the place that cuts them has the right equipment. You'll get a key which doesn't work properly when you don't. You must also think about the quality of the knife, because a knife that isn't of the highest quality could harm your key cutting device or cause it to break inside the ignition cylinder.


To cut a laser-cut keys locksmiths will need to have your vehicle identification number (VIN). Once they have your VIN, they can run the information through a computer in order to determine the specifications of your vehicle. They can then use the CNC machine to cut the key in accordance with these specifications.

They require specialized equipment to make, and they are typically only available at dealerships. They are however, less expensive than traditional key fobs, and also have the benefit of being extremely difficult to duplicate.

For an all-in-one key that is laser-cut you'll be required to shell out between $150 and $250 for labor costs. The keys must be programmed by the dealer. They remain among the most secure and convenient keys for cars available today.

4. Switchblade Keys

Many modern vehicles use key fobs to lock and unlock doors, and start the engine. These modern keys aren't mechanical keys that can be duplicated by locksmiths and key cutters. Instead, they feature transponder chip technology in the. This chip must be paired by an auto locksmith or dealer to the vehicle. The fobs are typically more expensive, ranging between $50-$100 for the basic model to $200 for models that have push-to-start features.

Fobs with what's referred to as a switchblade key, which folds up when not in use. typically, they cost more to replace. The keys are equipped with shanks that retract into the fob, which pops out at the push of a button whenever needed. They are generally more secure than traditional keys, making them a powerful deterrent for thieves and are a good alternative for those in need of an extra car key to allow valet usage. The cost of replacing these keys ranges between $100-$300, depending on the vehicle and the type of key.

These electronic keys are lighter and simpler to use than the crank keys of the past, which were extremely heavy, complicated and dangerous to handle. They are also much more difficult to steal as they are cylindrical, which can prevent the use of key duplicate devices that are used by criminals to create illicit copies of your car's keys.

Electronic keys can open doors and start engines without the driver needing to take them out of their pockets. Changing these types of car keys can be costly and typically require a trip to the dealership and may or may not include a towing cost.

5. Transponder Keys

Transponder keys are different from mechanical keys because they feature a chip that transmits an audio-frequency signal to the vehicle when the key is put into the ignition. The computer system in the vehicle scans the signal to determine if the serial number matches that of the key. If it does, the car will let the key unlock the door and start the engine. The concept behind this is to prevent car theft by making it harder to connect a car's hot wire and start the engine.

In the theory of it, this is efficient However, clever car thieves are always finding ways to beat this technology. In addition, the chips that are in these keys aren't as long-lasting as some would like to believe. They are prone to being destroyed easily, which could lead to the key not functioning at all.

The cost of replacing transponder keys could be high. The key blank can cost upwards of $50 and then there's the added expense of programming it. This requires an exclusive machine that is only available at car dealerships.

It is recommended to employ locksmiths with the proper equipment to program transponder keys. It is also a great idea to have your car's information prepared, such as the year, make, and model. This will help ensure that the correct key blank is used, which can save you money in the end. Locksmiths can usually program an entirely new transponder-based key for around $150, but it can cost as much as $180 for cars with push-to-start capabilities with key fobs or remote transmitters. These keys require a specific service that can only be done by a licensed locksmith.

Read More: https://www.g28carkeys.co.uk/car-key-replacements-near-me/