Guide: Here’s how expensive reordered car keys are: What to do if car key is lost

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Martin A. BartholdiEditor Car and Mobility

It all happened very quickly: We take the smartphone out of our pocket and before we know it, the car key comes with it and falls to the ground. You can leave it at a restaurant or forget it at the pump after filling up with fuel; There are many ways to lose your car keys. This is doubly frustrating because we may not be able to go home anymore and have to buy a new one in the first place. So what do you do if the key is lost?

Many manufacturers offer a service called assistance service, often along with a toll-free phone number. Alternative: The driver contacts the nearest brand representative, this is also valid abroad. It is important to provide the chassis and/or key number.

Numerous security measures

You can find the chassis number on the vehicle registration document. Otherwise it is usually in the lower right part of the windshield. If this is not the case, your brand representative should know the number because it is recorded in the system with your customer number or license plate or stated in the purchase contract when you purchase the vehicle.

With this information, the new key is ordered, programmed, and delivered upon presentation of identification, sometimes within a day. In case the master key is lost, a new control unit will be needed depending on the brand and the spare key (be sure to take it with you!) will need to be adjusted. Loss in general can be expensive. Modern radio keys easily cost over 500 francs and up to 1000 francs with programming. However, prices vary depending on the model and features.

This is how much a replacement key costs for your brand

* All information is relative to the manufacturer

Once the new key is programmed, the old key will no longer work. But for this you need to visit the workshop. It is practically not possible to block the key via an application or customer service (such as a credit card). Only more expensive luxury brands like Mercedes offer these options for the latest models in their brand apps. The function is partially integrated into paid services. In Mercedes, all keys can be blocked, including digital keys stored on the smartphone.

Does insurance cover the costs?

Comprehensive insurance pays in case of theft. But most of the time you lose a bonus level and the resulting higher bonus is more expensive than the replacement key. Lock replacement or programming fees are not insured and therefore you must pay.

What reduces anger?

Always keep the spare key in a safe place. In your luggage on your holiday trips! What might be useful in an emergency: Most modern radio switches still have a traditional emergency switch with an integrated “beard”. This is necessary if the remote control key is broken or no longer works due to a dead vehicle battery. However, the emergency beard is often only enough to open the door, but not enough to start the engine (electronic immobilizer).

What is keyless entry or keyless start?

Thanks to keyless entry, the vehicle and the key recognize each other; the driver can easily get into the car. With the Keyless Start feature, the vehicle is also started by pressing a button. This means: The key always stays in your pocket. BMW now even has a touch-screen remote key. Not only does it display the fuel level, it can even maneuver the car in and out of a tight parking space. Mercedes offers this function via the app.

Smartphones may replace car keys in the next few years. Luxury manufacturers in particular already offer keyless access via smartphone. Once the mobile phone is unlocked with a key, it no longer needs the actual key provided by the manufacturer. This access can even be temporarily transferred to family members or friends via smartphone. This means you can rent the car even if you’re not there to hand over the keys. Depending on the manufacturer, up to five smartphones can be registered as keys.

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Source: Blick

Ella

I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.