Minute 0–15: Search Seriously
More than half of "lost" keys are actually found within 30 minutes of searching. Check: all pants and jacket pockets (front, back, interior), purses and bags, couch cushions and between seat crevices, inside the car through a window (keys locked inside is a lockout, not a lost-keys situation), washer/dryer, freezer, trash bag you're about to throw out, counter tops, and the floor where you just came in. If you were at a restaurant, gym, or business in the last hour — call them. Valet keys often end up at the podium.
Minute 15–30: Rule Out Lockout
Look through your windows. If you can see the keys inside the vehicle, this is a lockout, not a lost-key situation. A mobile automotive locksmith can unlock non-destructively for $75–$150 — no key replacement needed. Call 817-842-1256 with your location and vehicle and we dispatch in 20–40 minutes.
Minute 30–60: Do You Have a Spare?
If you have a working spare key somewhere — at home, in a family member's possession, or hidden somewhere accessible — retrieve it. Then call a locksmith to cut/program a new primary key from your spare. This is the cheapest path (spare-to-new is ~50% cheaper than all-keys-lost). If no spare exists or you can't access one, proceed to AKL.
Minute 60+: Call a Mobile Auto Locksmith (Not the Dealer)
Skip the dealer unless your vehicle is under lease/warranty that specifically requires dealer service. Call a mobile automotive locksmith with dealer-level scan tools. Share your year/make/model/location/spare-or-no-spare. Get a firm quote on the phone. Have ID and proof of ownership ready.
When to Call the Dealer Instead
Very rarely. Valid reasons: (1) your vehicle is actively under a lease that requires dealer-only service; (2) your specific model year has an uncommon security system that most mobile locksmiths can't handle (rare — call a locksmith first and ask); (3) you're filing an insurance claim that requires dealership paperwork. In most other cases, mobile is faster, cheaper, and more convenient.
If the Car Was Stolen
If the keys were stolen — not just lost — file a police report immediately, then have the locksmith delete the lost/stolen keys from the vehicle's immobilizer memory. Good locksmiths can "erase" old keys so that even if the thief finds them later, they won't start the car. This is a separate 20–40 minute job and typically adds $50–$125 to the visit.
Insurance and Roadside Coverage
Check your auto insurance and roadside program. AAA, State Farm, Allstate, USAA, and many comprehensive policies cover lockouts. Some cover key replacement after theft. Others have a specific "key-fob endorsement" add-on. We provide itemized receipts with VIN and part number for claims.