Many motorists will know the feeling of realising that you’ve either lost your car keys, or have accidentally locked them inside your vehicle. But what should you do if you find you are unable to get into your car?
The first point is not to panic! Take a moment to assess the situation. Do you have a spare car key you could easily access? This might be the case if you’re at home when you lock yourself out of your vehicle.
If not, is there any way to get your spare key to where you are currently? While that might take a bit of time, given that replacing a lost car key can cost anywhere between £160 and £8,000 depending on the type of car you drive, it will likely be worth the wait!
For most models, replacement keys are in the £200–£500 range. But that’s still a lot to spend, so always seek alternatives if you can.
Should you be unable to get hold of a spare key, or perhaps not have one, your next best option will be contacting a car locksmith in Slough, or wherever you find yourself.
These professionals are skilled at helping you gain entry to your vehicle without causing any damage. If you’ve locked your key in your car, this could well be your best option at this stage.
However, one action you shouldn’t take is to call the police – unless a child or pet is locked in the car, or you are in a vulnerable situation. If it’s just an inconvenience, the police will refer you to your breakdown provider or a car locksmith.
The other action you should avoid is trying to break into your car yourself to retrieve your key. This is likely to cause damage to your vehicle that is unlikely to be covered by your insurance provider, so think twice before you do anything rash.