What should you do if you lock your car keys inside?

Locking your keys inside the car is every driver's nightmare. If this happens to you, there are methods you can try without panicking. So, what should you do when your keys are locked inside? Here are the answers you're looking for!

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, all of us experience moments of forgetfulness from time to time. When the forgotten item happens to be your car key left inside the vehicle, however, the situation can become a bit more complicated and frustrating. The good news is that once you know what to do when your key is locked inside the car, resolving the issue is not as difficult as it may seem. In this guide, we have compiled the steps you can take if your key is left inside either your own vehicle or a rental car. Let’s take a look at how you can regain access to your vehicle.

1. What You Can Do If the Key Is Locked Inside Your Own Vehicle

You stop for a short break during a trip or arrive home at the end of the day, only to realize that your car key is not with you but locked inside the vehicle. First of all, you should know that forgetting your key inside the car is not something that only happens to you. Therefore, instead of panicking, you should focus on finding a safe way to unlock your vehicle. Of course, these methods do not include breaking a window or tampering with the lock. We recommend choosing safer and more reliable solutions. Here are the options available when your key is locked inside the car:

1.1 Call Roadside Assistance

If you are asking yourself, “My car is locked and the key is inside. What should I do?”, one of the simplest solutions is to call roadside assistance. You can use your phone to find an authorized roadside assistance provider near your location and contact them for help. If your vehicle is insured, you can also call your insurance company directly and request roadside assistance services.

1.2 Call the Police

If your car key is locked inside the vehicle, especially if your vehicle is obstructing traffic or if you do not wish to call roadside assistance, you can seek help from the police or local law enforcement authorities. This can be a safer and often cost-free solution.

1.3 Call a Tow Truck

Another option when your key is locked inside the car is to call a tow truck. Whether it is a service you have used before or one you find online, an affordable towing service can help you resolve the situation, especially if you are far from home.

1.4 Call a Locksmith

One of the most effective solutions we can recommend when the key is locked inside the vehicle is to call a locksmith. Hiring a locksmith can provide a quick way to gain access to your car without the key. However, it also comes with certain risks. It is important that the locksmith opens the vehicle without causing any damage.

1.5 Look for Alternative Solutions

If your key is locked inside the car and you prefer not to use any of the methods above, your remaining option is to look for alternative solutions. If minor damage to the vehicle is not a major concern for you, you may attempt to open the door using tools such as a pry bar. Additionally, if there is even a small gap in the window, it may be possible to insert a thin, long object through the opening to reach the locking mechanism and unlock the door.

2. What You Can Do If the Key Is Locked Inside a Rental Vehicle

Having your key locked inside a vehicle can be frustrating, and when the vehicle is rented, it is even more important to find a solution without causing damage. If the key is locked inside a rental car, here are the steps you can take:

2.1 Try to Access the Spare Key

Long-term vehicle rental companies generally provide customers with two keys. If you received two keys when renting the vehicle, you are in luck. By accessing the spare key, you can unlock the vehicle without any issues.

2.2 Contact the Rental Company

Another thing you can do if the key is locked inside your rental car is to contact the rental company and explain the situation. You can follow the recommendations provided by the company representatives and request roadside assistance if necessary. With all vehicles rented through Hedef Filo, you can benefit from the roadside assistance service included among Hedef Filo’s services free of charge.

2.3 Fill Out an Online Request Form

If the key is locked inside the vehicle, you may also choose to fill out an online request form so that the rental company can contact you. Including a note such as “The car is locked and the key is inside” will help the vehicle rental company respond to you as quickly as possible. For this purpose, you can use the Hedef Filo online services platform.