Unexpected Business Strategies Helped Cost Replacement Car Key Succeed
Cost of Replacing a Lost Car Key
It is crucial to understand the costs involved if you lose your car keys. You can copy a standard key from any hardware store, whereas a smart key may require you to visit an auto dealer or locksmith.
However, if the device is damaged but doesn't require changing its programming, there are ways to cut costs.
1. Key Type
Car keys have the ability to disappear in most unlikely places. They can be difficult to locate, no matter if they slip out of your purse when you're out shopping, get 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.
Nowadays it can be quite costly when you're driving a car with advanced technology, like push-to-start and key fob technology. Key fobs or remote transmitters used in these systems are small electronic devices, and are packed with circuitry that could cause them to be expensive to replace in the event of losing them.
Consider a key fob insurance plan which covers up to $400 dollars per key lost or stolen. These plans usually cost a fraction of the total replacement costs and include unlimited key replacements in the event of theft or loss along with additional benefits like towing coverage and roadside assistance, among others.
The type of key you have also impacts the cost, with some types being more costly to replace than others. Basic metal keys without key fobs, for example are fairly inexpensive, because they're mechanical and can be replaced by a professional mechanic or locksmith. If your key is equipped with a transponder chip, it'll require special equipment to copy. These devices are typically available at dealerships or car manufacturers, and could be a major contributor to the overall cost.
Laser cut keys can increase the price of a replacement key for a car, as they are thicker. They are fashioned from metal that is then molded to a specific shape and are then cut using lasers that are precise to ensure a perfect fit.
2. Key Fob
In the past lost car keys was just a inconvenience. You could purchase keys replacements from a locksmith or car dealership, and it was likely relatively cheap to do so. However since automobiles have evolved in terms of technology as well, so have their keys, and that means replacing a lost one can be more expensive than it was in the past.
Key fobs were popular in the '90s as an extra feature to allow car owners to lock and unlock their vehicle without a physical key. The tiny plastic fobs include the button that, when pressed, signals to the onboard computer of the vehicle to lock or unlock it. Some also contain a button that can activate the alarm system in the vehicle or open the trunk.
An automotive locksmith can cut traditional keys without a remote at an affordable fee. This is the same as those that were made prior to 1990. Some locksmiths will even replace lost fobs while you wait.
Fobs that have a transponder or another chip may be more expensive to replace than standard ones. Reprogramming and pairing these can cost as much as $200 and are only available from the original car dealer.
Many businesses that work with cars, including auto repair shops, car dealerships and salvage yards could end up with quite a few spare fobs that aren't tied to a particular vehicle. vehicle key replacement of these are available to the public, whereas others require specialized equipment or technical skills to program. This is not something that the average consumer could do. This is why it's always best to keep an extra car key in your pocket or purse, and also add GEICO's Emergency Roadside Service to your policy to make it even more convenient should you ever require it.
3. Laser Cut Keys Keys
Laser-cut keys have deeper ridges in comparison to traditional mechanical keys. This makes them less prone to car thieves to steal.
Key blades feature cut-outs on both sides that allow the key to be put in the ignition cylinder and door lock from either side. These are the most popular car keys available today. They are more popular than key fobs due to their greater security and ease of use.
It is essential that the company cutting the keys has the proper equipment. You'll get keys that don't work properly when you don't. It is also important to consider the quality of the knife, as a low-quality one can damage your key cutting machine or even 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 information through a computer to retrieve the specifications of your vehicle. Then, they will use the CNC to cut the key in accordance with these specifications.
They are usually only available through dealers. However, they are much less costly than traditional key fobs and also have the benefit of being hard to duplicate.
Labor costs for a typical laser-cut all-in-one key will likely range between $150 and $250. These keys have to be programmed by the dealer. They are still one of the most convenient and secure keys for cars that are available today.
4. Switchblade Keys
Many modern cars have key fobs that lock and unlock doors, and also turn on the engine. These newer keys are not mechanical keys that can be easily duplicated by locksmiths and key cutters. Instead, they feature transponder chip technology built in. This chip must be connected by an auto locksmith or dealer to the vehicle. The fobs are typically more expensive, ranging from $50 to $100 for the basic version to $200 for models that have push-to-start capabilities.
Fobs that have the "switchblade" key, which folds in on itself when not being used they are typically more expensive to replace. These keys have shanks which retract into the fob and release when needed. They are much more secure than standard keys, which makes them an ideal choice for those who need an additional key to use for valet. The cost of replacing these keys ranges between $100 and $300, depending on the vehicle and the type of key.
They are lighter and easier to use than the crank keys of the past, which were extremely heavy, complicated and dangerous to handle. They are also much harder to steal because they are cylindrical, a feature that helps to prevent the use of key duplicate devices that are used by criminals to create illicit copies of your car's keys.
These electronic keys can open doors and start engines without the driver having to take them out of their pockets. Making changes to these types of car keys could be costly and usually require a visit 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 the chip that sends an audio-frequency signal to the vehicle when the key is placed into the ignition. The computer system of the vehicle scans the signal to determine whether the serial number matches the one on the key. If it does, the vehicle will allow the key to open the door and start the engine. This is to stop car thefts by making it harder to wire a car hot and also to start the engine.
In theory, this is effective, however, smart car thieves are constantly finding ways to beat this technology. Furthermore, the chips inside these keys aren't as durable as many would like to believe. They are able to be easily washed out, resulting in the key not working.
The cost of replacing transponder keys can be expensive. The cost of the key blank could be as much as $50. Programming it is a cost additional. This procedure requires a specific machine that is only available in dealerships for cars.
This is why it is advisable to find locksmiths with the right equipment to program transponder keys. It is also an excellent idea to have all of the details of your vehicle in order including the year and make, as well as the model. This will ensure that the correct key blank is used, and will save you money over time. A locksmith can typically program an entirely new transponder-based key for about $150, but it may cost as much as $180 for cars that are equipped with key fobs or remote transmitters. These keys require a specialized programming process that is performed only by a licensed locksmith.