Call it human nature or fate, but it is an immutable fact of life that, at some time, nearly everyone has been locked out of their car. In most cases, one of the first things people in situations like this think of is to call a locksmith. It is only natural, however, to wonder how much it costs to unlock a car.
The straightforward answer to this question is there is no straightforward answer. It is rather convoluted, in fact, because there are so many factors involved. You could get started by checking out Texas Premier Locksmith. In the meantime, keep reading for some ideas.
Lots of Causes and Costs
There are many reasons that people get locked out of their cars. For this reason, there are many different ways for the problem to be rectified, each with their own processes and tools. Also, different problems take different amounts of time to fix, hence being more expensive. This is an overview of lockout types and the costs associated with them.
Keys Locked in the Trunk
Locking the keys in the trunk is a common occurrence, but it’s not the end of the world. In fact, this can be an easy remedy, especially if your car doors are open. This is because some cars have what is called a deadlock, which makes things more difficult. A deadlock makes it hard to get into the trunk from the cab. Without a deadlock, a locksmith can access the trunk and rescue your keys.
Broken Car Keys
Broken car keys are another common occurrence for car owners. The best way to remedy this is with a spare key, but without this a locksmith will need to make another. It is important to remember that if you do break your key, don’t continue to try to use it. This might damage the lock. If you have a spare inside the car, a locksmith has tools that they can use to gain access and make another key. If not, and they must make a key from scratch, it becomes more expensive.
Transponder Problems
Transponders are the newest and most convenient way to open a car. Unfortunately, they have also opened a new layer of issues when there is a problem. Transponders rely on a communications link between chips to operate, which is another layer of security that a locksmith must work with. If the transponder isn’t working because of a dead battery, it’s an easy fix. On the other hand, if a transponder isn’t working because of a programming fail or other issue, it will be more complicated.
How Much To Unlock a Car?
By now it’s easy to understand that the cost of a locksmith opening a car can vary widely. Making matters more complicated, there are basic costs associated with contacting the locksmith, which begins with a service call.
A basic service call will cost about $15. From there, car lockouts begin at $35, increasing according to the complexity of the problem and other factors. This brings the base up to $50.
If you are locked out and have no spare key, the locksmith will need to make one, which can cost $170. A lockout with a broken key, which includes extraction of the key will cost $65. With the service call, this can cost starting at $115.
How much does it cost to access a locked car? There is no definitive answer. Fortunately, by understanding the information above you will gain a better appreciation for the service a locksmith provides as well as the price tag.
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