Yes, having a spare key on hand is more beneficial than you might think. Here are a few reasons why you should consider having one made, and how a professional locksmith can help.

1. Emergency Situations

First, there is the most obvious reason. Whether you’re running late for an important meeting or rushing a loved one to the hospital, realizing you’ve misplaced your car key in an urgent situation is not good. In moments like this, having a spare key readily accessible can save your day. You can always look for your regular key after you’ve addressed the situation. From locking your keys inside the car to losing them completely, and being stranded while you’re away from home, a spare key or professional locksmith can help you in extenuating circumstances.

2. Avoiding Lockouts

Locking your keys in your car can needlessly create very real problems. Not only is it frustrating, but it can cause a major inconvenience as well. This is especially true if you’re in a remote area or dealing with unfavorable weather conditions. However, having a spare key tucked away safely lets you regain access to your vehicle even when you’ve locked the keys inside. Without a spare key in this instance, you’ll need to shell out for emergency services, and potentially wait a while until help arrives.

3. Peace of Mind

Knowing that you have a spare key handy in case of an emergency adds a layer of calm to your otherwise busy day. You can gain a sense of security, and peace of mind, especially if you’re traveling with family members you feel obligated to protect (like children and the elderly). You likely have a backup plan at home in case of a fire, right? The same concept applies to key-related emergencies, as spare keys alleviate unnecessary stress, and worry. It’s a simple precaution, but one that can make a world of difference as you deal with unforeseen circumstances while on the road.

4. Cost Savings

A spare key is a small expense in the grand scheme of things. Still, some are hesitant to make this investment, or view it as unnecessary. But it’s a small price to pay compared to the potential costs associated with losing or damaging your primary keys. As technology improves, modern car keys (especially programmable keys or fobs) are getting more expensive to replace, which can dwarf the cost of a spare key. It’s also possible replacing your main keys will involve specialized equipment and programming, which will up the cost as well. 

5. Convenient Sharing

If you want to loan a car to a family member or trusted friend, it takes more trust if you only have one set of car keys on hand. With a spare key readily available, it’s easier and more convenient to loan out your spare key, whether for carpooling, running errands or a short trip. Having multiple keys also means you don’t have to worry as much about handovers or scheduling conflicts, giving you extra flexibility, and accessibility. 

6. Preventing Wear and Tear

One overlooked reason is the fact that your key wears down over time. So the more you use your regular key, the higher the likelihood will be of that key breaking or malfunctioning. A spare key can help here if you rotate between your spare, and regular keys from time to time, maximizing the lifespan of both. Distributing the usage more evenly will go a long way to maintaining the functionality of your car’s locking system.

7. Preparedness

Last, but not least, spare keys can help you respond to certain situations faster and easier. With events like natural disasters or local emergencies, time is of the essence, and a spare key will help you quickly evacuate or access supplies stored in your vehicle. Whether a storm is approaching and you can’t find your primary keys or you want to go straight to where you know your spare key is stored, just having the option means that you are ready to respond swiftly to unforeseen emergencies.

These are just a few reasons you might need a spare key for your car. However, instead of heading to the dealership or closest kiosk to get one made, we recommend going with a professional partner you can trust, like A-1 Locksmith. Contact us today or visit one of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations to get your spare key made, view options or ask any questions you may have.

Also, did you know that going to a locksmith instead of a car dealership to duplicate your car keys is more affordable? We’ll cover this reason and three others you should choose a locksmith for auto key duplication in this blog post.

1. It’s More Affordable

For starters, every service at a dealership is typically more expensive than if you went somewhere else. This makes sense in a way, as the dealer handles components directly from car brands, and wants to protect the value of its brand, and the cars it sells. But you don’t need to pay Ferrari prices for a Honda-level need. An auto locksmith can duplicate keys of any kind, and give you a cheaper option that saves you money.

2. There Are More Options

Speaking of options, you don’t have to stick with the same key when you choose a locksmith for auto key duplication. A dealer might not give you any choice in the matter, but an auto locksmith will give you the option to upgrade to a high-security key, key fob or another type of car key. You can even make an extra spare key, if you so desire. 

3. It Can Be Faster

It’s often also more convenient and faster to choose a locksmith instead of a dealer for auto key duplication. Not only can a locksmith travel to your location if you need a key duplicated, they can help if you’re locked out of your vehicle, and get you back on the road faster. At a dealership, you might have to wait for other customers, and it usually takes much longer.

4. There’s More Peace of Mind

When it comes to car keys, you can expect the same level of quality from a locksmith that you would from a dealership. In fact, you might experience more peace of mind, as a locksmith lives, and breathes security, whereas a dealer focuses on all aspects of vehicle buying, selling and maintenance. You can trust that the key you’re getting from a locksmith will be of high quality.
These are just a few reasons to choose a locksmith for auto key duplication. If you need a key duplicated for your vehicle, give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today at (972) 284-7500.