Choosing an Automotive Locksmith

Learn what to look for in a quality automotive locksmith

Getting locked out of your car can be a huge inconvenience. You may be in a hurry to get back on the road, but don’t succumb to the temptation to simply call the first automotive locksmith in the phone book. Instead, invest a little time in researching different companies so your can find a reliable, affordable, and honest automotive locksmith.

Local Brick & Mortar Company

The first thing you want to look for is an automotive locksmith that truly is a local, independently owned and operated company. There have been many stories in the news lately about automotive locksmiths charging outrageously high prices for unlocking services. Many of these locksmiths work for large organizations that have little oversight of their employees and apparently little interest in maintaining good customer relations. These companies are little more than a phone number and some vehicles. RBM Lock & Key, on the other hand, has had a brick & mortar store in your local area since 1973. We have a real presence in the community and your satisfaction and our reputation is important to us.

Emergency Service

If you have locked your keys in your car, lost your keys, or had a key break off in a lock, you may need immediate help. Obviously you will want to make sure that the automotive locksmith you choose offers fast and reliable emergency service whenever and wherever you need them.

Experience with a Wide Range of Vehicles

Providing unlocking services and lock repair for vehicles has gotten more complicated as technologies have advanced. Your best bet is to choose a company like RBM Lock & Key that has ample experience with a wide range of vehicles and locking mechanisms. We stock lock parts for many different cars, including European and luxury models. We are also able to replace keys with computer chips in them.

Licenses & Insurance

Check that the automotive locksmith you’re calling employs licensed locksmiths and has insurance. This will help minimize the risk of your vehicle being damaged during service, or of an inexperienced or lazy locksmith recommending an expensive solution like drilling instead of first trying other less invasive methods. If for some reason the vehicle is damaged, the locksmith’s insurance should cover it.

Fees

Finally, be sure to ask for an estimate of how much it will cost to open or repair your vehicle locks. The fee may vary based on the type of car you have and whether it is the door, trunk, glove box, or ignition lock that is the problem. However, the locksmith should still be able to give you an estimate including any emergency, travel, or service call fees.