How Much Does A Locksmith Charge To Unlock A Car?

Getting your car keys locked in the trunk or inside your car can be a stressful experience, especially if you have an important event to attend. In these cases, frantic thoughts of what to do and how to get the door unlocked come rushing through our minds; usually, a locksmith is a go-to answer. But before calling one up ask yourself, “How much does the charge to unlock my car?” Knowing roughly what you will be expected to pay upfront helps give you peace of mind that nothing unexpected will pop up during your already trying situation. After all, you don’t want any extra surprises when you’re already paying for services rendered! Read on for more information about common locksmith charges so that you can plan financially and act quickly with no fear of getting scammed out of lots of money.

How Much Does A Locksmith Cost To Unlock A Car?

If you’ve ever experienced the unexpected situation of being locked out of your car, you know how inconvenient and costly it can be. If a roadside assistant isn’t available and you need to hire a locksmith to open the door lock or provide you with a spare key, several factors will affect the cost, such as what time of day it is and the make/model of your car.

Generally, these services can range from $75 to $300; however, emergency services could lead to an even higher charge. In some cases, if the locksmith needs to rekey or replace a lock there may be additional fees associated. Thankfully, if roadside assistance is available through your vehicle coverage, this service often comes at no extra cost.

Locksmith Services And Average Costs

Here’s a breakdown of the typical services you can expect from a locksmith, along with the average cost for each:

Unlock The Car Door/Normal Business Hours

Getting locked out of your car can be quite stressful, especially if you can’t find a spare key nearby. Fortunately, the best time to do this is during a locksmith’s normal business hours as there won’t be any extra fees. Depending on factors like the locksmith’s distance from you and the difficulty of unlocking the car doors, a locksmith can charge anywhere from $75 to $150 for a car lockout. You should always call a reliable local qualified professional to help you get back into your locked vehicle and recover your car key.

Unlock The Car Door/After Hours

Being locked out of your locked car is one of the biggest inconveniences, especially when it happens late at night or on a weekend. If you find yourself in this bind, it’s important to know your options. You can reach out to a locksmith who may charge a flat fee for their after-hours service, or you could search for a service provider who doubles their pricing. It’s also valuable to check if your auto insurance policy covers locked keys; many policies include this coverage as an extra perk. Being aware of all potential solutions available can help to protect against spending too much due to the lockout situations.

Rekey The Car

If you’ve lost the car key completely, don’t panic! Depending on the car model and type of car door lock, usually, an auto locksmith can get you back into your car with a new key cut and programmed. This cost could be as low as $50, however, it could also climb up to $300 depending on if there are transponder components that require a special programming tool. If the key is broken or stuck inside the car door lock, oftentimes auto locksmiths have techniques they can use to get it working again or to pull out any remains of the key.

Replace Locks

It can be quite a surprise to find out the cost of having new locks put on your car. In fact, if you need key breaks or programming with a transponder tool, the cost could range anywhere from $200 to $600! Yet it’s worth considering investing in peace of mind; if someone has keys to the vehicle that causes you concern, putting new locks on is always a good idea. If you own luxury cars and have expensive modifications, there is no price for true security. Furthermore, it may be beneficial to check and see if roadside assistance plans cover this type of expense – often they do and might save you money over time.

Rekey Ignition

If your car’s ignition wears out and needs to be rekeyed, you may think that it has to be serviced by an expensive dealership. But did you know that a locksmith can do the job just as efficiently and cost-effectively? Using a locksmith to service your ignition will usually cost between $50-$20, substantially cheaper than the dealership. Plus, you can rest assured that the same level of expertise is being provided. So don’t forget to consider all your options when servicing your vehicle–ensuring your wallet stays fat!

Put On New Keypad

If your car’s ignition wears out and needs to be rekeyed, you may think that it has to be serviced by an expensive dealership. But did you know that a locksmith can do the job just as efficiently and cost-effectively? Using a locksmith to service your ignition will usually cost between $50-$20, substantially cheaper than the dealership. Plus, you can rest assured that the same level of expertise is being provided. So don’t forget to consider all your options when servicing your vehicle–ensuring your wallet stays fat!

Cut New Keys

Losing your keys can be a stressful experience. It can sometimes even lead to panic if you’re in a rush to get somewhere. Fortunately, having new keys can be fairly easy and inexpensive at times. If your car uses traditional car keys, replacement costs are usually only in the range of $5 to $25, providing a swift and easy solution. On the other hand, modern cars usually use transponder keys with chips that tend to be considerably more expensive, averaging nearer $50 and up! Shopping around for these sorts of key replacements is usually possible if you want to keep costs down.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the amount you can expect to pay for a locksmith to unlock your car varies significantly. Factors like the type of lock, locksmith experience and reputation, the complexity of service, and geographic area all contribute to the final cost. To avoid being overcharged or underpaid, it’s important to do your research before committing to any one locksmith. Ask family and friends for advice or read online reviews. Check out any Better Business Bureau affiliations they may have had as well. Be sure to become as informed as possible beforehand so that you can make an educated decision on who will best suit your needs. All in all, unlocking a car doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavor if you choose wisely and know exactly what the job entails.