How to Get an Affordable Car Key Replacement?
Car key replacement is not as complicated or expensive as it seems. For many of us, we’ve experienced misplacing our keys and not being successful in finding them. Something as small as car keys can ruin our day. We may miss an important appointment like business meetings or a trip you’ve been looking forward to.
Before, when you lose your car keys, you’re expected to also lose a lot of money. But today, with the technology that we have, you can have a car key replacement for just an hour or two. Car Key Replacement Toronto is here to make sure that your car’s value will not depreciate because of keys that have been lost.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways that you can get a replacement without burning a hole through your wallet.
Get the VIN First
The Vehicle Identification Number or VIN is important. You can get it from the engine bay or dashboard of your car. Also, take note of the exact model, make, and year of the car. If you’re finding it hard to obtain the vehicle identification number, you can check your insurance documents or the car’s title.
Check Your Car Insurance
As you may already know, you’d need to pay for the premium regularly so that the insurance remains active. In the event that you lose your car keys, you can claim on the car insurance policy the amount of money that you’ve spent on the car key replacement.
There are policies that offer coverage for keys on the regular car insurance. However, there are also policies that offer this as an upgrade or add-on. Before signing any car insurance policy, be sure to read the contract thoroughly and check to see if a car key replacement is covered.
Call a Car Key Replacement Service
If you’re not at home or at the office and you’ve lost your keys, it would definitely be a hassle to leave your vehicle and find a way to get replacements. Today, you can easily call a car key replacement service and the team will take you and your car to your home, office, or wherever you may need to be.
These services may be covered by your car insurance. Don’t hesitate to ask the service company or the insurance company on what is and what’s not covered. It is in this way that you will know upfront if you need to pay for anything and how much it’s going to cost you.
Shop for a Replacement Online
If you have time and getting a replacement is not urgent, you can check for replacement keys online. It usually costs less compared to getting them from the car manufacturer. There are several reputable dealers on eBay, Amazon, and other platforms. However, it would be better if you can find companies online that offer specific services on replacing car keys.
What you have to remember is that older vehicles tend to have simpler keys. They will be much easier to replace. Some vehicles need a piece of specialized equipment so that the keys can be made. Check the local companies offering car key replacement services first. Don’t forget to check the charges for the programming of keys as well.
Buy New Keys
Among these options on getting a car key replacement, this is the one where you’ll have to spend the most. Ordering a replacement key from the car dealer will usually take one to two days. As for the cost, it may be about $200 more or less. Depending on the complexity of the car key, chances are that it’s going to cost more than that.
It is more expensive than the others because of the programming that needs to be done. However, the best auto locksmith in Toronto can do the same for a fraction of the cost. Some of the services include programing the remote keys for you to be able to control the keyless entry, locks, and car alarm.
Takeaway
The price of getting replacement car keys depends on several factors including the vehicle model as well as how quickly you need the car keys to be available. It can be very tempting to buy a cheap car key from an online dealer. However, know that this is going to be risky. There’s a 50% chance that the key you will buy online will not work or you won’t be able to program it for your vehicle.
It is best to check local locksmiths first. You will surely find one that will offer you a replacement key at a fair price. Anyway, you can claim your insurance after getting your keys. Remember that you’re going to need some documents for that. With a reliable car key replacement company, such paperwork will be provided to you.