Life can be really busy sometimes. In the shuffle from home to work, school drop off and pick up, grocery store runs, dinner with friends, a night out with your significant other, and a million other errands – things tend to get lost. It just, well, happens. It could be your debit card or your favorite pair of sunglasses. It may even be a sweater or a pair of gloves. But one thing that can send shockwaves through the rest of your life – and your plans – is losing your car keys.
How can you accomplish anything on your to-do list if you can’t drive your car? What if you don’t have a spare key? And what if you are nowhere near home?
Don’t panic. So, how do you replace lost car keys? It’s much easier than you may think.
Types of Keys
It is rare to come across a traditional car key these days. Most are more sophisticated, providing additional convenience and safety. The cost of replacing your key and the ease of doing so will vary based on the type of key you have.
- Traditional key
- Car key fob with attached key
- Transponder key
- Smart key (keyless)
Thankfully, each of these keys can be replaced if you lose it. You just have to decide who you want to call.
Weigh Your Options
When you lose your car keys, you have two options: call your car dealership or call a locksmith. The one you choose will depend on your circumstances and just how quickly you want to get back in your car.
Heading to the dealership seems like a logical step in getting a key for a car they sold, doesn’t it? It may be, but it also will cost you both time and money. Dealerships tend to be quite expensive when it comes to purchasing a key. And, depending on the dealership and the make of the car, they may require you to have the car towed to their location. The entire process could take several hours or even a couple of days.
How about the second option? Calling a locksmith almost always gets you a faster response time – in every way. And, it generally costs less than the dealership, too. Locksmiths are equipped with the skills and the tools necessary to handle all types of keys listed above – and the ability to program an electronic chip or key fob. Unlike the dealership, you don’t even have to take it to the locksmith because a locksmith can come to you.
Calling the Locksmith
If you have decided to go with the more affordable, quicker option, then a locksmith should be able to get you back on the road in no time. Having a few key pieces of information (pun intended) will help ensure the process goes smoothly. These include:
- The make and model of your vehicle
- The year of your vehicle
- Your car registration
- Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- The vehicles current location
This information not only gives the locksmith an idea of the type of key that you need and the information needed for the new key to be programmed, but it will also help confirm that you are in fact the owner of the vehicle.
Replace Lost Keys with Texas Premier Locksmith
If you find yourself missing your keys, Texas Premier Locksmith can get you in your car and on the road in no time. Anytime, day or night.
Contact us today at 866-948-8188.