In Brief
The summer season sees a noticeable spike in requests for car key copies, primarily between June and September. This behavior stems as much from vacation planning as from the mishaps that can occur on seasonal travel—such as losing, stealing, or damaging keys. Getting a duplicate made becomes another precaution, on par with an oil change or a tire check, to ensure peace of mind during summer trips. The simplification of processes through digital services like SecurKeys also reinforces this instinct. Anticipating a duplicate proves to be less costly than dealing with a vehicle immobilization while on vacation.
According to data provided by SecurKeys, most orders for car keys and electronic ignition cards are placed between June and September. This trend can be attributed to both vacations and the returns, as people head out and come back from their trips.
Before Vacation, No One Wants to Leave with Just One Key
Summer remains the season for long drives. Hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of miles with a loaded trunk, hotel stops, vacation rentals, or frequent beach breaks. As departure approaches, many drivers discover they only have one key or start-card left. The other has been lost, broken, or never replaced.
Heading out under these conditions poses a significant risk. If that sole key goes missing during the trip, the vehicle can become entirely unusable, with towing and replacement costs that can quickly reach several hundred dollars. That’s why many choose to plan ahead by ordering a spare before departure.
Like a Oil Change or Tires, the Spare Key Becomes a Pre-Summer Check
Each year, June and July are traditionally the busiest months for auto maintenance networks. Oil changes, brake checks, tire replacements, air conditioning checks, and battery recharges are common pre-summer tune-ups as drivers prepare for the big summer journeys.
The spare key now tends to join this list of nearly essential inspections. Unlike older mechanical keys, handheld cards, and electronic remotes are expensive to replace and can take time, making the spare key an increasingly practical precaution.
After the Vacation, the Second Peak
The trend doesn’t end when summer does. The return to work marks a second peak for key-copy requests. The reasons are numerous:
- Key lost on a beach;
- Car card dropped into seawater;
- Bag containing the keys stolen;
- Key damaged during vacation;
- Only spare duplicate misplaced during a trip.
Once work routines resume, many motorists want to quickly secure a second copy to avoid repeating the misfortune.
A Simplified Order Process to Dodge Delays
Confronted with strong seasonality, the free app SecurKeys now offers fully digital solutions that let you order a spare without extra trips. The goal is twofold: to shorten wait times and to prevent spending weeks with only one key.
A Cost That Can Avert a Very Bad Surprise
Getting a spare key redone isn’t usually the first expense people think of before a vacation. Yet it’s arguably one of the most reassuring purchases. Losing a key far from home can quickly ruin a trip, leaving the car immobilized for days and incurring costs far higher than the price of a duplicate alone.
That’s likely why more than half of spare-key orders today cluster in June through September. Just as with tires, maintenance, or fluid checks, having a second key is becoming a standard part of prepping for major getaways… and a way to prevent vacations from ending in a tow yard rather than by the sea.
The Essentials to Remember
- The majority of car-key duplicates are made between June and September, coinciding with vacation departures and returns.
- Drivers proactively address the risks of losing or having a key stolen during long summertime trips.
- Losing the only car key during vacation can cost several hundred dollars and immobilize the vehicle.
- Getting a spare key duplicates has become a norm, on par with pre-vacation inspections.
- Digitally enabled services like SecurKeys streamline and speed up ordering keys or electronic cards.
- A spare key offers reassuring protection to prevent key issues from spoiling a vacation.
FAQ
Why do so many drivers replace their key during the summer?
Most spare-key copies are ordered before vacation to avoid any risk of loss or failure on lengthy trips.
What are the risks of leaving with only one car key?
Losing the sole key during vacation can immobilize the car for days and lead to high towing and replacement costs.
What problems are most common after summer?
After summer, many drivers request a duplicate due to loss, theft, or damage to a key during their vacation.
How can you avoid delays in getting a spare key?
Digital solutions, like the SecurKeys app, enable faster ordering of a duplicate without unnecessary trips.
Is a spare key part of essential summer prep?
Yes—it’s now considered part of pre-trip checks alongside oil changes and tire maintenance to gear up a car for major summer getaways.
