No matter how careful you are, there’s a good chance you’ll eventually find yourself locked out of your vehicle.
Almost every driver has locked their keys in their vehicle at least once. If you haven’t, consider yourself lucky and know that you could easily make the same mistake as many other drivers.
So how do you get into your locked vehicle without a key?
Let’s find out!
What Should You Do if You Get Locked Out of Your Vehicle?
How you respond if you discover that you’ve locked your keys in your vehicle will depend on the situation. If you’re a parent, you could accidentally lock a young child in the car and be unable to access them. This could become life-threatening, especially if it’s a hot summer day.
If this is the case or you’re in danger, you’ll want to call 911 and report the emergency as quickly as possible. The 911 operator will likely contact the proper authorities to come and render help.
However, if it’s not an emergency or your safety is not in jeopardy, you’ll likely want to contact your roadside assistance provider or a locksmith. This could take longer, but law enforcement will likely not render assistance if it’s not an emergency.
How Much Does It Cost if You Get Locked out of Your Vehicle?
If you get locked out of your car and have to pay out of pocket for a locksmith, it will likely cost anywhere from $50 to $250. However, you’ll want to remember that it greatly depends on your location and the time of day. If the person you call has to drive a considerable distance or it’s over a holiday weekend, you’re likely to pay a premium price.
Does Insurance Cover Getting Locked out of Your Vehicle?
Whether or not your insurance policy covers vehicle lockout will depend on your insurance policy. However, most insurance policies with roadside assistance will provide some coverage for vehicle lockout expenses. You’ll want to check with your insurance provider to see whether or not your policy will cover you should you become locked out of your vehicle.
Will the Police Help with Keys Locked in a Vehicle?
The police will typically only offer assistance with keys locked in a car if it’s an emergency. A pet, child, or another individual who cannot escape the vehicle would typically have to be inside the car for the police to get involved.
Some police departments are more helpful than others during these circumstances. You may get lucky if law enforcement is nearby and can provide aid during a non-emergency situation. However, that’s not always the case. They may be able to give you a reference for a local locksmith or a service that can assist.
How To Get Into Your Locked Vehicle Without a Key
If you need to get into a locked vehicle without a key, you can try a few things. However, some of these methods may not be compatible with your car or your situation.
Use Pincode
Some vehicles have a keypad on the driver’s door that allows an individual to unlock the door without a key. If you have one of these vehicles, you may never need to use your key to get into your vehicle. However, not every car, truck, and RV has this helpful feature.
Smartphone App
Some modern vehicles have capabilities that allow the driver to control certain features with their smartphone. Some of these features include turning the car on and off and, you guessed it, locking and unlocking the vehicle. If your car has this feature, it’s a good idea to set it up as soon as possible, so it’s an option if you ever need to use it.
Wire Clothes Hanger
One of the oldest tricks in the book for getting into a vehicle is using a wire clothes hanger. However, as cars have become more electronic and replaced manual locks, this method has become increasingly less effective. It’s also worth mentioning that this method could cause damage to your vehicle.
To do this, unfold the wire clothes hanger so it’s as straight as possible. It would help if you bent the hanger’s end into the shape of the letter “V” to create a small hook.
Pry the door enough to slide the wire down inside the frame and the door. However, you need to be extremely careful not to damage the door, the frame, or the window.
Use the hanger to press a button to unlock the vehicle door or to grab hold of the door lock knob and lift it. Depending on your rig, this could be easy or impossible to do without damaging it.
Inflatable Pump Wedge
An inflatable pump wedge will sit between the door and the weather stripping on the door’s frame. They typically come with a hand pump that you can manually inflate to increase the pressure the wedge applies to the door.
An inflatable pump wedge can provide enough pressure to create enough separation for you to get any tools you’ll use to get into your vehicle.
Call AAA/Locksmith
As auto thefts have increased over the years, manufacturers have made it incredibly challenging to get into vehicles without a key. However, if you call AAA or a locksmith, there’s a chance they’ll be able to help. They’ll have specialty tools and the knowledge of how to use them to get into vehicles without damaging them.
If you’re lucky, your roadside assistance coverage will provide vehicle lockout coverage. However, that’s not always the case, and a locksmith may not be available in your area when you need one.
Call the Police
Not all police departments will send officers to respond to every vehicle lockout. It’s not that it’s unimportant. But unless it’s an emergency or someone is in danger, their time is likely better spent elsewhere.
However, it’s worth a shot if you’re stuck and have no other options. Call the non-emergency number of the local police department and explain the situation and see what they recommend.
If you are in an emergency and locked out of your vehicle, call 911 immediately. Anytime a pet or someone is locked in a vehicle and cannot escape, it’s an emergency. The internal temperature of a car or truck can quickly increase and create an unsafe situation for anyone inside.
Get in Your Locked Vehicle Without a Key
The most important thing to do when you’re locked out of your vehicle and do not have a key is not to panic. Allowing feelings of anxiety and fear to control you typically results in bad decisions. There are several proven methods for getting into a vehicle without a key. While no one plans to lock themselves out of their vehicle, it’s a good idea to devise a plan just in case it happens to you.
If your vehicle doesn’t have a keypad or can’t unlock it from your smartphone, you may want to ensure your roadside assistance will provide some help. In addition, you can also use a magnetic box hidden under your vehicle to store a key. You may never plan to use it, but you’ll be glad you have it if the day comes when you need to use it.
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