What to do if you've lost your car keys

Whether your keys are lost or stolen, you can usually get a replacement without the original. Here's what to do.

I've lost my keys. How do I get a replacement set?

Losing your car keys is a pain, but if you need a lost car key replacement, there are a few ways you may be able to get a new set. The best option may depend on your car, how quickly you need a key and what cover you already have. It's worth checking your breakdown cover and car insurance first, then comparing the options below.

Check whether your breakdown cover includes key help

Breakdown policies vary. Some may help with lost or stolen keys, either as standard, in a higher level of cover or as an add-on, while others may only cover being locked out of your car. It's worth checking before you book anyone.

Check your policy documents or call your provider and ask:

• Whether lost or stolen, key cover is included, and at what level of cover
• What it may pay for, for example, a locksmith call-out, cutting and programming a new key, or a contribution towards the cost
• Whether there's a limit, an excess, or conditions on how the keys were lost
• Whether you need to use their approved locksmith or can choose your own

Contact them before you arrange anything yourself, as some providers may not reimburse work they haven't agreed to. Keep any receipts. Waiting times may be long, and your provider may not cut keys themselves, so a locksmith you choose may sometimes be quicker.

Call an auto locksmith

An auto locksmith should be able to cut and programme a new key for you, even if you've lost the original and don't have a spare. Prices and waiting times vary, so it's worth comparing quotes.

Some locksmiths only work with certain makes and models, and not all can programme every type of key, so it's worth asking a few questions up front:

• Can you cut and programme a key for my make, model and year?
• What's the total price, including VAT, call-out, key and programming?
• How soon can you get here, and do you come to me?

Get quotes from a few locksmiths, ask for a price before they set out, and check reviews. Be wary of very low advertised call-out prices. Ask for the total price before work starts, ideally in writing, and don't agree to work you haven't been quoted for. It's also worth getting a dealership quote, as prices and waiting times vary depending on your car and the type of key.

Some locksmiths offer mobile services, coming to you and cutting and programming a new key or fob on the spot. If your key was stolen, ask whether they can deprogramme it (stop it from working) and whether they can repair any damaged locks.

Buy a replacement key from the dealership

A dealership should be able to supply a replacement key for your make and model, and for some newer or high-security cars it may be your only option. Dealerships can be more expensive, and some order the key in rather than cutting it on site, which can add time. You may need to travel to them or leave the car with them.

If you go this way, ask what they need from you (this may include photo ID, proof of ownership and your VIN), what the total price will be, and how long the key may take to arrive.

Visit a local garage

Not all garages have the equipment to programme a new key, but some may. If you have one nearby, call to check whether they can cut and programme a key for your car and what it may cost. If they can't, they may be able to recommend a locksmith.

Don't have a spare key? Here's what to do

Lost your car keys with no spare? You should usually still be able to get a replacement, even if it was your only car key. A locksmith or dealership should be able to cut and programme a new key without the original, although it may take a little longer or cost a little more than if you had a spare to work from, as they may need to check ownership first.

To get a new key without a spare, you may need photo ID, proof of ownership (such as a purchase receipt or finance agreement) and your V5C. You may also need your vehicle's VIN, which you should be able to see through the windscreen at the lower corner of the dashboard on the driver's side.

How much do replacement car keys cost?

According to Checkatrade, the cost of a replacement car key averages around £240. Checkatrade describes its figures as ballpark averages based on past jobs, so actual prices may vary. How much it costs to replace a car key may depend on the type of key your car uses, and the average covers a range of key types:

• Standard/mechanical key (no electronic element): typically around £160
• Remote key (press to lock/unlock, insert to start): typically around £320
• Keyless entry/smart key (push-button start): typically around £280, and it may be higher for some premium models

Prices can be much higher for luxury models. For example, Checkatrade gives around £595 for a Range Rover Sport remote key, compared with its average of around £320 for a remote key.

When comparing quotes, check whether the price includes VAT, call-out, the key and programming. A dealership can be more expensive than a locksmith.

What should I do if my car keys were stolen?

Stolen car keys are a different situation from a key lost down the back of the sofa. If someone has your key and was anywhere near your address when they took it, your car may be at greater risk. That risk may need dealing with alongside getting a replacement.

Here's what you may want to do:

• Report it to the police and get a crime reference number. You can call 101 if it isn't an emergency. Your insurer may ask for this reference if you make a claim.
• Tell your insurer as soon as possible. A theft is not the same as a lost key, and the security implications may affect your policy. Check your policy documents to confirm what you're required to report and when, then contact them.
• Talk to a locksmith about the old key. If there's any chance someone has your key and knows where your car is, it's worth asking whether the old key can be deprogrammed (stopped from working) and a new key cut. A locksmith may be able to do this, depending on your car, so ask them to confirm the old key no longer works.

If you feel unsafe or think someone is at your home, call 999.

Key cover may cover stolen keys as well as lost ones, but conditions can vary, so check the insurance section below and your policy documents.

See our guide to car theft prevention for more on keeping your car secure.

What do I need to get a replacement key?

If you're using an auto locksmith, you may need to show a few bits of info first - they'll want to be certain the car is yours.

Here's what you might be asked for:

• A form of ID, for example, your driving licence
• Your car's make and model
• Your car's vehicle identification number (VIN)

Your V5C logbook, which shows you're the registered keeper, plus other proof of ownership if you have it, such as a purchase receipt or finance agreement

How can I get my VIN and V5C without my keys?

You should be able to see your VIN through the windscreen, usually at the lower corner of the dashboard on the driver's side, so you may not need to get into the car to find it. Not every car shows the VIN there, though. It may also appear on a plate in the driver's door frame, on your V5C or on your insurance documents.

If your V5C (logbook) is locked in the car, try to find other proof that you own the car, such as a purchase receipt or finance agreement. Explain the situation to the locksmith - some may be able to help without having the V5C to hand.

Otherwise, you may need to apply for a replacement V5C. According to Gov.uk, a replacement usually costs £25, and you'll usually receive it by post within 5 to 7 working days. You must be the registered keeper to apply online. For more information, read our guide to replacing your V5C.

When you get your V5C, it's best to keep it in a secure place that's not your car. 

Can I claim on my car insurance for replacement keys?

Some car insurance policies include key cover, either as standard or as an optional extra. Where it's included, you may be able to claim towards the cost of replacing lost or stolen keys, but whether you can depends on your policy. Check your policy documents for the exact limit and any conditions that apply.

Key cover isn't right for everyone, and it's worth weighing up the downsides before you claim or buy:

• Key cover is often an optional extra, so it may not be on your policy
• Adding key cover may increase your premium, so compare the extra cost with the likely benefit
• The limit may be lower than the cost of replacing some keys
• You may have to pay an excess, which may be more than the cost of the key
• Insurers treat key claims differently, so ask whether a claim would affect your no-claims bonus or renewal price
• Some insurers may ask you to change your car's locks as a condition of the claim. Check your policy
• There may be conditions around how your keys were lost or stolen

Before you claim, it may help to check how your insurer would handle a key claim. Our guide on when to make a claim on your insurance may help you weigh this up. Contact your insurer to see what your options are. This is general information, not personal advice.

What our motor insurance expert says

"Replacing a keyless key can cost around £280 on average, and more for some premium models (Checkatrade, June 2026). It's worth checking whether your policy already includes key cover and what the limit and excess are so you know where you stand if you lose one. Key cover isn't right for everyone, so compare the extra cost against the likely benefit."

Matt Crole Rees Motor General Manager & Motor Insurance Expert

Frequently asked questions