How to Replace Lost Car Keys Things tend to get lost in the hustle of getting children to and from school, running errands, and working One of the most frequently lost items that disappears is the keys to our cars In the past, this was not an issue since you could easily replace it at the local hardware store or locksmith However, nowadays, it isn't as simple 1 Contact Your Car Dealership Your car dealer is the first person you should contact if you lose your key Most car dealers keep track of each key designed for their vehicles, making it easy for them to find your keys The disadvantage is that visiting the dealership can be costly so it's crucial to shop for a different one You may be able locate a lower cost option through an automotive locksmith You will most likely need to give the dealership your vehicle identification number, or VIN, as well as proof of ownership such as a copy of registration or title to receive the replacement key The dealership will then order an alternative key and connect it to your vehicle This can be a lengthy procedure, and you'll need to wait for the dealer to finish the process Smart keys are a type of key used in a variety of cars in the present They are designed to activate a proximity sensor inside the vehicle, which allows for keyless entry and start They are typically used in conjunction with ignitions that are push-to-start You can purchase a brand new smart key from the dealership, but the price is quite high Local auto locksmiths can create you a smart key for only a fraction of the cost You can also get a replacement for your classic key at your local hardware store They can create a standard lock cylinder key They will require the VIN and the model year If you cannot locate the VIN on your car it will be stamped on a plaque made of metal that is located on the dashboard or the driver's doorpost Even if https//rentryco/ewbz6 don't have the original, many locksmiths in the automotive industry can offer an alternate car key In some cases the locksmith may need to disassemble the ignition and door locks to accomplish this This is not a dangerous job for a professional, but it requires some mechanical expertise and skills 2 Call a locksmith The most common reason for seeking roadside assistance is because you've lost your car keys It's essential to keep a spare key handy with your person and ensure that it's somewhere safe Even the most careful people can lose their keys It is important to look for the car keys and inform your insurance company immediately if you discover it This will reduce the chance of your claim being rejected later in the event that your key is stolen Calling a locksmith is the next best thing if you don't own an extra Locksmiths are usually able to provide a replacement key at less than the dealership will charge They will usually come out to your location and create the key on the spot and is more convenient than having to bring your vehicle back to the dealership The cost of replacing your car key will vary based on the model you have Keys with traditional designs that can be exchanged at most hardware stores for about 10 each and are the cheapest If your car has an ignition key fob that acts like a remote and allows you to open and start the engine or a smart key that can only be replaced by an auto dealer the keys will typically cost more than the traditional key A locksmith can replace keys that are smart or fob in the majority of cases as long they have the VIN number of your vehicle This is usually found on the metal plate that is on the driver's doorpost or stamped on the windshield They will also need proof that you own the car, such as an original registration or title Some locksmiths aren't licensed or insured, so be sure to research them before hiring them You can find reputable auto locksmiths by looking online or asking your family and friends for recommendations Be aware that using an unlicensed key to start your vehicle could result in an infringement of warranty Unauthorized keys can cause damage to the lock of your vehicle If you do not want to take this risk you should contact roadside assistance instead of a locksmith for cars and wait until your dealer provides a replacement key 3 Call Your Insurance Company One of the worst things you could do when you lose your car key is to panic Relax, and then try to reason your situation It is more likely that you misplaced your keys than they were stolen The next step is to retrace the steps you took and attempt to locate where your keys were You might want to check places you don't normally check, like the pockets of your pants, coat or a bag that you use to run in After you've inspected all these places, it's a good idea to contact your insurance company The majority of modern cars are equipped with electronic key fobs that connect to your car via a chip This communication allows the vehicle recognize the key fob, and then open the doors, and also start the engine It's important that you immediately report the loss of your key immediately to stop unauthorized persons from utilizing your vehicle Certain car insurance companies offer an insurance add-on that will cover the cost of replacing a lost vehicle key Contact your insurance provider to see if this type of insurance is offered or if a locksmith can pay for the costs You can usually get a replacement for the mechanical key at most hardware stores at a reasonable price If your car is equipped with an electronic key that connects to your vehicle via the chip, then you'll have to visit your dealer to obtain an replacement This can be costly, but it's much cheaper than hiring locksmith Filing an insurance claim because of a stolen car key can increase your insurance costs Your insurance company could raise your premiums due to the fact that they will consider you a high-risk motorist in the event of losing your key You can reduce these cost by buying an electronic device to track your lost key or having a professional locksmith create an original key without copying the original one 4 Contact for a Tow Truck No one wants to lose their car keys It's the most embarrassing thing that could happen If it happens it could be costly to replace keys and get back on the road It's essential to be prepared so that you don't have call a tow-truck and can save your money When you've lost your car keys, the first thing to do is trace your steps This will allow you to locate them and calm your panic Try to recall what you did right before losing your keys, such as buying something at the grocery store or dropping them on the table while ordering pizza This will help you pinpoint the place to start If you can't find your keys, search for places where they might be, like the pockets of the clothes you were wearing or the bag you put them in after you returned home If you're still unable to locate them, give yourself some time to relax before calling a locksmith or tow truck A key tracker with bluetooth can be used on your phone These are small devices that can attach to a keyring, and an app for your smartphone will show you the location of your keys The cost to replace the car key that has been lost can vary depending on what kind of key you have You can save money in the case of a traditional car key A locksmith for automotive is usually in a position to create a new key immediately, and without the original If you have a smart key that uses a proximity detector to open doors or turn on the engine of your vehicle it is necessary to visit the dealership to get a replacement It's important to have a plan for when you lose your car keys, so you can save yourself the headache of having to pay for a tow truck or a locksmith It's easy to forget your car keys when you're exhausted after a long day or when your attention is focused on other things By following these tips you can ensure that your keys won't disappear forever, and you'll have backup plans in the event that they do