Losing your car keys is, of course, very stressful, but if you don’t have a backup, or your key could potentially have been stolen, this can cause even more of a headache, where you can’t get into your car, and need to worry about whether it is at risk of being stolen.
The best possible solution is to contact an experienced, ALA-approved specialist auto locksmith who will be able to get you back on the road as quickly as possible, but we’ll also need to check that you are the genuine owner of your vehicle.
We’ve created this quick guide to explain what happens when you call us for a replacement key, what we’ll need to ask, and why the type of key you have, or have lost, might influence the process.
How Do Auto Locksmiths Produce New Car Keys?
The vast majority of callouts we attend are for vehicles with transponder keys, rather than the simpler car keys that were produced until around the 1980s. Fobs contain a programmed chip, which means this isn’t a case of ‘cutting’ a new key, but of programming a new transponder that your car recognises.
If you drive a more modern vehicle, you’ll likely have a smart key, which will also need to be replaced with a fully programmed model that is paired with the immobiliser system in your car. That means we’ll need to supply a new chip and sync it with your vehicle to ensure the remote functions all work correctly.
These processes require professional scanning and programming tools, and your locksmith will:
- Start by verifying ownership and the make, model, and year of your vehicle to ensure they have the correct blank fob and chip type.
- Gain entry to your vehicle without causing damage, so that they can plug their scanner into the car and retrieve the security data.
- Activate pairing mode and program the new smart key or transponder fob to your specific vehicle, ensuring you can turn on the ignition and use keyless entry.
Engineers will need to access security information to program a new set of keys, which is why you should check that any auto locksmith you call is a credible, experienced provider, who will also test the keys once the work is complete to ensure everything functions as it should.
What Information Will an Auto Locksmith Ask Me For?
As we’ve touched on, we have to run through a few safety checks, which confirm that you are the registered owner. This is a necessity to ensure any replacement keys we produce are only ever handed over to a legitimate customer. We’ll ask about:
- Your vehicle: The make, model and year, or registration number to look up any details you’re not 100% sure of if your log book and other documents are locked inside the car.
- Your details: Your name, address and driving licence to confirm this matches the ownership information on record.
There are other checks auto locksmiths might need to carry out, such as scanning the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and looking at the identification number on a broken key, if you have one.
Rest assured that, if you’ve lost your only set of car keys, we’ll usually be able to find this information within your manual, if it is required, but otherwise, as long as we can confirm you own the vehicle, we’ll be able to either track down the relevant records or help you find the details you need.
If you think your original key might have been stolen, or don’t know where or how this was lost, it’s important to let us know. To be on the safe side, our engineer will also reprogram the settings within your car during the call out, alongside programming a new key, ensuring that the old keys won’t work any longer if they have fallen into the wrong hands.
Is It Worth Getting More Than One Replacement Car Key?
Yes, if you have just one key, there is always the potential that you’ll find yourself in an emergency if the keys are lost, stolen or damaged, and it’s much more sensible to have a backup where possible that you can keep safely at home.
Urgent locksmith callouts are inevitably more expensive than having a spare set of keys made in our workshop. Once you’ve regained entry to your vehicle, we’d recommend getting a backup set made, which will ensure you’re not in the same situation again.
Will My Car Insurance Provider Cover Replacements for Lost Keys?
Drivers have several options for sourcing replacement car keys without the original key. Although an independent auto locksmith is almost always the fastest, safest, and most cost-effective way forward, it might be worth checking whether key replacement is included with your insurance.
Some insurers offer car key cover, but it’s normally a premium add-on available at an additional cost, and you may need to look into whether your no-claims bonus will be affected.
Should you hold this specific type of cover, it’s best to call your insurer first. However, in any case, the standard process is to have the work completed by an approved, verified auto locksmith, since insurance providers don’t tend to have their own in-house key replacement services.
Other options include:
- Contacting a roadside assistance or vehicle breakdown service provider, most won’t carry specialist key coding equipment, but may be able to tow you home to wait for a locksmith.
- Consulting the dealership where you bought your car. This is typically a more costly solution, and dealerships will usually have to order blank fobs. That could mean waiting several days for a new key or finding that the dealership will also outsource to an auto locksmith.
Our free online quote service at Eydens Auto Locksmith & Vehicle Security is a great place to start if you’re worried about replacement key costs. Simply tell us the service you need and the details of your car, or get in touch and give us a call and we’ll be happy to advise.
