Quick answer: if you locked your keys in the car, call an automotive locksmith for the fastest way in. A licensed locksmith can unlock most car doors without damage, usually in 20 to 30 minutes. This guide is for Indianapolis drivers who locked their keys in the car and need help now.
Locking your keys in the car is stressful, but it happens to everyone. Stay calm, because you have several good options to get back in.
Below is exactly what to do, who to call, what a car lockout costs, and how to keep your keys from getting locked in the car again. For example, GEICO roadside assistance covers a lockout locksmith up to $100, though not the cost of new keys.
First Steps When You Lock Your Keys in the Car
Take a breath and check the simple things first. Sometimes the fix is faster than you think.
Try every door handle and the trunk. One door is often unlocked when you locked your keys in the car in a rush, so a quick walk around the car is worth it before you call.
Look through the windows to spot where the keys are. If the keys are in the ignition or on the seat, that tells the locksmith how to unlock the car fastest.
Check for a spare key in your bag, your pocket, or with a relative nearby. A spare key ends the lockout in seconds.
If a child or pet is locked inside, skip these steps and call 911 right away. That is a true emergency.
Common Ways Keys Get Locked in a Car
Keys get locked in the car in a few common ways. Knowing them helps you avoid the next lockout.
Many drivers set the keys on the seat, grab a bag, and shut the door with the keys inside. Others lock the car out of habit while the keys sit in the ignition or a cup holder.
A broken key or a dead fob battery can also leave you stuck, since the car will not read the key. In each case, calling a locksmith gets you and your keys back together fast.
Who to Call When You Lock Keys in Your Car
Once you know the keys are truly locked in the car, it is time to call for help. Calling the right service saves you time and money, so here is who to contact, in order.
Call an Automotive Locksmith
A local automotive locksmith is the best call for most car lockouts. A mobile locksmith comes to your car and can unlock the door without damage.
In Indianapolis, Chief of Locks answers 24 hours a day at (317) 671-7873. Calling a locksmith is usually faster and cheaper than a tow.
Call Roadside Assistance
If you have roadside assistance through insurance or a car club, lockout help may be included. Have your vehicle information ready when calling for roadside assistance.
Roadside assistance can be slower than a local locksmith, so ask for an arrival time before you wait. When calling, give the vehicle year, make, model, and your location so the help arrives ready.
Some drivers try several services at once, calling a locksmith and roadside assistance, then keeping whichever answers first. A local locksmith usually wins on speed for a car lockout.
Call the Non-Emergency Police
For a normal lockout, call the non-emergency police line for lockout assistance. Officers do not always unlock cars, but they can help if someone is at risk.
Call a Tow Company
Towing companies can also provide lockout services. A tow driver may pop the door, or tow the car if needed, though this is usually the priciest option.
When a Car Lockout Is an Emergency
Most lockouts are just an inconvenience. Some are a real emergency.
If a child, a pet, or a person who needs medicine is locked inside, call 911. Heat inside a closed car is a danger to life, so do not wait.
Tell the dispatcher it is a car with keys inside and someone at risk. Emergency services will treat it as urgent.
Can You Unlock the Car Yourself?
It is tempting to try to unlock the car on your own. Be careful, because a mistake can cost more than a locksmith.
Using a coat hanger can unlock older cars with manual lock buttons. On modern cars, that trick does not work and can damage the door, the window, or the wiring.
Prying the window or door is a last resort that usually ends in a repair bill. A locksmith uses the right tools to open the car with no damage.
What a Locksmith Does on a Car Lockout
A licensed locksmith carries the tools to open almost any car door. The locksmith confirms the car is yours, then unlocks the door in minutes.
If your only key is lost, not just locked inside, the locksmith can cut and program a replacement key on site. That turns a lockout into a full fix in one visit.
The work is fast and clean, so your car doors, window, and lock are left just as they were.
What to Do While You Wait for Help
Once help is on the way, stay safe with the car. Wait somewhere well lit where you can see the car and your keys locked inside.
Keep your phone handy in case the locksmith needs to confirm the vehicle or your location. Have your ID ready to show the car is yours before anyone will unlock the doors.
Do not leave the car if a child or pet is locked inside. Stay with the vehicle and flag down help until the keys are back in your hand.
Resist the urge to force the door or window while you wait. A few minutes of patience saves you from a repair bill on top of the lockout, and the locksmith will have the keys out fast.
Car Lockout Cost in Indianapolis
A standard car lockout in Indianapolis costs about $75 to $150. The price can vary depending on the time of day and the vehicle.
After-hours and holiday calls cost more because the locksmith is on call around the clock. Always ask for a price before the work starts.
If you lost the keys and need a new one made, car key replacement runs more, from about $150 for a basic transponder key. A locksmith quotes the exact cost for your vehicle.
Locked Keys in the Car vs Lost Car Keys
There is a difference between locked keys and lost car keys. If the keys are locked in the car, a locksmith just unlocks the car and hands you the keys.
If the car keys are truly lost or stolen, the locksmith unlocks the car and then cuts a new key for the vehicle. Lost keys cost more than a simple lockout, but both services are handled in one visit.
Either way, calling a local locksmith is the fastest fix. Whether your keys are locked in the car or gone for good, the locksmith gets your vehicle open and your keys sorted the same day.
How to Avoid Locking Your Keys in the Car
A little planning keeps the next lockout from happening. The goal is a backup way into the car.
- Keep a spare key with a trusted relative, friend, or at home
- Hide a spare key in a magnetic box on the outside of the car
- Use your key fob keyless entry, which helps prevent accidental lockouts
- Remember that most cars come with two keys or fobs, so keep the second safe
- Save a 24-hour locksmith number in your phone before you need it
A magnetic box can securely hold a spare key outside your car, so you are never fully locked out. Keyless entry systems also prevent accidental lockouts on newer vehicles. You can verify a locksmith through the Associated Locksmiths of America. The NHTSA explains how modern vehicle immobilizers and anti-theft systems work.