Why lost keys are different from a spare
Making a spare while you have a working key is quick. Losing every key is a bigger job, because the car has to be convinced to trust a brand-new key with no existing key present. That extra step is where the dealer and a locksmith really start to differ in time and hassle.
With no working key, the car will not start and may need to be entered first. How you get a fresh key made, and whether the car has to move, is the heart of this comparison.
The towing question
The dealer route usually means getting the car to their service department. With no key, that often turns into a tow, which adds cost and time on top of the key itself. You also wait on their schedule, which can stretch the no-start out for days.
A mobile locksmith comes to wherever the car is sitting in West Palm Beach, whether that is your driveway, a lot, or the roadside. We make and program the new key on site for most vehicles, so there is usually no tow at all. That is often the single biggest reason people call a locksmith for lost keys.
Cost, speed, and the honest exceptions
An all-keys-lost job costs more than a simple spare no matter who does it, because of the extra security steps involved. As a general rule the dealer is pricier and slower, while a locksmith tends to be faster and more affordable, and skips the tow. We give an exact quote for your year, make, and model before we start, so call us for a real figure.
We stay honest about limits. Most all-keys-lost cases are something a mobile locksmith handles, but some newer or luxury models are dealer-level by design. If yours is one of those, we will tell you up front instead of leaving you stuck.
Still have a key or fob question?
Tell us your year, make, and model and we will confirm exactly what your vehicle needs before we head out.