Published March 19, 2026 · 4 min read
Why You Should Get a Spare Car Key Before You Need One
The cheapest insurance against the worst-case car key emergency is a spare made today.
The math
A spare typically costs $80–$300. A future all-keys-lost job typically runs $250–$700+ — and you may also lose half a day of work, plus a tow if you go to the dealer.
When to get one
Right now, while you have a working key. It takes 20–45 minutes for most vehicles.