Why You Should Always Hire a Bonded, Licensed or Insured Locksmith?

Not all locksmiths are created equal! If you are thinking about hiring a locksmith you need to first learn a little bit about what to look for in a professional locksmith.

Bonded Locksmith: A Bonded Locksmith is one who gets bonded by paying a nominal fee to a bonding company such as the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA). There are other major organizations, besides ALOA, that offer bonding to their members as well. What happens is, after the locksmith pays the fee, the bonding company does a detailed background check on him. The locksmith is bonded only after he passes the background check. On getting bonded, the bonding company guarantees the payment of a certain amount of money to the locksmith in the event of an accident at work, besides working to repair the situation. Bonding is similar to an insurance cover that only protects the locksmith, but also his clients.

Licensed Locksmith:  A licensed locksmith will have undergone a detailed background check from federal government agencies such as the FBI who will have collected his identification details such as fingerprints, as well as his biometric data. The locksmith files the necessary paperwork with the government agencies, and will be offered a license after a detailed background check. The government ensures that any locksmith offered a license by them has no prior criminal record of any sort. This way, when you hire a licensed bonded locksmith you can be sure that you are hiring a legitimate professional.

Insured Locksmith: The insurance offered to locksmiths is similar in concept to car insurance. An insured locksmith is one who will have bought professional liability insurance from an insurance provider. The insurance protects the locksmith as well as his clients in the event of an accidental loss to property or an injury.

Why is it so important to hire a professional locksmith who is licensed, bonded or insured? In many states in the United States, there is a law that all professional locksmiths must be licensed. So if locksmiths are not licensed in these states, such as California, for example, they are in violation of law.

Even in states where it is not mandatory for a professional locksmith to be licensed, you should always hire one with proper licenses and insurance cover. This is so because almost all experienced locksmiths, who are truly serious about their job, are licensed, bonded and insured.

It is only non-serious amateurs, who are in the profession only to make a quick buck, and really have no experience or training of any sort, and are only equipped with a cursory knowledge of locks and security systems who lack a professional locksmith’s license.  You should be very careful about such individuals, and you cannot trust them, for obvious reasons. Look for a certified locksmith.

Always ask a professional locksmith if he has the adequate licenses or insurance before you allow him to work on your locks. Be sure to conduct your own background checks as well by searching for locksmith license information online. You should be very careful while hiring a locksmith as the safety of your family and property depends on it.

So, do the right thing and always hire a licensed locksmith – never make a compromise on this. A licensed locksmith is a legitimate professional who can be trusted by you. He can be trusted with your locks, security systems and safes and vaults. This way, you’ll have nothing to worry about.