Locked Keys in Car? What to Do (and What It Costs)
A calm, step-by-step guide for the moment you realize your keys are locked inside — what to check, what to skip, and what it actually costs to get back in.
Call (262) 325-7879Locked your keys in the car? Check all doors and the trunk first, call 911 only if a child or pet is locked inside, then call a mobile locksmith for damage-free entry. At ATD Automotive, lockouts start at $95 for weekday, business-hours service within a 15-mile radius — we come to you, no tow required.
Step by step
- Check every door and the trunk. It sounds obvious, but it's the fastest fix when it works — cars are sometimes unlocked on a passenger door, or a trunk release lets you climb through to the cabin, even when the driver's door reads locked.
- If a child or pet is locked inside, call 911 first. This is the one situation where you should call emergency services before anything else, especially in hot or cold weather when time matters. For an ordinary lockout with nobody and nothing at risk inside the vehicle, a locksmith — not 911 — is the right call.
- Check roadside assistance or insurance coverage. Many auto insurance policies, some credit cards, and dealership roadside programs include lockout coverage. A quick call or app check can save you the cost of a service call — though wait times through a large roadside network can be longer than calling a local locksmith directly.
- Don't try a coat hanger on a modern car. See below — on most vehicles built in the last two decades, it doesn't work and can cause real damage.
- Call a mobile locksmith. Have your location and vehicle description ready. A mobile locksmith comes to you and opens the vehicle without damaging the door, lock, or weatherstripping.
Why coat hangers don't work on modern cars
The classic "slim jim" or coat-hanger trick relied on reaching an exposed manual lock rod inside the door panel and tripping it directly. That mechanism largely disappeared as manufacturers moved to sealed door assemblies, electronic locking systems, and side-curtain airbags routed through the door frame — all of which make blind reaching inside a door both ineffective and risky. On most vehicles built in the last twenty years or so, there's no exposed rod to catch, and jamming something into the door gap is more likely to damage the weatherstripping, scratch the window, or bend interior trim than actually open the door. What starts as a free fix can turn into a repair bill well above the cost of a standard lockout call.
What a lockout costs
| Situation | ATD Automotive price |
|---|---|
| Weekday lockout, within 15 miles | from $95 |
| Evenings, weekends, or longer distance | quoted by phone |
The price above is a starting point — call with your vehicle and location for a firm quote. We offer emergency service and call anytime, but the flat $95 rate specifically applies to weekday, business-hours calls within a 15-mile radius.
When it's more than a lockout
Sometimes what looks like a simple lockout is actually a lost or broken key — if you don't have your keys with you at all, that's an all-keys-lost situation, not a standard lockout, and the pricing and process are different. See our car key replacement page or our full price list for details.
Locked out right now? Call (262) 325-7879. Curious how this compares to a dealer? Read locksmith vs. dealership.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do first if I'm locked out of my car?
Check every door and the trunk — cars are sometimes unlocked on one side or through the trunk release even when the driver's door is locked. If it's a real emergency (a child or pet inside), call 911 first. Otherwise, check your roadside assistance or insurance coverage, then call a mobile locksmith.
How much does a car lockout cost?
At ATD Automotive, lockouts start at $95 for weekday, business-hours calls within a 15-mile radius. Other times and distances are quoted by phone. This covers damage-free entry — no coat hangers, no broken weatherstripping.
Will a coat hanger work on my car?
Almost never on a modern vehicle. Older cars with exposed manual lock rods could sometimes be opened this way, but most cars built in the last two decades have sealed door mechanisms, airbags and wiring near the door frame, and locking systems that a coat hanger simply can't reach or operate — and trying often damages weatherstripping, window trim, or the lock mechanism itself, turning a $95 lockout into a much more expensive repair.
Should I call the police for a lockout?
Only for genuine emergencies — specifically a child or pet locked inside the vehicle, especially in hot or cold weather. For an ordinary lockout with no one and nothing at risk inside the car, a mobile locksmith is the right call, not 911.
Does roadside assistance or my insurance cover lockouts?
Many auto insurance policies and some credit cards include roadside assistance with lockout coverage — it's worth a quick check before you pay out of pocket. If you don't have coverage, or if you'd rather have a local locksmith who can also cut a spare key on the spot, call us directly.
Locked out right now? Skip the guide — call.
Tell us your vehicle's year, make, and model — we'll quote you over the phone. Based in Genoa City, serving Southeast Wisconsin & Northern Illinois.
Call (262) 325-7879