Locked Out of Your Car? What to Do Next
Who to call first, the checks that sometimes solve it in a minute, and what a car locksmith needs from you.
The phone call
Expect a handful of questions. What's locked or broken? Where are you, exactly? Home, car or business? Is anyone in danger? From that, the dispatcher gives the $29 service call fee and a starting price. Write it down.
When the locksmith arrives
They look at the lock, confirm the price with you and only then start. They'll ask for ID or proof you live there or own the car. Ask for their name and a written invoice at the end; the independent contractor who does the work is the one who bills you.
Holidays and weekends
Calls are answered every day, but fewer locksmiths work at 2 a.m. on New Year's Day than at noon on a Tuesday. Ask whether an after-hours charge applies, and how long the wait looks right now.
Avoiding surprises
- Get the starting price on the phone
- Confirm the full price before work begins
- Ask about after-hours charges up front
- Mention any coupon when you book
Be prepared
Save a locksmith's number now, while nothing is wrong. Keep a spare key with someone you trust. Photograph your car's registration. Five minutes today saves an hour on the curb later. See why keep a locksmith on speed dial.
