Replacing Lost Car Keys

How to replace lost car keys

Losing car keys happens to all of us. But don’t panic – it’s not the end of the world. While it can be incredibly frustrating and expensive to get a replacement, there are several ways to get access to your vehicle.

If you’ve lost a set of keys and are planning on selling your car, then it is definitely worth your while replacing them so you can hand over two sets of keys to the buyer for a higher price. Otherwise, you could risk harming the resale value of your car and losing out on money.

Contact your breakdown service

If you're signed up with a breakdown service and your policy covers lost keys, they can help you regain access to your car. If they cannot, then you will need to contact a locksmith which will cost money. Breakdown services may be able to take you home to retrieve spare keys if you have them at home at an additional cost.

Claim on your car insurance policy

Regardless of if your car keys have been lost or stolen, you can claim lost keys on your insurance policy. Some policies may have this automatically included which will save you some money and some may provide it at an additional cost. Read your policy's small print to find out what you can claim and if you'll need to pay an excess on your claim and if it will affect your no claims bonus. It’s worth noting that if you claim on your car insurance, this could eventually make your insurance more expensive than buying a car key replacement.

Claim on key protection cover

Key protection cover is a type of insurance separate from your car insurance to help cover the costs of replacing car keys. Claiming on this sort of policy won’t affect your no claims bonus on your car insurance and will be a cheaper option than paying outright to replace them.

Buy a new set of keys

If you don’t have a spare set of keys to save the day, then you might have no option but to contact your car’s manufacturer for a new set of keys. This is the most expensive choice due to the programming needed in creating a unique locking system for your car. You can expect to pay over an estimated £200 for many different car models.

Get a spare key cut on the high street

If you still have your spare key, you should head to a key cutter to replace the one that you have misplaced. While they won't be able to provide you with a central locking system, it is a cheaper option than going to your manufacturer.

Now that you know how to replace your lost car keys, get a free, instant car valuation by GoodBye Car within minutes. Don't worry - you can sell your van with us too! Alternatively, visit one of our 6 dealerships across Scotland.