If you’ve ever been locked out of your car, you know how frustrating it can feel when you realize your situation. Whether your keys were stolen or left sitting on the seat of a locked vehicle, a professional locksmith can help. Below are just a few reasons you should always call an expert to help you out.

Locked Out of Your Car? Here’s Why You Should Call a Locksmith

1. Avoid Damage

If you try to open your car by picking the lock or breaking the window, you’re going to end up with costly damage. For instance, creating tools out of coat hangers will scratch paint and can damage your locking mechanism. When it comes time to fix this damage, your insurance won’t cover it. That means you’ll be paying higher costs for repairs than you would for a locksmith.

2. Avoid Arrest

Attempting to break into your vehicle always looks suspicious, particularly because passers-by have no way of knowing whether it’s yours. You may find yourself in trouble with the authorities—or even arrested—if you attempt to break into any car, even one that belongs to you. Professionals, however, have the tools and the licenses to open a vehicle legally and avoid this trouble.

3. Prevent Theft

If your keys were stolen, you might feel a sense of apprehension in knowing that someone else has access to your property. Even if you drive the vehicle away from its current location, a thief could easily follow and use the key to later steal your car. Thankfully, a locksmith can do more than just open it for you—they can also rekey the lock so that the old one no longer works.