Free checklist
Locked out?Do this now.
A few quick answers and you get a checklist for your situation: what to check first, who might have a spare, and what to have ready if you still need a locksmith.
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Where are you locked out?
How this works
The checklist runs in your browser and nothing you tick is sent anywhere. It asks where you are locked out and whether anyone is at risk, because that decides what comes first. If someone is in danger, it tells you to call 911 before anything else.
After that it only suggests things that are safe and do no damage: other doors, windows you can reach from the ground, a keypad or app, and the people who might hold a spare. A home, a car and a business each get their own list.
If you still need a locksmith, it tells you what they will ask to see and how to stay in control of the visit. The price is given before any work starts, and nothing is touched until you agree it.
Questions people ask
- When should I call 911 instead of a locksmith?
- When someone is at risk: a child or someone who can't open the door alone inside, a pet shut in a car, someone who needs medicine or care that is inside, or something left on that could start a fire or a flood. Emergency services come first. A locksmith comes after everyone is safe.
- Can a locksmith open my door without damaging it?
- A standard residential lock can usually be opened without any damage. High-security cylinders are harder and occasionally have to be replaced, but you should be told that before any work starts, not after.
- What ID do I need to show the locksmith?
- Photo ID and something that shows you live there, such as a bill, a lease or a statement on your phone. For a car, proof it is yours, such as the registration or insurance card. If those are locked inside, say so when you call. They can usually be checked as soon as the door is open.
- Does my car insurance cover a lockout?
- It may. Many policies with roadside assistance, car club memberships and manufacturer roadside programmes include lockout help. Cover varies, so check your policy or membership before you call anyone.
- I rent. Can I call a locksmith to let me in?
- Try your landlord or property manager first, because they often hold a key. If you can't reach them, a locksmith can let you into a home you live in once you show it is yours. Changing a lock in a rental is different: check your lease, as many require the landlord's permission.
- How do I avoid a lockout scam?
- Ask for the full price before any work starts and agree it before anything is touched. Be wary of a phone figure that sounds far too low, ask the locksmith for ID when they arrive, don't agree to drilling before non-destructive entry has been tried, and get an itemised invoice before you pay.