What Should I Do if I Lock My Keys in My Car?

Returning to your car after a long day away, you reach for your keys and realize you left them in your locked vehicle. Now, what do you do? Here are some steps you can take.

Locate your spare key

One option is to purchase a magnetic key case and attach it under your vehicle's chassis. If you're uncomfortable doing that, keep your spare in a place where a family member could easily find it or with a friend/neighbor you trust.

Call roadside assistance

Roadside assistance service providers often have tools to unlock a vehicle. If you have roadside assistance as part of your auto insurance policy or through an automotive club, it may cover all or part of the cost of unlocking your car. Some manufacturers include free roadside service as part of a new car warranty. Premium credit cards often have roadside service as one of the free perks.

Call a locksmith

A locksmith won't be cheap, but most offer 24/7 service.

Call 9-1-1

If you're in an unsafe area or have a child or pet locked in the car, request the police to assist you.

NJM Insurance Group’s Commitment to Safety

NJM’s enduring commitment to safety can be traced back to our earliest days — with a focus that has expanded from improving conditions in manufacturing facilities to helping keep customers safe on the roads and at home. NJM is a leader in personal and commercial auto, homeowners, and workers’ compensation insurance.

References:

“What to Do If You Lock Your Keys in the Car,” https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2015/11/what-to-do-if-you-lock-your-keys-in-the-car/index.htm, (Last updated: November 27, 2015).
Fred Meier, “What Should You Do if You Lock Your Keys in Your Car,” https://www.cars.com/articles/what-should-you-do-if-you-lock-your-keys-in-your-car-450174, (May 23, 2022).
Andrew Northshield, “How to Get Keys Out of a Locked Car,” https://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/car-technology/a25589455/locked-keys-in-car, (November 19, 2020).
Warren Clarke, “How to Unlock a Car Door When You’ve Locked Yourself Out,” https://www.caranddriver.com/features/a27009536/how-to-unlock-car-door, (April 8, 2019).