A Guide to Find Automotive Locksmith Services Near You

You’ll need an automobile locksmith when you accidentally leave the keys inside your car and now are locked out or if the keys break inside the ignition switch and you aren’t able to start your vehicle.

By doing a simple Google search for automobile locksmith services, you’re going to come across dozens of results. So how do you select the right service for your car? In this article, learn about some of the things you need to look for before hiring an automobile locksmith.

The Type of Car Keys They Service

The first thing you should look at is the type of car key servicing the locksmith offers. There are different types of car keys. Those are:

Mechanically-cut keys

These are traditional keys made from metal with little to no security features. You won’t find them in modern cars and are limited to older car models. Most automotive locksmith services can handle such keys and require minimum effort.

Laser-cut keys

The laser-cut keys are an upgrade to the mechanically-cut keys. Laser processing offers more precision. Furthermore, it allows for curving out articulate grooves on either side of the keys, thus provides more security. So if you have laser-cut keys, you should seek a locksmith service provider that deals with such keys.

Fobik keys

Fobik keys or smart remote keys are the most specialized keys. They employ RFID sensors that activate the engine ignition and unlock the doors at the same time. Depending on the car model and the keys, they can offer much more functionalities.

Before selecting a service provider, ensure if they work with the key type you have.

Communicate the Problem You Have

The next thing you need to check is if they serve the exact problem you have. Do you need to unlock a locked car? Or you have keys broken inside a car ignition and want to get the broken pieces removed?

The automotive locksmith service provider might not be offering what you need. Moreover, work with an expert.

You should get into the intricate details. Do you have electrical keys that are attached to a fob? It would require a specialized skill set to create a new set of keys.

Look at the Ratings and Review

When you search for an automotive locksmith in your area, you’ll be served up with multiple results. If they all offer the same or similar services, look at the ratings. You can find the reviews and ratings on the Google panel itself. People who have availed of their services often leave a rating and review to help others like them. Work with a service provider who has high-enough ratings (like 3.5 out of 5).

Ask for Cost and Time Estimate

The final thing you should look for is how soon they can fix the problem and the price they’re going to charge for it. If you’re in a hurry, then you’d work with the one that offers the fastest turnaround. If not, then you can negotiate on the cost. Either way, you should work with what’s convenient for you.

It takes somewhere around 1-2 hours to create a duplicate key. And 30 minutes to an hour to unlock a locked car. So, have realistic expectations when dealing with automotive locksmith services.