If you’ve locked yourself out of your car, the first thing you’ll probably want to know is how much a locksmith will charge you. While it’s possible to open a locked car yourself, a reliable locksmith will have to replace your door locks and ignition keys. An experienced locksmith may charge anywhere from $50 to $150 to open your door or rekey your car. While the cost may seem high, many roadside assistance programs cover the locksmith fees, and some insurance policies will even pay the cost of rekeying a vehicle.
If you’re stranded in the middle of the night, you should call a 24 hour emergency service for help. A 24-hour emergency locksmith may charge double the standard price for their services. Depending on the hour and the type of service, you may be able to find cheaper service for the same job. However, if your car has a security system, a good locksmith will cost about $100 to $200.
If you’re not sure how much a locksmith charges, ask a friend to help you call a few different locksmiths and put in their number. Ask about their background checks and experience. Make sure you explain what exactly your car needs, so you can be sure the locksmith you call is the right one. Asking questions can prevent any miscommunication, so be sure to ask the right questions. Ask about the number of years they’ve been in business, and check that they’re insured and bonded.
Once you have the number of locksmiths, the next step is to determine which one is the most convenient. Oftentimes, roadside assistance plans have a list of pre-approved locksmiths for emergencies. Once you’ve chosen a locksmith, you’ll want to ask the locksmith about their pricing for car key extraction. You may even be able to get a free replacement key. This will help you get back on your feet.
When it comes to car keys, a locksmith will need to program them to work with your car. A professional locksmith will be able to program the new key to match the vehicle’s key system. A trustable locksmith can also repair broken ignition switches. By answering these questions beforehand, you can ensure that you’ll be getting a quality locksmith and not paying more than is necessary. Also, a locksmith should be licensed in your state.
The average price for rekeying a car door or ignition is between $60 and $125. Depending on the lock’s complexity, it may require more than changing the pins. A locksmith is much more complex than changing the pins and will require a more expensive service than a simple lock change. If the ignition of your car has a chip inside it, you might want to rekey the lock as well.
Many newer vehicles have more advanced security systems. A car locksmith can reprogram a keyless remote or VATS passcode detector to provide you with an additional layer of security. And of course, the most common question is how much does a locksmith cost for your car? In addition to the standard lock repair, a locksmith will also perform car key programming. Whether you need to replace a broken key or duplicate a lost one, a locksmith will have the tools to get the job done properly and safely.