Locksmithing / Key Service
All Adjusters will either have an "in-house" locksmithing service or a local source to make keys for your repossessed collateral. Cost vary for American, foreign and high security keys. Lenders have always been encouraged to demand the key codes before making a loan or lease. If the loan defaults, there is a greater chance of self-help recovery with a working key.
New high-tech locks being used in some of today's vehicles may require not only the key code to cut the shape of the key but also (in GM vats system) a resister in the key blank must be coded to the vehicle computer. In some vehicles with a transponer key (with 4.5 million combinations) it must have the vehicle's computer programmed to the key. These processes are very time consuming and expensive. To make a laser cut key requires a machine that cost $5,000.
Another expense becoming more common is for locating, overcoming or disabling security systems. Some may be overcome by tracing the wires and disconnecting. Other systems may take an expert to find the lock-out or systems that disable the electric or powerplant. These searches may be time consuming and expensive. Cost may be hard to estimate.