A car lockout is one of the most common calls we get in Fort Lauderdale, and it is almost always the same story. The keys are on the seat, in the ignition, or in a bag in the trunk, and the doors locked behind you. The car is fine. You just need to get back in without damaging it.
First: is anyone or anything inside?
If a child or a pet is locked in the car, call 911 first. South Florida heat turns a closed car dangerous in minutes, even in the shade and even in winter. Emergency services come faster and can break a window if they need to. Call a locksmith after.
Check the easy things
- Try every door and the trunk. It sounds obvious, but a rear door or a hatch that did not latch is more common than you would think.
- Check your phone. Many newer cars can be unlocked from the manufacturer's app if you set it up.
- Check your coverage. Your auto insurance, a roadside plan, or even your credit card may include lockout service. It is worth a quick look before you pay out of pocket.
- Is there a spare? If someone at home has one and can get to you quickly, that can be the cheapest fix.
What not to try
The coat hanger trick worked on cars from decades ago. On a modern car, a wire pushed down past the window will scratch the glass and paint, tear the weatherstripping and can damage the wiring and airbag components inside the door. Wedging the door open with a screwdriver bends the frame and causes wind noise and leaks for years. Breaking a window to get to your keys costs far more than a lockout call, and then you are driving around with plastic over the glass.
What to tell us when you call
- Exactly where you are. Fort Lauderdale parking is not always simple: a level in a Las Olas garage, a beach lot off A1A, a hotel valet area, a marina. A cross street or a garage level number saves time.
- The make, model and year.
- Where the keys are, if you can see them.
We will give you a real arrival time for your location and a firm price before we head out.
Have your ID ready
A legitimate locksmith checks that the car is yours before opening it. Have your driver's license ready, and once the car is open we may ask to see the registration or insurance card from the glovebox. It takes a minute and it is the same check you would want if someone else were standing by your car.
What it costs
KSB's car lockouts start at $95. The quote you get on the phone is what you pay, with no dispatch fee. If you are not sure whether your car is a simple opening or something more involved, ask on the call and we will tell you straight away.
Locked out right now?
KSB Locksmith serves Fort Lauderdale and the rest of Broward County. When you call, Joe, the owner, answers and does the work himself. Hours are Sunday to Thursday 9 AM to 7 PM, Friday 9 AM to 5 PM and Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM. Call 954-994-1984. More on our car lockout service.