How Much Does It Cost For Car Key Replacement There are several options available in the event that you lose your car keys The most cost-effective option is to use an locksmith The best option is to contact your dealership for a replacement if you have one The dealer may charge a little more, but the replacement is usually cheaper Technician The loss of your car keys can be a stressful and costly experience especially if you have remote Key replacements can cost anywhere from 25 to 450 depending on the car's make and model The kind of key you have as well as the dealer you select to purchase it from, could affect the price of your key You can either employ a locksmith or go to the car dealership to purchase a new key Both options are priced differently and the dealer option is typically the most expensive Locksmiths typically cut and program a traditional key, which isn't a fob Modern car keys include a chip which connects to your vehicle when you use them to unlock it or start it These keys require a much more complicated process to copy and will cost more to replace https//wwwmaiabeltrantop/automotive/your-go-to-guide-for-replacement-keys-for-car/ is about 150, while one that's laser-cut and harder to duplicate will run around 200 If you have a more advanced key, such as the switchblade key found in a key fob, or a smart key, you will need to visit the dealer to purchase an alternative The majority of locksmiths do not have the tools to duplicate these kinds of keys, so you will need to order them from the dealer This could take a couple of days and you won't be able to drive your car until the key is delivered The best way to avoid the extra expense of losing your car keys is to stop them from getting lost in the first place Keep an extra key in your pocket or in the glove box, and consider using a tracker device to locate your keys If you do lose the keys to your car, be sure to call the police as soon as possible Don't try to force your way into the car, since this could result in an insurance claim, or even a theft claim Insurance companies can also be suspicious when you break windows or use wire hangers It is difficult to convince them that the car belongs to you Dealership Most people have lost their keys to their car at one time or another Losing your keys can be a real hassle, whether they fell into another dimension or were flushed down the toilet by your cat Replacing your keys can be expensive The cost of replacing a key at a dealership will vary based on the type of key you have and the model of your vehicle Traditionally metal regular keys can be duplicated at locksmiths or other third-party workshops However, the majority of modern vehicles have specialized transponder keys that need to be programmed by a dealer in order to work properly For those kinds of keys, dealers will charge anywhere from 500 to 1000 to replace and reprogram Although that might seem costly, you can reduce the cost by signing up for a comprehensive program for key replacement These programs offer a monthly fee which includes replacement of keys eligible for replacement and remote transponders but not valet keys when they are lost or damaged Some even offer one qualifying key replacement per year, at no cost Most of these programs are offered at auto dealers, who typically offer them as an extra add-on to their bumper-to-bumper or extended warranty coverage They are also available at reputable roadside assistance firms If you lose a transponder key or an all-in one laser-cut key, you'll need to have your vehicle town to a dealership to have them replace it They will have to order the new key, and then join it to your vehicle This process could take a few days to complete Keep a spare key on hand to keep from paying the full cost of replacing it Also, you should note the VIN number in case you lose it You can locate the VIN on your car's paperwork or on the dashboard or door jamb You can also contact the manufacturer of your car or an GEICO agent for assistance in finding the VIN GEICO's Roadside Assistance service can help you tow your vehicle to a certified repair shop The GEICO app provides this service for no cost Independent Locksmith Many people aren't prepared for the cost of replacing keys to their car If you lose your keys, it's important to know the cost You could be charged a lot of money through a dealership, however it's also possible to find affordable solutions through third-party providers If you're worried about losing your car keys it's an excellent idea to create a spare one and keep it in a safe place You can do this by using an independent locksmith or a dealership, but you'll likely be waiting for the service to be completed Some businesses offer an emergency service, but it could be more expensive The cost to replace a car key can vary dependent on the kind of car you own and its features A standard metal key is usually available at a hardware store for less than 10, however a transponder, or "smart" key that connects to the car through radio transmitters will cost significantly more In addition, if your car was built in the recent past, it likely has the key fob remote that needs to be programmed to work with your vehicle While a lot of locksmiths have tools to cut keys for cars, not all of them have the appropriate blanks for every brand and model Not all locksmiths have the tools required to program the car key This is particularly true for high-end models with specific keys Another aspect that affects the cost of replacing a car key is the time of day that you need the key You'll be charged more for a key that is needed in an emergency that is not during the normal hours of many locksmiths Additionally, the place in which you live can affect the cost of a vehicle key replacement too It's likely to cost more if you're in an area that is remote Insurance may pay for the replacement of the car key in certain cases Check with your insurance provider to find out if you're covered In some instances the cost of replacement may be covered by the vehicle's warranty and/or roadside assistance Roadside Assistance The term"roadside assistance" refers to the services that aid motorists and motorcyclists stuck on the side of the highway This type of assistance is provided by transportation departments or automobile associations, as well as insurance companies for vehicles The company will send an employee to examine the motorcycle or vehicle and determine if repairs are needed If a replacement key is needed the company could charge a fee for the supply of one Being able to duplicate the keys to your car is essential This procedure is usually performed by a professional at a locksmith's shop or by using the key duplication machine However, the methods used to copy older mechanical keys don't work for modern keys with technology integrated into the keys These types of keys contain transponders in the head that communicates with the car to confirm that it is a genuine key These kinds of keys are much harder to duplicate and are usually only made at a dealership or by a licensed automotive locksmith If you're experiencing issues with your car's key fob the first step is to replace the battery The procedure is fairly quick and easy, and most hardware stores sell the necessary batteries for less than 10 Some auto specialists and dealers may be able to offer a free battery in case you're unable to locate the correct battery A stolen or lost key can be a huge issue, especially if stuck on the side of the road Many people will try to solve the issue themselves by trying to copy keys using a key cutting machine or by using an image file These methods will not work with modern car key however They require precision programming and copying by a certified expert like a technician, car dealership professional or locksmith In most cases, car dealerships have the best rates for replacing keys to cars, however they also have some of the highest service fees It is worth contacting your insurance company to determine whether they will cover the cost of replacing a car key