When you hire a locksmith for an emergency job or simply to switch out locks on your front door, you want a licensed and insured locksmith. It's important to know what this means and why it's so important.
What's an Insured Locksmith?
An insured locksmith carries liability insurance. This type of insurance isn't meant to just protect the locksmith, but also the client. If accidental damage happens to the property or to someone, this insurance will protect the financial aspects of the damage.
What is a Licensed Locksmith?
When a locksmith files the proper paperwork with the government, they gain a license to work as a bonded locksmith. If they don't have a license, they haven't gone through the proper training to gain a state or federal license as a locksmith.
What is a Bonded Locksmith?
While licensed and insured are very important when hiring a locksmith, so is bonded. The process of bonding is similar to insurance. Once the locksmith has paid a bonding company, they become bonded. This will add protection for clients if damage happens due to an accident.
What Could Happen if You Don't Hire the Right Locksmith?
Imagine you're leaving work and you realize you locked your keys in your car. You hop on your phone, find the nearest locksmith and call them without verifying anything.
About 45 minutes later, the locksmith arrives in an unmarked vehicle or in a poorly marked vehicle and goes to work on getting into your car. In the process, the locksmith accidentally breaks your window and never actually got into the car until the window was broken.
If this is an unlicensed and uninsured locksmith, you'll likely get a huge bill to pay the locksmith and no help with the damage caused. This is a big deal and could happen if you don't verify that your locksmith is licensed and insured.
When you hire a licensed and insured locksmith, they will have certain policies and procedures in place to ensure there is minimal risk of damage. They will show up quickly and get you into your vehicle without damaging your vehicle much faster. If an accident does happen, they have insurance to cover the damage instead of leaving you responsible for something they did.
Hiring a Licensed and Insured Locksmith
Verifying that your locksmith is licensed and insured protects you, but it will also offer plenty of benefits. Locksmiths won't go through this type of trouble without having solid skills and the ability to provide you with quality service.
Most licensed and insured locksmiths are going to be available 24/7 and will offer you quality services at an affordable price. Plus, you will know you're dealing with a professional instead of taking the chance with someone else.
When you need a locksmith, even if it's an emergency, always hire a licensed and insured locksmith. You don't want someone that cuts corners helping you get into your car or handling the locks on your home.