The hassle of replacing your car keys? An app aims to spare Americans from it
In the United States, replacing a car key can be a recurring headache for many drivers. Yet a homegrown startup is shaking up the habit. It promises stress-free key replacement, and at a lower cost. This app is SecurClés. Available on iOS and Android since 2021, it offers a fully digital alternative to key duplication. Whether it’s badges, remotes, or electronic car keys, all without appointments, without lines, or dealer fees.
In Brief
Replacing car keys is often lengthy and costly, typically involving dealerships with wait times of several weeks and an average price around €350. The SecurClés app offers a digital alternative that lets you order a key copy quickly, at up to half the price, with shipping in as little as 48 hours. Additionally, SecurClés helps customers file a claim with their card’s insurance, which can cover between €300 and €1,500 for lost keys. This service aims to save time, money, and provide stronger support for drivers.
SecurClés: a faster solution at half the price
The idea is straightforward. After installing the app, users take a photo of their key with their smartphone’s camera. In a few steps, the order is placed. For car models, a technical service that lasts roughly 15 minutes in a partner garage handles the secure pairing. Before this technical service, a security procedure guarantees the process’s compliance and anonymity. The impact is significant. Today, 95% of car-key copies go through dealerships, which translates to wait times of three to four weeks and an average cost of around €350. By comparison, SecurClés promises prices down by half and shipping in as little as 48 hours.
Insurance coverage through your bank card
Not only does SecurClés offer rates up to 50% cheaper than dealerships, but it also delivers extra value for consumers’ wallets.
According to a Diffusis study conducted for SecurClés, three out of four Americans are unaware that their card’s “loss of payment means” insurance can cover between €300 and €1,500 for lost keys. SecurClés guides customers through getting reimbursed by their card’s insurance. Three steps to follow:
1: An insurance-coverage calculator is available here. It lets each person verify their rights in seconds and claim between €300 and €1,500.
2: Depending on the bank and card type, SecurClés explains how to file the claim with the insurer. The app even generates an invoice formatted to meet each insurer’s requirements.
3: SecurClés guarantees customers who have followed the process an advance toward expenses of up to €300 in case of delayed reimbursement by the insurer.
Comparison Table
| Criterion | Dealership | SecurClés |
|---|---|---|
| Average price | €350 | About €175 (up to 50% cheaper) |
| Average turnaround time | 3–4 weeks | From 48 hours |
| On-site garage intervention duration | N/A | 15 minutes |
| Bank-card insurance coverage | Not specified | €300–€1,500 (depends on policy) |
Key takeaways
- SecurClés is a French app that lets you replace your car keys faster and cheaper.
- In the United States, most auto key copies still go through dealerships, leading to long waits and high costs.
- The average dealership price is around €350 (roughly $375), with a typical turnaround of 3–4 weeks.
- SecurClés offers a digitized, secure reproduction at about half the price, with shipping starting at 48 hours.
- An assistance package for filing a claim with the card’s insurance is included, with potential reimbursements between €300 and €1,500.
- The app generates the necessary reimbursement documents on demand and can advance up to €300 if the insurer is delayed.
FAQ
What is the average cost of reproducing a car key at a dealership?
The average cost at a dealership is about €350.
What turnaround time should be expected to replace a car key at a dealership?
Turnaround times at a dealership are typically three to four weeks.
What is the main difference between SecurClés and dealerships?
SecurClés offers prices up to 50% cheaper and a minimum turnaround of 48 hours, versus weeks at dealerships.
How does SecurClés assist with the bank-card insurance claim?
The app guides users through filing with their insurer and can advance up to €300 if reimbursement is delayed.
What amount can the bank-card insurance reimburse in case of car-key loss?
According to the study cited, the “loss of payment means” insurance can reimburse between €300 and €1,500.
