The Cost of a Replacement Car Key

You can spend many dollars when you lose your car keys. It could cost you as high as $800 depending on the type of car key.

Certain car insurance companies offer it as a bumper-to-bumper insurance or as an add-on. The best way to find out the price is to request a quote from a locksmith for your vehicle or dealership.

The Make and Model of Your Vehicle

The year and make of your vehicle will play large part in the amount you'll be charged for a replacement car key. Certain cars with push-to-start features require remote transmitters, also known as key fobs. These will need to be paired with a locksmith or dealership. These keys can cost to replace a car key up to $200 for a single original lost car keys replacement cost key, and include cutting and programming services.

Older vehicles that have mechanical keys are generally cheaper since they don't require advanced transponders or chips. It is possible to find a mechanical key replacement at any hardware store for about $10.

Your insurance may pay for a new key if you lose it in an emergency. For example in the event that you are locked out of your house or a fire breaks out in your house. This is not a guarantee and you must read through the terms of your policy to find out more.

Some locksmiths charge more if the towing of the dealer is required or if it's required to drive further of their service area. They may also be required to show evidence of ownership such as the registration, title or purchase paperwork. You should avoid breaking windows or using wire hangers for opening a car as these actions can be red flags for a locksmith and they might refuse to work on your car in the event that they suspect you've altered it.

The Keys

Most people are unaware that a car key replacement can be costly. This is due to the fact that modern keys have built-in security features that make them costly and difficult to duplicate. Some of these features include transponders proximity keys, and keyless entry remotes. These devices are designed to prevent theft by preventing the vehicle from starting if a wrong key is used. They must be programmed according to the specifics of your vehicle. This could result in a huge bill, especially if you drive a luxury brand.

Traditional mechanical keys are relatively cheap to replace, and cost under $50. However, most modern cars come with a key fob that is more complex. They have a transponder inside the head of the key, which sends an electronic signal to the computer to confirm it's the correct key that unlocks the doors. It could cost you anywhere from $50 to $150 in additional charges for a replacement car key cost.

Moreover, some of these keys are laser-cut and can only be duplicated with the use of a specific machine. These keys cost a lot because they require a high level of expertise to design and can't be replicated by anyone with a basic tool. The most expensive keys to replace are key/remote combination keys that combine two mechanical keys and a remote key.

The Locks

Modern cars have an array of key fobs. They're more than an option to unlock and start your vehicle. They add convenience and serve as a deterrent against theft. They also have a tendency to be expensive.

Old-fashioned, all-metal keys are fairly inexpensive and easy for locksmiths to duplicate. They could cost as little as $10. The more expensive keys such as those used for older GM vehicles or a laser-cut key with no grooves inside the shank require specialized equipment that only a handful of locksmiths possess and that a majority of dealers do not. Keys can cost up to $150, depending on whether they have to be programmed and on the kind of key.

Transponder keys, which became popular in the 1990s, are difficult for a thief to steal and more difficult for locksmiths to duplicate. These types of keys have an embedded chip inside the key's head that communicates with your car's computer onboard, confirming that it is the right key. The car won't start without the chip, even if the key is perfect.

Other keys, for instance switchblade keys (with shanks that fold down into the fob when they are not being used and pop out by pressing a button) or proximity keys, as well as remote key/fob combinations, can be laser-cut and etched to are different from traditional keys but are still simple for Cost of a Replacement Car Key locksmiths to duplicate. These keys are more expensive than standard keys, since they require etching and laser cut. They also have to be programmed.

The Labor

Not long ago losing a car keys wasn't much of a problem. You could get a replacement at a hardware store for about $10 or call roadside assistance for towing your vehicle to the dealer. But as cars have gotten more technologically advanced, so have their keys. This makes it more expensive to replace car key cost one.

The majority of modern cars have a transponder-chip or remote-transmitter style key. These types of keys need to be programmed by a locksmith or dealer order to work with the vehicle. The process of programming can cost anywhere from $75-$200, dependent on the year, make and model of your car.

Older vehicles use mechanical keys that don't have chips. These can be duplicated at locksmiths for $5 to $15. However, it's a good idea to keep an extra in your wallet just in case.

Transponder-chip keys are more common in newer vehicles and require a higher-priced tool designed to cut and program. These types of keys are typically more expensive than standard keys, and are able to be replaced at a cost of up to $400. If the dealership doesn't have the key on hand, you may be required to travel to have it replaced. This could increase the cost of the replacement. If that's the case then you'll have to wait a few days before you can pick up the car key.