How to Replace Lost Car Keys Things tend to get lost in the rush of getting kids to and from school, running errands, and working. One of the most frequent items that disappears is our car keys. In the past, this was not an issue since you could easily replace it at the local hardware store or locksmith. However, this isn't the case anymore. 1. Contact Your Car Dealership If you have lost your car keys The first place to contact is your dealer. Most car dealers keep a log of every key that is designed for their vehicles, therefore it should be simple for them to find your keys. The drawback is that visiting the dealership can be costly, so it's important to shop around. why not find out more may be able to locate a lower cost option through an automotive locksmith. In most instances, you'll need to provide your vehicle identification number (VIN) and evidence of ownership, such as an original registration or title, to obtain an alternative key from the dealership. The dealership will then order an alternative key and connect it to your vehicle. This could be a long procedure, and you'll be waiting for the dealer to complete the job. Many cars today have a special type of key known as a smart keys. They are designed to activate a proximity sensor within the vehicle, which allows for keyless entry and start. They are usually paired with ignitions that are push-to-start. You can purchase a new smart key from a dealership, but the price is very high. A local auto locksmith can design an intelligent key for you for a fraction of what you'd purchase from a dealership. You can also purchase an old-fashioned key replacement at your local hardware store. They will be able to create an ordinary key that will fit your vehicle's lock cylinder. They will need the VIN and the year of manufacture. If you can't find the VIN on your vehicle it will be stamped on a metal plaque located on the dashboard or the driver's doorpost. Even if you do not have the original, most locksmiths for automotive will be able to provide you with an alternative car key. In certain instances the locksmith may need to remove the ignition and door locks to accomplish this. This is not a dangerous job for a professional, however it requires some mechanical skills and knowledge. 2. Call a Locksmith The most common reason for requesting roadside assistance is because you've lost your car keys. It's important to keep a spare key with you and make sure it's somewhere safe. Even the most careful of people could lose their keys. It is important to thoroughly search for the keys and notify your insurance company as soon as you can to minimize your chances of being denied a claim if it is found later stolen. Contacting a locksmith is the next best thing when you don't have an extra key. Locksmiths are usually able to offer a replacement key for less than what a dealership would cost. They can also visit your home to make keys right there which is much more convenient than having your vehicle taken back to the dealer. The kind of car key you are using can impact the cost to replace it. The most affordable keys are the traditional keys that are available at most hardware stores. They are about $10 per key. If your car is equipped with a key fob, which functions as a remote and can be used to unlock and start the engine, or a smart-key, which can only be changed by an auto dealer and will typically cost more than a traditional key. In most cases, an automotive locksmith will be able to replace keys fobs or a smart key if they can get the VIN number for your vehicle it is usually located on a metal plate on the driver's side doorpost, or in the windshield of the car. They will also need evidence that you have ownership of the vehicle by providing an original registration or title. Some locksmiths are not licensed or insured, so make sure to investigate them prior to hiring them. You can find reputable auto locksmiths by looking online or asking your family and friends for recommendations. Be aware that using keys that are not yours to start the car can result in a breach of your vehicle's warranty. A key that is not authorized could damage the lock of your vehicle. If you do not want to take this risk then call roadside assistance instead of a locksmith for your car and wait until the dealer provides a replacement key. 3. Call Your Insurance Company One of the worst things you can do when you lose your car key is to panic. Take a deep breath and then try to think about your situation. Chances are that you lost your keys because you lost them, rather than having them stolen. The next step is to retrace the steps you followed and try to locate where your keys went missing. It might help to check places you would not normally check like pockets in your coat or pants or in the bag you carry around for running. After you've looked through all these places, it's a good idea call your insurance company. Modern cars are equipped with electronic keys that communicate via an electronic chip with the car. This allows the car to recognize the key fob, unlock the doors and start the engine. It is crucial to immediately report the loss of your keys immediately to prevent anyone who is not authorized from accessing your vehicle. Certain insurance companies provide an add-on to their policy that covers the cost of replacing a car key. It is worth contacting your insurance provider to determine whether they provide this kind of coverage or if you can locate an individual locksmith that will pay for the cost. It is possible to replace a mechanical key in most hardware stores at a reasonable cost. However, if your vehicle is equipped with an electronic key fob that's linked to your vehicle via the chip, you'll have go to the dealership to request the replacement. It's expensive but it's cheaper than hiring a professional locksmith. In the event of filing an insurance claim due to the theft of your car key could increase your insurance costs. This is because your insurance provider will consider you high-risk driver for loosing your car keys, and may raise your premiums in order to offset the cost of making a claims claim. You can cut down on these additional cost by buying a tracking device that will track your lost keys or having a professional locksmith create a key without cloning the previous one. 4. Call a Tow Truck It's the most frustrating thing to lose your car keys and no one wants to see it happen. If it does happen it could be costly to replace the key that was lost and get back on the road. This is why it's important to be prepared if it happens, so that you won't need to call a tow truck and keep your cash in your wallet. Follow your steps if you've lost your keys. This will help you find them and calm your panic. Try to remember the actions you took prior to losing your keys, such as picking up something from the supermarket or dropping them on the table while ordering pizza. This will help you pinpoint your place of origin. If you cannot find your keys, look in places where you could have put them, such as the pockets of the clothes you were wearing, or the bag that you carried them in to take them home. If you're still not able to locate them, give yourself some time to relax before calling a locksmith tow truck. Another option is to use an bluetooth key tracker on your phone. These are tiny devices that you can attach to a keyring, and an app on your smartphone will show you the whereabouts of your keys. The cost of replacing a lost car key can be a bit expensive according to the type of key that you have. It is cheaper in the case of a traditional car key. An automotive locksmith will typically be 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 car it is necessary to visit a dealership to obtain a replacement. It's essential to have a plan in place to deal with the loss of your car keys, so that you can avoid the hassle of having to pay for a tow truck or a locksmith. When you're stressed or distracted, it's not difficult to lose your car keys. But by following these tips to ensure that your keys won't vanish for ever and have a backup plan when they do.
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