What To Do When You Lose Your Car Keys

The sheer panic of not being able to find your car keys can nearly stop your heart. Car remotes are more advanced—and therefore more expensive—these days, which can make losing one even more impactful. However, losing car keys is something almost everyone goes through at least once in their lives. Knowing what to do after losing your keys can help you get back on track. 

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What to do if you lose your car keys

If you lose your car keys, the first step is to secure your vehicle and then obtain a replacement set of keys. Depending on the type of key lost, drivers who don’t have a second set of keys handy or aren’t able to unlock and start their vehicle must have their vehicle towed to the dealership to have a new set of keys programmed to the car. If you’re leasing a vehicle and lose the keys, you can either use the key insurance available as an add-on when you sign the lease or pay for a replacement key to be made before or when you turn in the lease. 

Most cars have one of five different types of car keys: traditional key, key fob, switchblade key, transponder, or smart key. Read on to find out what to do when you lose each type of car key. 

Traditional keys

Traditional car keys are common on older vehicles. Conventional car keys resemble the metal key you use to open your front door. Similar to your home door lock, a traditional car key fits the ignition and allows it to unlock to start the vehicle. Here’s how to replace a lost traditional key: 

1. Call an automotive locksmith. 

2. The auto locksmith can do an impression of the car’s locking mechanism from the driver’s door or the trunk, depending on your particular car’s make and model. 

3. With this lock impression, the local locksmith can cut you a new key on-site. 

If, for some reason, a replacement key cannot be made, you must have the car towed to a car dealership and have the ignition lock cylinder replaced. This new cylinder will come with a new set of keys. If you’re worried that someone may have your lost key and can get into your car, you might consider this option anyway to prevent theft. 

Key fobs

An electronic key fob represents the first evolution of the keys many people carry around today. This key fob works with a metal key but provides easy access by unlocking the doors automatically. Below are the steps required to replace a key fob: 

1. Purchase another key fob online, from an auto parts store, or from a dealership. 

2. Program the key yourself, or have a technician program it for you. 

Once you program your new fob to your vehicle, the old one should be rendered inoperable. If you lost your key with your key fob, refer to the steps above on replacing a metal key. 

Switchblade keys

Depressing a button on your car remote mechanically allows a key blade to spring out from these types of keys. This type of car key is yet another iteration of the metal key and fob, but here’s how you can replace one if you lose it: 

1. Call a tow truck and have your car towed to the dealership. Alternatively, if you have a second switchblade key, you can drive the car to the dealership and save yourself the towing bill. 

2. Purchase a new switchblade key to have it programmed to your vehicle. Even if you have a second key, you’ll need to reprogram the switchblade key’s electronics so the old lost key doesn’t work. 

If your car still has a mechanical lock on the driver’s door or trunk area, you may need to replace these as well, as the metal part of the switchblade key can still functionally unlock the car.

Transponder keys

These types of car keys featured a computer chip in the broadest part of the key. This chip pairs with the ignition electronically to allow the car to start. Replacing this type of key requires more of you as the owner: 

1. Have your vehicle towed to the nearest dealership.

2. Demonstrate proof of ownership before ordering a new transponder key. 

3. Once the key arrives at the dealership, it must be programmed to the vehicle. 

Since transponder keys are about as old as metal keys, replacing them can be challenging if the dealership no longer supports this type of locking mechanism.

Smart keys

When many automotive manufacturers turned to push-button start ignition and keyless entry, smart keys paired with this keyless ignition type allowed the car to start. You can also think of smart keys as proximity keys that unlock your car automatically if you touch the handle in a specific spot or get close enough to the car. 

The process for replacing a smart key mirrors that of transponder and switchblade keys: 

1. Have your car towed to the dealership if you don’t have a spare key, but if you do, drive it there yourself. 

2. Order a new smart key and wait for it to come in. 

3. Pay a technician to reprogram the key to the ignition. The technician will need your second original smart key (if you have one) to reprogram it as well. 

Some dealerships may require you to demonstrate proof of ownership when ordering a new smart key. Similarly, if your smart key becomes damaged or broken, you must follow the same steps above to replace it.

Replacing a car key: dealership vs. locksmith

The differences between getting a replacement car key from a locksmith and a dealership depend on what type of car key you need. Locksmiths, specifically automotive ones, can easily cut you a new one if it’s a basic metal key. They can potentially also replicate transponder and switchblade keys for you, but the electronic part of the key will still require programming by a certified technician. 

How much does it cost to replace a car key? 

Traditional keys are the least expensive to replace. Most locksmiths can replicate traditional metal car keys without any significant issues. Since these types of keys don’t include any electronic component, there’s no need to pay for reprogramming either. In most cases, traditional car keys cost less than $75 to replace. 

However, key fobs, switchblade keys, transponders, and smart keys require replacement and reprogramming, which can drive up the cost of getting new keys made. Key fobs represent the separate electronic component of a car key that eventually is integrated into the car key design with switchblade, transponder, and smart keys. You can purchase OEM key fobs at dealerships or aftermarket key fobs for less than $100. 

Once you get into switchblade keys, transponders, and smart keys, you’re looking at replacement costs of $200 or more. Transponder keys require a matching chip in the vehicle to work. Switchblade and smart keys require reprogramming the car to the new key, which can drive up replacement costs depending on hourly labor rates. Replacement costs also include the cost of towing your vehicle, so a total bill of $300 or more isn’t out of the question. 

Are lost car keys covered by your car insurance? 

Most car insurance policies don’t include a clause covering lost car keys. However, exact coverage details depend on your policy and the circumstances surrounding the loss of your car keys. Discuss your coverage with your car insurance company to see if they cover a new car key. You can also purchase additional coverage that’s specific to car keys from third-party vendors if you’re worried about replacement costs. 

One of the main reasons car insurance carriers don’t incorporate lost car key coverage in their policies stems from the amount of average replacement costs most owners incur when they lose their keys. In other words, it costs more to make an insurance claim on lost car keys in most cases than it does to pay for replacements out of pocket. Even if you have to buy a $300 replacement key fob and pay $150 (or more) to have it programmed, that’s still less than a $1,000 deductible. 

A quick Google search can help you find companies that offer key replacement coverage or discounted key replacement services. For example, popular roadside assistance services like AAA help pay for the cost of calling a locksmith. While this doesn’t necessarily cover the cost of replacing your lost key, it can help offset additional costs of associated services. 

How to avoid losing your keys in the future 

It only takes losing your car keys once to put strategies in place to avoid misplacing them again. Below are additional tips you can use to avoid losing your keys in the future: 

• Place a brightly colored element on your key ring

• Designate an area in your home for hanging your keys

• Attach your car key to a lanyard 

• Separate duplicate keys and give one to your significant other, or place one in a secure spot

• Attach an AirTag to your keys

• Set a reminder to help you remember to put your car keys away in a safe place 

It’s good practice to search for the best mom cars or what credit score you need to buy a car, but sticking to the methods above can help you avoid the panic of losing your car keys. Share these methods with friends and family if they have trouble losing their car keys, too.