A customer called us last month from a coffee shop on Victory Boulevard near Woodman Avenue. Someone grabbed her purse while she was in line, and just like that — car keys, house keys, mailbox key, all of it gone. She was standing on the sidewalk with her locked car in the parking lot and no way to get home.
We hear stories like this more often than you’d think. Coffee shops, restaurants along Van Nuys Boulevard, even the benches near the Van Nuys Civic Center — theft happens fast. So we put together answers to the questions people actually ask us when they’re dealing with .
What Does “All Keys Lost” Actually Mean for a Locksmith?
All keys lost means there’s not a single working key left for your lock or vehicle. This is different from needing a duplicate or a spare. When every key is gone, the locksmith has to start from scratch — originate a new key by reading the lock or, in the case of a car, pulling key codes and programming a brand-new transponder or smart key to the vehicle’s computer.
It takes more time and specialized equipment compared to a simple copy. That’s why it costs more, and why not every locksmith can handle it. We carry the programming tools on our vans, so we do this work right in your driveway or wherever your car is parked — no towing needed.
How Much Does an All Keys Lost Service Cost in Van Nuys?
Pricing depends almost entirely on what you drive. Here’s a rough breakdown based on what we typically charge in the Van Nuys area:
- Basic transponder keys (Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, older models): $150–$250
- Standard push-to-start fobs (Hyundai Tucson, Nissan Rogue): $250–$400
- Higher-security vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, newer Toyota with smart key): $350–$600+
For house locks, a rekey after all keys lost usually runs $75–$150 depending on how many locks you need done. If someone stole your keys and knows where you live, rekeying is not optional — it’s the first thing you should do.
Someone Stole My Keys — Should I Rekey My House or Replace the Locks?
If the thief also got your ID or anything with your address on it, you need to act fast. A rekey changes the pins inside your existing locks so the stolen keys won’t work anymore. It’s quicker and cheaper than replacing the whole lock hardware. Most homes in neighborhoods like Lake Balboa, Valley Glen, or around Sherman Way can be fully rekeyed in under an hour.
Full lock replacement makes sense if your hardware is old or damaged, or if you want to upgrade to smart locks or higher-security deadbolts. But for an emergency situation where you just need to make those stolen keys useless? Rekeying is the move.
How Fast Can a Locksmith Get to Me in Van Nuys?
We’re based in the LA area and run mobile units through Van Nuys daily. Average arrival time is 20–30 minutes depending on traffic and where exactly you are. If you’re near the 405 and Sherman Way, that’s a quick route for us. Further into the residential streets south of Vanowen, maybe a few minutes more.
We operate 24/7, so even if your keys get stolen at 11 PM outside a restaurant on Sepulveda, we’ll send someone out. Our Van Nuys locksmith services cover the full area from Roscoe Boulevard down to Burbank Boulevard.
Can You Make a New Car Key Without the Original?
Yes — that’s exactly what all keys lost service is. We don’t need your old key. For most vehicles, we can pull the key code from the lock or through the OBD port, cut a new mechanical key, and program the transponder chip or key fob programming in Van Nuys right at your location.
What we do need: proof that the vehicle is yours. Bring your registration, title, or a valid ID matching the VIN. We check this every single time — no exceptions. It protects you and it protects us.
What Should I Do Right After My Keys Are Stolen?
Here’s the order we recommend, based on years of handling these calls across Van Nuys:
- File a police report. You can do this at the Van Nuys Community Police Station on Sylmar Avenue. Even if they can’t recover your keys, the report documents the theft for insurance purposes.
- Call a locksmith for your car. Get a new key made and the stolen one deleted from your car’s system so it can’t be used to start your vehicle.
- Get your house rekeyed. If your address was in that stolen purse or wallet, this is urgent. Don’t wait until tomorrow.
- Check for spare fobs or keys. If you have a spare at home, great — but still get the stolen key deactivated from the car’s computer.
Losing every key you own is stressful, but it’s a problem with a clear solution. We handle all keys lost calls in Van Nuys every week, and most jobs are wrapped up within an hour on-site.
If you’re dealing with this right now — or you want to be prepared before it happens — give the Locksmith HQ Team a call at (818) 398-9391. We’ll walk you through your options and get someone to you quickly.
