Losing the only key to your car feels like the start of an expensive week. It doesn't have to be. Here's what actually happens, and the fastest way through it.
First, check the obvious
Coat pockets, the gym bag, the last restaurant. Call the places you went. It sounds silly, but about one in five "lost key" calls we get in Seattle ends with the key turning up before the van arrives.
You do not need a tow
This is the part most people don't know. A mobile automotive locksmith can make a brand-new key for a car with no existing key. The technician reads the key code from your VIN or from the door lock, cuts a blank on the van, and programs the chip or fob to the car's immobilizer with the same kind of tools a dealer uses. You stay where you are. The car stays where it is.
What it costs compared to the dealer
A dealer charges separately for the tow, the key, the cutting and the programming, and usually books you days out. A locksmith quotes one price for the whole job, on the phone, and comes the same day. For most cars it's noticeably less than the dealer; for all of them it's faster.
What you'll need
- Proof you own the car — registration or insurance card with your ID.
- The year, make and model (so we bring the right blank).
- Whether it's a push-to-start car or a turn-key car.
Get a spare while the van is there
A second key cut at the same visit costs a fraction of a from-scratch replacement. Almost everyone who's just lived through an all-keys-lost day says yes.