Automotive · Kenner, LA
All Keys Lost — Car Key Made From VIN
No working key? We cut a new one to code and program it on site. No tow to the dealership.
All keys lost in Kenner is $225 to $695, cut from the VIN and programmed on site. Usually 45 to 75 minutes. Bring photo ID plus title, registration or insurance card. We delete the lost key from the vehicle memory so whoever finds it cannot start the car.
All keys lost means no working key exists for the vehicle. A new key is cut from the vehicle identification number and programmed to the immobiliser at the car, so no tow to a dealership is needed. Proof of ownership and photo identification are required.
What actually happens
- We open the door without damage. Air wedge and long-reach tool, no coat hangers.
- We verify the vehicle is yours. Photo ID against registration or title, or your insurance card. If the paperwork is inside the car, we look after we open the door.
- We cut the emergency blade to code. The VIN gives us the manufacturer’s key code, and we cut a blade to that — not by tracing an original, because there isn’t one.
- We pair the new key to the immobiliser. Scan tool on the OBD-II port. Some manufacturers make you wait 10 to 20 minutes — the car has to sit in a specific state before it will accept the pairing.
- We delete the lost key from memory. This is the step most operators skip. Kenner has a high vehicle theft rate. Whoever finds your old key should not be able to start your car with it.
- We hand you the new key and an itemised invoice. Warranty on the labour, manufacturer warranty on the fob.
Prices
All keys lost prices
| Key type | Price on-site | Dealer equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Basic mechanical (older cars) | $95–$185 | $120–$250 |
| Transponder key | $225–$395 | $300–$500 |
| Switchblade / flip fob | $275–$445 | $350–$550 |
| Push-to-start smart key | $325–$595 | $450–$700 + tow |
| Second key on the same visit | $75–$150 additional | — |
Prices shown are typical ranges. Your total is confirmed on the phone before we dispatch — and if the specific lock, vehicle or job is unusual we tell you the number before we come out. No surprise fees.
Independent reference: platform data on 105 completed car key replacement jobs in Metairie put the local average at $140 to $201 with the full range $47 to $333. Ten minutes from us. All-keys-lost sits at the upper end of that range because there is no key to copy.
Questions
All keys lost questions
My only car key is lost. Can you help?
Yes. That is an all-keys-lost job. We cut a new key from your vehicle’s VIN and program it to the immobiliser on site. $225 to $695 depending on the vehicle. Usually 45 to 75 minutes.
Why is it more expensive than a spare key?
With a working key, we clone what the car already trusts. With none, we originate a brand new key and introduce it to the immobiliser from scratch. Different equipment, more time, higher parts cost.
Do I need to be at the car?
Yes, and you need to prove it is yours — photo ID plus title, registration or insurance card. If the paperwork is inside the car we can open the door and verify after.
Can you delete the lost key so nobody else can start the car?
Yes, and we do it as standard. Kenner has one of the higher vehicle theft rates in the country, around a 1-in-372 chance per household per year. Deleting the lost key from the immobiliser memory means whoever finds it cannot start the car. Not every operator does this step — ask.
Is a locksmith cheaper than a dealer for this?
Usually by $200 to $400. Dealers charge $300 to $600 for all-keys-lost and want the car brought to them, which means a tow if you have nothing to drive with. We come to the vehicle.
How long does it take?
45 to 75 minutes typically. Some manufacturers add a security wait period — the vehicle has to sit in a specific state for 10 to 20 minutes before the pairing completes.
Do you cut two keys or one?
One as standard. A second key on the same visit is much cheaper than coming back — $75 to $150 for the spare depending on the key type. Worth doing so you never end up here again.
No key, no tow, no dealer
Tell us the year, make and model. We come to you.