How we help
Our car lockout service gets you back behind the wheel with careful entry techniques that protect your vehicle. Tell us where the car is and which make and model you drive.
Common situations
- Keys locked in the car
- Keys locked in the trunk
- Fob battery died with the car locked
- Child or pet locked inside the car
What the service includes
- 01When you call, give the vehicle make, model and year and where it is parked, and ask for a price range.
- 02On site, the technician checks your ID and confirms the car is yours, using registration or insurance documents once the door is open.
- 03A small gap is opened with an inflatable air wedge, protecting the paint and weather stripping.
- 04A long-reach tool presses the unlock button or pulls the handle, or the door lock is picked or decoded where that is better.
- 05The keys are retrieved and the doors, locks and alarm are confirmed to work normally.
Typical time: 5-15 minutes on site for most vehicles
Compatibility and limits
- Some European models with double-locking doors need picking or decoding and take longer.
- Trunks without an interior release or fold-down seats can be harder to reach.
- If the key is lost rather than locked inside, you need a new key, not a lockout.
How do locksmiths unlock a car without the key?
Read the answer
The most common method is an air wedge: a thin inflatable bag slid between the door frame and the body, then pumped up to open a small gap. A long-reach tool goes through the gap to press the unlock button or pull the interior handle. Done properly, it leaves no marks on paint, glass or seals.
The old slim jim method is rarely used on modern cars, because side airbags, wiring and anti-theft shields sit inside the door. Using one on a newer car risks damaging airbag wiring.
For some vehicles, especially those with double-locking doors, a technician picks or decodes the door lock with a two-in-one pick tool, which reads the wafer positions and lets them cut a key if needed.
Can a locksmith open my trunk if the keys are inside?
Read the answer
Usually yes. Many cars have a trunk release inside the cabin, so opening a door first gives access. Others have fold-down rear seats.
If the trunk has no internal release and the seats are locked, a technician may pick the trunk lock if the car has one, or use other techniques depending on the model.
With keyless cars, a key fob left in the trunk may prevent the trunk from locking, but the doors may still lock. Each make behaves differently.
Common questions
Will opening my car damage it?
Proper air wedge and long-reach methods do not damage paint or seals. Slim jims should be avoided on modern cars.
Can luxury cars like BMW or Mercedes be opened?
Yes, most of them. Some European models have double-locking doors that require different methods, which can take longer.
What if my key is lost, not locked inside?
Then you need a new key, not just a lockout. Many vehicles can have a replacement key cut and programmed where they are parked.
Can a car in a parking garage be opened?
Yes. When you call, give the garage, the level and any height limit so the right vehicle is sent.
Does my insurance cover lockouts?
Some policies and roadside assistance plans do. Check with your insurer before calling, since some require using their provider.