Advice
Seven steps to get a car key replacement
It’s not uncommon for people to lose their car keys, so don’t worry - because there are a few fixes you can try in this article.
Words by: Nimisha Jain
Published on 22 September 2023 | 0 min read
If you’ve lost your car keys, don’t panic. There are a couple of ways to get a replacement car key. Keep in mind that each option has different costs associated and some can take more time than others, so you should consider what’s affordable and convenient for you.
Your options include:
Your options include:
1. Look for your spare key
Before you rush to buy a replacement car key, try to remember if you’ve already got a spare key at home. If you do have a spare key, but are away from home, consider whether you can get a lift back home or if someone else can bring the spare key to you.
It’s fine if you don’t have a spare key at home. Here are a few more options you can consider.
It’s fine if you don’t have a spare key at home. Here are a few more options you can consider.
2. Contact your vehicle breakdown cover provider
If you’re stranded without a car key, you should contact your breakdown cover provider if you’ve got one.
Once you contact them, ask them if and when they can come to you and help. This way, you can stay by your car while someone comes and helps you. Many breakdown providers are trained to deal with such situations and offer mobile key-cutting services so they should be able to cut you a new car key quickly. If your breakdown cover does provide this service, it may be helpful to mention the car key type beforehand when you contact them for help. If your breakdown provider can’t cut a new key for you, they may be able to tow you to the closest garage so that you can get a new key for your car.
Once you contact them, ask them if and when they can come to you and help. This way, you can stay by your car while someone comes and helps you. Many breakdown providers are trained to deal with such situations and offer mobile key-cutting services so they should be able to cut you a new car key quickly. If your breakdown cover does provide this service, it may be helpful to mention the car key type beforehand when you contact them for help. If your breakdown provider can’t cut a new key for you, they may be able to tow you to the closest garage so that you can get a new key for your car.
4. Get help from an auto locksmith
An auto locksmith could cut you a replacement car key. Since they specialise in these services, they can usually cut all types of keys and get the job done quickly.
They’re also usually cheaper than getting a new key from the car manufacturer.
They’re also usually cheaper than getting a new key from the car manufacturer.
5. Contact the car dealership
You can contact the dealership you bought your car from to get a replacement car key, but this may be the most expensive way to replace the lost key.
If you do opt for this, however, you’ll be able to get a like-for-like key replacement for your car along with all the programming features that many new cars like the Ford Focus, Tesla Model 3 and the Jaguar E-Pace include.
If you do opt for this, however, you’ll be able to get a like-for-like key replacement for your car along with all the programming features that many new cars like the Ford Focus, Tesla Model 3 and the Jaguar E-Pace include.
6. Contact your local garage
Your local garage may also be able to replace the lost car keys.
Some garages, however, may not offer this service so you should call ahead to find out if they provide a key-cutting service or not. Again, this option is likely to be cheaper than getting a car key from the dealership.
Some garages, however, may not offer this service so you should call ahead to find out if they provide a key-cutting service or not. Again, this option is likely to be cheaper than getting a car key from the dealership.
7. Check your insurance policy
Many car insurance policies include the cost of replacing a lost key, so check your insurance cover documents to find out if you can save some money by making a claim.
Some insurance policies offer a car key cover as an add-on to your policy while some offer it as a standard. You may also want to inform your insurance provider that you’ve lost your car keys, even if they don’t cover the replacement, as your car may become a security risk until you get the lost key fob disabled.
Some insurance policies offer a car key cover as an add-on to your policy while some offer it as a standard. You may also want to inform your insurance provider that you’ve lost your car keys, even if they don’t cover the replacement, as your car may become a security risk until you get the lost key fob disabled.
How do they replace a lost car key?
The process of replacing your car keys will depend on the type of car key you had.
A manual car key is much easier and quicker to replace as you can simply get a new key cut. If you had a remote key, it would require a bit more time as it requires programming the new key and disabling the old, lost key to remove the risk of anyone having access to your car.
A manual car key is much easier and quicker to replace as you can simply get a new key cut. If you had a remote key, it would require a bit more time as it requires programming the new key and disabling the old, lost key to remove the risk of anyone having access to your car.
How much does it cost to replace a lost car key?
The cost to replace your lost car key will, again, depend upon the type of key you had.
Replacing a manual car key is simpler, and thus cheaper, costing usually around £60-100 whereas replacing a remote key requires more time and expertise, so it can cost you anywhere north of £300-1000 depending upon how much work the reprogramming of the key requires.
Replacing a manual car key is simpler, and thus cheaper, costing usually around £60-100 whereas replacing a remote key requires more time and expertise, so it can cost you anywhere north of £300-1000 depending upon how much work the reprogramming of the key requires.
What documents will I need to replace the lost car key?
If you can, call ahead and ask for a full list of documents that you’ll need to replace the lost car key.
But the basic documents you should carry include a proof of identity, such as your driving licence, and your V5C document as proof of ownership of your car. It’ll also be helpful to know the exact make and model of your car so that the locksmith can cut the correct key for you. Having the right insurance cover for your car can be really helpful in times like these and help you save a lot of money. On Auto Trader, you can find the cheapest quotes available for your car, or the next car you’re thinking of buying. If you're looking for a more comprehensive, or cheaper, insurance cover - get a free quote here. Learn more about the different insurance covers, and how to find the best insurance for your car.
But the basic documents you should carry include a proof of identity, such as your driving licence, and your V5C document as proof of ownership of your car. It’ll also be helpful to know the exact make and model of your car so that the locksmith can cut the correct key for you. Having the right insurance cover for your car can be really helpful in times like these and help you save a lot of money. On Auto Trader, you can find the cheapest quotes available for your car, or the next car you’re thinking of buying. If you're looking for a more comprehensive, or cheaper, insurance cover - get a free quote here. Learn more about the different insurance covers, and how to find the best insurance for your car.