What to Do If You Lock Your Keys in the Car
Call a locksmith or your roadside assistance first, and know that getting locked out almost never affects your insurance at all.
Call for help, then worry about the car later
If you lock your keys in the car, the fastest fix is usually a locksmith or a roadside assistance service. Many insurers and some car warranties include roadside help that covers lockouts, so check your policy or your membership card before you pay out of pocket for a tow truck or a locksmith.
This isn't really an insurance problem. Auto insurance covers damage, injury, and liability. It doesn't cover the inconvenience of a lockout itself. The only way insurance enters the picture is if you already have roadside assistance as part of your coverage, in which case it's a service you call, not a claim you file.
Whether you already have roadside assistance
Check your insurance policy, your auto club membership, or your car's warranty before you call a locksmith yourself. Many policies include roadside assistance as an add-on, and it often covers lockouts along with jump-starts and flat tires.
If you have this coverage, there's usually a number to call that's separate from filing a claim. You explain where you are, and they send someone, sometimes a locksmith, sometimes a tow operator who can get the door open.
If you don't have roadside assistance, you're paying for a locksmith directly. Costs vary by location and by how late at night you call, so ask what the service charges before they arrive if you can.
Some newer cars also have a manufacturer app or a dealer hotline that can unlock the car remotely if it has connected services. Check your car's manual or the automaker's app to see if that's an option before you call anyone else.
What people get wrong about filing a claim
A lockout by itself isn't a claim. There's no damage, no accident, and nothing for your insurer to pay out for, so calling your insurance company to report a lockout the way you'd report a crash isn't the right move.
The confusion usually comes from roadside assistance being bundled into an auto policy. Using roadside assistance doesn't work like filing a claim and doesn't involve the same process of estimates or adjusters. It's closer to calling a service line.
Where it can matter is if you break a window or damage the car trying to get back in yourself. That kind of damage could be a legitimate claim, so think twice before using a tool to pry the door or smashing a window unless it's an emergency, like a child or pet locked inside on a hot day.
If you do need to make a claim for damage from trying to get in, your insurer will ask how it happened, so be straightforward about it.
Questions people ask about this
Does AAA come if you lock your keys in the car?
Yes, lockout service is one of the most common reasons people call AAA or similar auto clubs. Membership tiers vary in what they cover, so check whether lockouts are included in your specific plan and whether there's a limit on how many times a year you can use it.
Can a locksmith open any car door?
Most locksmiths who do automotive work can open the vast majority of makes and models, but newer cars with advanced security systems can sometimes be harder. If a locksmith can't help, a tow to the dealership is usually the fallback.
Will my insurance go up if I use roadside assistance for a lockout?
Roadside assistance for a lockout isn't a claim against your policy, so it typically doesn't work the same way as filing a claim for an accident. Ask your insurer directly how they treat roadside assistance calls, since this can vary by company.
Is it safe to break a car window to get keys out?
It depends entirely on the situation. If a child or pet is locked inside in dangerous heat, breaking a window may be the right call and some places have laws protecting people who do this in an emergency. For a routine lockout, it's better to wait for a locksmith or roadside help.
What should I keep in the car in case I get locked out again?
Many people keep a spare key with a trusted person or in a lockbox attached to the car, rather than inside it. Check if your car has a keypad entry option or if your insurer's roadside assistance has a mobile app that speeds up the call.
If you're dealing with this kind of hassle, it might be worth seeing what roadside assistance costs through a new policy.
Find your insurance card or app and check whether roadside assistance is already part of your coverage. If it is, save that number somewhere other than your phone, since your phone might be locked in the car too. If you don't have roadside assistance, look up a local locksmith's number now rather than while standing outside your car. When you compare auto insurance quotes, ask each insurer directly whether roadside assistance is included or available as an add-on, since this varies by company and by plan.
