I’m locked out of my house – what do I do?

Don’t panic. Especially if you’re locked out at night, find somewhere safe to call for help. You don’t want to be hanging around in the dark, tapping on your phone, looking up locksmith prices. If you go to a friend’s home or a coffee shop, you’re more likely to be able to take a deep breath and do some research before you choose who to hire for help.

Compare locksmith prices. Just because you’re locked out is no reason to hire the closest locksmith or first locksmith you call without doing any research. If you have the time, always call at least three locksmiths so you can compare prices and other factors,

There are questions you should always ask any locksmith before hiring them:

How much will it cost? Make sure you get a set price. Ask about any extra charges for a rush job, emergency hours, or other special circumstances. When the locksmith arrives, confirm the price before any work is done.
Do they have a license? If locksmiths are required to have a license where you live, ask the locksmith about providing proof of their license.
What happens if the locksmith needs to drill or replace your lock? Will they try unlocking the door first?
Be wary when the locksmith arrives. Look to see if they arrive in a clearly marked vehicle with a business name on it. Ask for identification.

I’m locked out of my car – what do I do?

If you are at all worried about your safety, you can call the police. In addition to keeping you safe, the police can often get your door open.

Check with your insurance company to see if they have a service to help when you lock your key in your car. If you have AAA or other road side service, you may be covered through that as well.

You’ll want to ask auto locksmiths the same questions you ask residential locksmiths before hiring them, so you make an informed choice.

One special service an auto locksmith can sometimes provide is creating a temporary key that opens the door but doesn’t start the car. If you’ve locked your key inside the car, this may be the way to go. Dealers can also sometimes perform this service.

If you find yourself locking yourself out of your home or car a lot, you may want to consider asking your locksmith about installing keypad entry. There are other things you can do to protect yourself from lockouts:

Leave spare keys with neighbors or friends
Keep a key at work (if you can get into your workplace after hours)
Install a lockbox that opens with a code so you can keep an extra key nearby

For more information

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