Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision, whether it is new or used. Cars cost a lot of money. Depending on the make, model, and year, you could pay hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. While your average person isn’t going to spend more than $80,000 on a brand-new vehicle, all car owners likely feel protective of their investments. After all, you wouldn’t let anything bad happen to your car after sinking so much money into it. Your car is an asset, so you need to know how to care for it. Part of taking responsibility for your vehicle is knowing who to call when you need services. Learn about how a car locksmith can help you and more in our guide: 

Car Locksmiths vs. Car Dealerships: Which Should You Choose? 

Many people do not realize that car locksmiths and car dealerships offer many of the same services. That means when something goes wrong, you can choose between visiting your local locksmith or driving out to your nearest car dealership. But which is better? Who can you rely on in your time of need? Believe it or not, car locksmiths are usually the superior choice. Not only do they offer most of the same services as dealerships, but they often are cheaper. If you want to save money while still getting reliable services, a car locksmith is always your best bet. 

How Much Do Car Locksmiths Cost? 

How much car locksmith services cost depends on what you need, what area you are located in, and whether or not you have called for emergency services outside of normal business hours. You can expect to pay between $50 and $300, though these are ballpark estimates. Usually, locksmiths offer free quotes when you call to inquire about their services. Take advantage of this if you are on a budget and need to compare prices between car locksmiths and dealerships. 

A car locksmith fixes a door

How Car Locksmiths Can Assist You

Okay, you know how much you can expect to pay for a car locksmith and whether or not you should choose a dealership when you run into service needs. Next, you should know exactly how a car locksmith can assist you. Here are four services you can get from a car locksmith: 

1. Car Lockout Assistance

If you are ever out and about and get locked out of your car, your first response will likely be panic. But there is no need to panic when you get locked out of your car. Car locksmiths can travel to your location and get you back inside. They use special tools to get your car door open, and there will be no damage to your paint or exterior.

2. Car Key Duplication

Have you lost one of your car keys? No problem. A car locksmith can make you a perfect duplicate, even if you have a transponder. Many car locksmiths also reprogram key fobs and transponders, a service that people often only associate with dealerships. 

3. Lock and Ignition Repair

When your locks and ignition start to fail, a car locksmith can help. If these parts of your car have failed or are malfunctioning, it’s time to call your nearest car locksmith. They can replace or repair your locks and ignition. 

4. Broken Key Extraction

Your keys are more delicate than you might think. Yes, they are made of metal, and they are durable. But eventually, wear and tear will take its toll. After a time, your keys grow more brittle. When that happens, they have the tendency to break when you unlock your car or start the ignition. Once your key has broken, there is nothing you can do by yourself. A car locksmith needs to remove it with special tools. 

We Offer Quality Car Locksmith Services!

Hopefully, you have learned a lot of valuable information about car locksmiths. Many people do not realize how helpful car locksmiths are (or that they even exist).  But now you know, and you have the information you need to determine when it’s time to call a car locksmith. If you require any of the services listed above, feel free to reach out to United Locksmith. We offer some of the best car locksmith services in the state. Contact us today to learn more about our team!