Who to call when keys locked in car? Don’t panic, and don’t resort to breaking in. You have many options for getting into your car when your keys are locked inside, including a locksmith, tow service, your dealer, a family member with a spare key, or even roadside assistance through your insurer.

It’s inconvenient, but it’s not the end of the world. With a little patience and poise, you can get into your locked car without smashing a window.

Check All Doors and Windows

There are a lot of reasons you may be locked out of your car. Absentmindedness, keys falling out of your purse or pocket as you exit the vehicle, and even malfunctioning locks could leave you without a way to get back into your car.

Before you do anything else, check every door. If one door is not locked, your problem is solved. If not, you may have a faulty lock on one of the doors that will allow you to gain access.

If you left one of your windows open a bit, you may be able to stick something through the opening to push the unlock button located on the inside panel of a door. Be sure to check the sunroof, as well. If your car is locked and running, try to push a window button to get easier access if it’s more conveniently located than the unlock button.

Who To Call When Keys Locked in Car?

Many modern vehicles are built with automatic safety features that keep you from locking your keys in the car. Some have services like OnStar that can open the car remotely. The problem is that many of us are still driving older models and do not yet have these luxuries.

Call a Friend or Family Member for the Spare Key

“My first tip is that you have a spare key for the car,” says Lowe. “Keep it on you in your purse or wallet, away from the other set of keys, or give it to someone you trust that you can call if you cannot get to your keys.”

Ideally, make more than one set of keys to hand to various friends who live in your area. If one person isn’t available, another might be.

Call Emergency Roadside Assistance

“Before calling a locksmith, calling emergency road/car services may actually be cheaper,” says Lowe. “They can usually help with problems like this, and if you already have this service on your insurance, it is saving you money.”

If you’re a member of AAA, they will send a technician to unlock the car. If the job is more complex, AAA will locate and send the nearest locksmith or arrange for a tow truck.

Call the Dealership

If roadside assistance is included in your vehicle warranty, you’re in luck. The dealership can arrange for a locksmith to assist you. Roadside assistance is often for a limited period only, so check the terms of your warranty to see when this benefit expires.

Another way the dealership may be able to assist is in locating a spare key or unlocking the vehicle via remote access. For example, if you drive a General Motors car (Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, or Cadillac), the dealer can unlock the doors remotely via GM’s OnStar emergency service using your verification PIN.

Call a Locksmith

A fast way to get back into your car is to call a locksmith. A locksmith that’s nearby can arrive within 15 to 30 minutes and have your door unlocked in less than 10 minutes. You’ll be on the road in less than an hour. Lowe recommends checking online reviews or asking a friend for recommendations to find a reliable technician.

“A locksmith would be cheaper than a rekey and it can be done almost instantly for the right price,” says Lowe. “If you need your car that day, this is the best option.”

The average cost of a car lockout is between $60 and $120. Rekeying costs $75 to $180. If you’ve lost your key, replacing the key costs between $70 and $250. Locksmith costs will vary depending on the car’s features, such as a transponder key or additional security features.

A professional locksmith will respond to your call promptly. In addition, they will have the tools to get into your car quickly and without damaging it. They may even be able to perform key cutting and programming on site.

Call the Police

If you’re stranded at night or in a remote area and feel unsafe, can call the police. This should be a last resort if you find yourself in a dangerous or life-threatening situation. The police will come to your aid, but remember, unlocking a car door is less of a priority than more serious incidents they need to respond to.

Will the police unlock your car for free? Being locked out of your car can be a valid reason to call the police. However, they may not be able or allowed to unlock your car unless there’s an emergency, such as a small child or pet locked inside.

Even so, without specific tools and skills, they’d likely need to break in just as you would. For non-emergency lockouts, the police will usually call a car locksmith or tow service, but you’ll have to pay for it.

How Much Does It Cost to Unlock a Car?

If your keys are locked in your car, the cost for a locksmith to unlock it typically ranges from about $50 to $250, according to eLocal.com. Towing services or car dealerships can be expensive too. For peace of mind, many people purchase roadside assistance through an auto club, credit card company, or as additional car insurance coverage on your policy.

Tips For When You’ve Locked Your Keys In Your Car

Many people lock themselves out of their cars each year. It’s normal to feel embarrassed, but don’t let the inconvenience feel monumental. You can get through it calmly by keeping the following in mind:

• Remember if and where you may have a spare key.
• If your spare key is at home, ask a friend or family member to bring it to you. Or, if you parked your car with no people or pets inside, consider using a rideshare service.
• Call your insurance company to see if you have roadside assistance.
• If you don’t have a spare key or roadside assistance, the next option is to call a tow service or locksmith.

How to Prevent Future Lockouts

Keep an extra key somewhere on your vehicle using a magnetic lockbox. Naturally, you will want to find a location that a thief would not look. This does pose a security risk, but you have to weigh this against the cost of being locked out.

Get a key that can open the car but not start it. This will allow you to get into your and retrieve your keys. Keep this key separate from your ignition key.

Avoid getting into the habit of locking your car while you are still inside it. Lock it on the outside so that you can always be certain that you have your keys on you.

Getting locked out of your car is a stressful experience, but there are solutions. A reputable locksmith can get you back in your car and on your way in no time.

FAQs

Will Triple A unlock my friend’s car?

They’re not contractually obligated to help your friend unless you are a passenger in her vehicle. Typically when a AAA technician comes, they’ll require your membership card and ID prior to providing any service or assistance. that needs to be unlocked, they should have no issues performing the service.

Can someone pick a car lock?

Lock picking is a popular way to open a car door when you’ve been locked out. To do this, get a lock pick set. This set contains a tension wrench, a rake and a bunch of other lock picking tools that are suitable to pick a variety of locks. Insert the tension wrench into the keyhole.

Can you unlock a car door with a bobby pin?

Here are the basic steps: Take a bobby pin, open it, and bend it into a V shape. Take the rubber ends off both ends of the bobby pins. Insert both ends of the bobby pin and move the bobby pin up and down, trying to jiggle the lock into the open position.

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