What to Do When You Lost Your Car Key
Have you ever experienced that empty feeling of getting to your car, reaching for the keys, and suddenly realizing there’s a problem? The problem is that you can’t find your car keys. If it hasn’t yet happened to you, you should consider yourself lucky.
There is no point in wasting time in this situation. The moment you realize you are dealing with lost car keys is the moment you need to start looking for a solution. After all, you are not going anywhere until the issue is resolved.
As a top-rated local locksmith serving areas like Fremont, Hayward, Concord, Tri-Valley, East Bay, Berkeley, and Dublin, we can tell you with confidence that you will need to contact a reliable auto locksmith in Tri-Valley. That call for help should go to Locksmith on Wheels. Our entire staff of locksmith technicians knows exactly how to get a replacement car key without the original, and that’s what you are going to need.
Why wait? Call us now!
Who Can Provide a Car Key Replacement Without the Original – The Process
If you need to replace lost car keys, you are going to need help doing it. It’s not something the ordinary layperson can do because they don’t typically have access to raw key stock and the necessary key-cutting equipment/machinery. Where can you turn?
You’ll find there are only two realistic options. The first option is your local car dealership. They should have your car ownership and car details on file. Unfortunately, they may not be able to come to you, which could cause you a bit of inconvenience. Also, car dealerships can be quite pricey when it comes to any kind of car repair, especially considering a car key replacement cost.
If you live in the East Bay area, your best option by far would be to contact a reputable East Bay emergency locksmith, that being Locksmith on Wheels. As a mobile locksmith in East Bay, we have fully equipped mobile units that will allow us to handle a car key replacement in East Bay quickly and efficiently.
You must understand the process because there are legalities involved. Before we could cut you a key, we would need to gather certain documentation. This is necessary for the protection of the vehicle’s rightful owner. We would need to see proof of your identification, plus some type of documentation that proves you have the right to access the vehicle. Approved documentation would be the car title, a rental car agreement, or car loan documentation.
Once we clear up the legalities, we’ll use the car’s Vin # to access the key specs from the car manufacturer’s database. With that information in hand, we can cut as many car keys as you need in short order.
How Much is It to Replace Lost Car Keys? – Locksmiths vs. Dealerships
You are right to wonder about the cost of replacing keys, especially without the original. While we are reluctant to offer quotes in this space, we can tell you how to get a replacement car key without the original from us could run between $50 and $300. Rest assured, the price might be double that if you go to the dealership.
To help you understand how we would determine price, we can tell you we would consider these factors:
- Whether or not the original key is available
- Year, make & model of vehicle
- The location where the service call would need to be directed
- The type of key that needs to be cut
- The number of duplicates that you might want
If you have this information available, feel free to give us a call. We might be able to give you a quote over the phone before we send a mobile unit to your location.
How to Prevent Getting Locked Out of Your Car in the Future
If an “ounce of cure is worth a pound of prevention,” it would make sense you would want to take steps to prevent getting locked out of your car and put in need of an East Bay emergency locksmith. Embrace these tips:
- Keep a spare key hidden somewhere around the outside of the vehicle
- Make sure an easily accessible friend or family member has a spare key to bring you
- Install a key locator
- Install a keyless entry option
- Never manually lock your car doors
- Check your pockets or purse frequently to ensure you have the key – the sooner you know it’s lost, the easier it might be to find it
Get Professional Locksmith Assistance for Your Car Key Replacement Needs
Locksmith on Wheels is a top-rated local locksmith, providing services in areas like Fremont, Hayward, Concord, Tri-Valley, Berkeley, and Dublin. We offer a full menu of locksmith services for homes, businesses, and vehicles.
Our reputation is second to none because we consistently offer great customer service and affordable prices with parts and labor 100% guaranteed. Need help? Don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Frequently Asked
Questions
How can I replace a lost car key without the original?
We would suggest you call us right away. Before we proceed, we would need proof of ID and car ownership, plus the car’s Vin #. If you can provide this info, we’ll have you covered.
What is the cost of replacing a car key without the original in East Bay?
The price range with us would be about $50 to as much as $300. The final price would be determined based on these criteria:
- Whether or not the original key is available
- Year, make & model of vehicle
- The location where the service call would need to be directed
- The type of key that needs to be cut
- The number of duplicates that you might want
Are there locksmiths in the Bay Area who can make a new car key without the original?
Yes. The auto locksmith community is a very competitive community with dozens of locksmiths serving the area with a full menu of car locksmith services. Proudly, we rank at the top of the list due to the quality of the services that we provide.
What information do I need to provide to get a new car key without the original?
We would need proof of your identity, some kind of paper documentation that confirms you have a right to access the vehicle, and the vehicle’s VIN #. Proper documentation to prove the right to access the vehicle includes the car title, car loan documentation, or a car rental agreement.