Locked Out of Your Car? Do These 7 Things Before Calling a Locksmith
Getting locked out of your car ranks somewhere between flat tire at night and dead phone at the airport on the misery scale. The good news: you almost always have more options than you think. Here’s the exact checklist to run before (and when) you call a professional.
1. Check every door and the trunk
Sounds silly. It’s the single most common reason locksmiths get called and drive out for free — the rear passenger door, or the trunk, or the tailgate on an SUV, was unlocked the whole time. Walk the full perimeter before anything else.
2. Check if anyone with a spare is nearby
If you share the car with a partner or family member, call them first. A 15-minute wait beats a $100 service call.
3. Use your phone if you have a connected-car app
Most cars built after 2018 have a manufacturer app that can unlock the doors remotely. Check for:
- MyChevrolet / myBuick / myGMC / myCadillac (GM)
- FordPass
- MyHyundai / Hyundai Blue Link
- Kia Access / UVO
- Toyota App / Lexus App
- myHonda / HondaLink
- NissanConnect
- MyBMW / Mercedes me / My Audi / Volvo Cars
- Tesla app
Even if you’ve never used it, it’s worth installing now. Most apps can unlock your car while you’re standing there waiting.
4. Call roadside assistance before calling a locksmith
If you have AAA, your insurance’s roadside package, or a service plan through your car manufacturer, lockouts are typically covered — or at least heavily discounted. Check these before anything else:
- Your auto insurance card (GEICO, State Farm, Allstate, Progressive, USAA — most include lockouts)
- Your credit card benefits (Visa Signature, AmEx Platinum, etc. often include roadside)
- Your car’s warranty or factory roadside program (first 3–5 years on most new cars)
5. Do NOT try the “coat hanger” or “shoelace” trick on a modern car
Every car made in the last 10 years has side-curtain airbags, wiring looms, and sensors running along the door frame. A coat hanger slid into the door can puncture a wiring harness and cause a repair bill in the thousands. This trick was developed in the 1970s on cars with completely different internals. Don’t do it.
6. If you have a child, pet, or medical situation inside — call 911 first
This is not optional. If a kid or animal is locked in a warm car, call 911 before anything else. Fire departments will force entry for free in those cases, and the clock matters.
7. When you do call a locksmith, ask these three questions
- “What’s your flat rate for a car lockout?” A real locksmith will quote $65–$145 flat. Scammers quote $19 “starting at” and bill $300+ on arrival.
- “Do you have experience with my car make and model?” Some modern cars (newer Teslas, some Audis, Lexus with proximity keys) need specialized tools.
- “Are you a local, licensed company?” Ask for the company name. When the tech arrives, check that the vehicle is marked and the company name matches what you were told.
What to expect when a locksmith arrives
A good auto locksmith should unlock a standard car in 5–15 minutes using a professional wedge-and-reach tool that does not touch the interior wiring. You should be asked for photo ID and proof that the car is yours (insurance card, registration). If a locksmith doesn’t ask for that, that’s a red flag, not a convenience.
Need help right now?
American Locksmith provides 24/7 emergency lockout service nationwide. Call (888) 907-1705 — flat-rate quote on the phone before anyone drives out.
