How After-Hours Locksmiths Handle Home and Car Lockouts

Getting locked out late at night is stressful, but the process a locksmith follows is fairly predictable.

Types of after-hours lockouts

• Residential: a house or apartment door
• Automotive: a car door or trunk
• Commercial: an office, shop or storage unit

Assessing the situation

The dispatcher and locksmith will want to know:

• What kind of lock is involved
• Whether the key is lost or locked inside
• Whether the lock or door is damaged
• Whether anyone, such as a child or pet, is inside. If so, call 911 first.

Non-destructive entry first

Picking or bypassing the lock is the preferred approach. Drilling is a last resort, and the locksmith should explain why before doing it.

After entry

If keys were lost or stolen, rekeying or replacing the lock makes sure they can no longer be used.

Be prepared

• Save a locksmith's number now
• Keep a spare key somewhere secure
• Consider a keypad or smart lock with a backup key

See our emergency locksmith page for more.