Car keys can get lost no matter how much effort you put into keeping an eye on them. And if you share your car keys with your spouse or family, you’re probably looking for them almost every day.
Car keys can get lost in different coat pockets, bags, in grocery bags, and even on the kitchen counter sometimes. And that’s before your kids or pets use them as their new favorite toy.
A poll of 2000 drivers by Lloyds Bank Car Insurance found that 26% of drivers had lost their car keys, and one in 20 had been a victim of car key theft.
In the past, losing your keys wasn’t such a big deal; you had a spare lying around, and getting a duplicate wasn’t a big deal or expensive. You could get a replacement car key in almost any hardware store or locksmith’s and if you were really out of luck the nearest car dealership.
The technological advancements we’ve seen in the past 10 years in car technology also include our car keys. To make cars more difficult to steal, several features were added to the keys, which now also make the keys almost impossible to duplicate without a substantial cost.
Depending on the make and age of your car, a lost car key replacement can cost you anywhere from $50 to $500 dollars.
But before you start replacing your lost car keys, make sure they're not just lying around at home, hiding under a pile of something.
Below are a few suggestions about how you can find lost car keys at home.
Check your car
We rarely get out of our car emptyhanded. Make sure you didn’t accidentally leave your car keys in the ignition or in the car door while you were taking other things out of your car.
It can also happen if you’re distracted by a phone call or thinking about something, you can easily fall into ‘auto mode’ and forget to take your car keys with you.
Retrace your steps
If your car keys are not in the ignition, check any surface you passed on your way from the car. Did you put something in the fridge or your kitchen counter? Did you go to the bathroom? Did you throw anything in the trash or your washing machine?
Search thoroughly and pick up anything that your keys could be hiding under.
Related: 5 easy tips on how to find lost keys
Recheck your pockets and your bag
Check every pocket of everything you were wearing that day, maybe you got distracted and put your car keys in a pocket that was most convenient and not the one you usually use.
If you just came home, check the area around your shoes too. Sometimes we put things down for a second to use our hands to take off our shoes.
Check cluttered areas
You may have put the keys down in their usual spot, and they just slid or were pushed under a pile of something. Check any cluttered areas thoroughly and pick up anything your keys could be hiding under.
Most of the time, a quick second search will do the trick and you'll find your missing car keys in no time.
When that happens, it's probably a good idea to get a spare car key made. If this option is too costly, you can always attach a key finder to your keys instead.
You can connect a Bluetooth car key finder to your phone through an app and use it to make your car keys ring when you can't find them.
If you have a spare, wait a day or two, in case the keys turn up on their own. If you don’t have a spare, it’s time to call someone.
Luckily there are a few options when it comes to getting replacement car keys, and if you put in some effort and time, you might save some money when you replace your car keys.
Before you call someone about replacing your missing car key, here’s the information they will need to help you get a new car key.
1. Your car’s VIN number
This is the Vehicle Identification Number, composed of 17 characters (digits and capital letters). In most cars, you can easily find it on the driver’s side dashboard. It should be visible through the window, which is good since you can’t really get inside your car without your keys.
If you can’t check your car, you can also find your car’s VIN number in your car insurance information.
2. The make, model, and manufacture year of your vehicle
A car's make is the brand of the vehicle and the model refers to the name of that particular line of your car. If your car has any special body style or is a sport edition, also write down that information.
3. A personal identification document from you
An ID, driver’s license or your passport should do, as long as your name, photo and address are clearly visible.
4. Your car’s registration number
There are a few different types of car keys and we’ve listed them below to help you determine which one your lost car key was:
Traditional car key
This is the basic standard for a car key. You use it to unlock your doors manually and start your car by putting it in the ignition and turning it.
Where to get a replacement traditional car key:
Online, some auto-parts stores, auto locksmith, car dealership
Keyless entry remote or car key fob with key
The basic version of a car key fob. You can use it to unlock your car with a button, but you still need to start your car with the key in the ignition.
The good news is that if you lose just the fob, you can still use the key to unlock that car and start it.
Where to get a replacement car key fob with key:
Online, some auto-parts stores, auto locksmith, car dealership
Car key fob with a switchblade key
These are a little pricier to replace than the basic key fob, and if you lose the fob you also lose the key.
Where to get a replacement car key fob with key:
Specialized auto locksmiths, car dealership
Transponder key
A transponder car key has a little chip in it that uses radio waves to confirm your key and your car are a match. When you insert your car key into the ignition, the receiver detects the corresponding serial number to start the car.
Where to get a replacement car key fob with key:
Car dealership
Smart key or keyless ignition
A smart key is used with cars that have a start button on the dash. The key itself is not actually a key, but a paired sensor (there’s a second, proximity sensor in your car) that allows you to unlock and start your car.
Where to get a replacement car key fob with key:
Car dealership
Online and auto parts stores
If your missing car key was a traditional car key (just a plain car key with no wireless features) or a car key fob with a regular key (not switchblade), you can buy them yourself. Car key fobs can be programmed pretty easily, without any specialized tools so you might not even need to contact a locksmith or a dealership.
When shopping for a cheap car key replacement online, look for reputable sellers or companies that specialize in replacing car keys. The older your car is and the simpler the key, the easier it will be to replace it.
Before you buy anything yourself, make sure your car key doesn’t require any specialized set up to program it to your car or at least find a locksmith that can do that for you once you have the new car key.
Auto locksmiths
Specialized locksmiths can replace a traditional car key and a key fob with a regular or switchblade key.
Car dealerships
Getting a replacement car key from a car dealership is the costliest option, but also the best option when you need to replace a transponder key or a smart key (keyless ignition).
Most dealerships will be able to make a new traditional key and any key fob on the spot but will most likely need to contact the manufacturer of your car to provide a replacement for a smart key.
Keep in mind that if you don’t have a spare car key, you will need to tow your car to the dealership to purchase a new smart key.
If you lost your only car key, have the locksmith or car dealership make you a second, spare key. You’re already ordering one, and a spare might come in handy if you ever find yourself in this situation again.
How much you will pay to get a key made for your car depends on how old and how expensive your car is and where you get the new car key made.
A traditional budget car key can be as cheap as $70, while a smart key for a luxury car can go upward of $500.
A simple traditional car key will cost you anywhere from $70 to $150, depending on the make of your car and where you’re getting the replacement car key from. The key itself can range from $30 to $70 plus the additional cost of cutting it.
A key fob will cost between $200 and $400 again depending on the make of your car and how complicated the programming for your car key is.
Edmunds estimates that a basic transponder key on an older Ford F-150 starts at about $240 at a dealership (for the new key and fob programming) and about $200 at a locksmith.
Smart keys start at about $250 for the budget class cars and can go well over $500 for luxury cars. The cost of replacing and reprogramming a smart key can range from $220 to over $500 in some luxury vehicles.
If you lose your car key or it gets stolen, your insurance company may be able to reimburse you the cost of the replacement key.
Check if your insurance offers lost key coverage; some insurance policies include the costs of a replacement car key by default.
Before you claim your lost or stolen car key on your insurance policy, make sure it won’t affect your overall insurance payment. It might be a better idea to keep your car insurance premiums low and pay for the replacement key from your own pocket, even if your policy covers the replacement car key costs.
Check your car’s warranty too in case there are any discounts you could get from the manufacturer or the distributor themselves.
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