Being unable to access your car can be a frustrating and challenging experience. If you’ve locked yourself out by leaving the keys inside, losing them, or encountering a malfunctioning key, you might wonder, will the police unlock your car? In some situations, law enforcement officers may offer assistance. However, they typically do not unlock vehicles unless there is an emergency.
In this guide, we’re going to be dealing with the topic of when the police will be in a position to aid, different strategies that can be employed in order to get back into their vehicles and the most frequently asked questions about car lockouts.
Will the Police Unlock Your Car in an Emergency?
The police can unlock your car, but only if it is an emergency situation. They usually assist only when:
A Child or Pet is Locked Inside
In case a child or pet is locked in the car, especially on a hot or cold day law enforcement will show up as soon as possible and unlock the car or break a window if necessary.
There’s a Medical Emergency
In case a person in the vehicle is in trouble or needs help right away, the police can use a method of forced entry to get in and save them.
A Crime is Involved
If your car either gets stolen or is part of a criminal investigation, the police may unlock the vehicle to search for evidence or even recover stolen property.
When Won’t the Police Unlock Your Car?
In the case of non-emergency, the law enforcement will usually not be able to unlock your vehicle. For example:
- You accidentally locked your keys inside the car.
- Your key fob isn’t working.
- You lost your car keys.
In some instances, the police may give you some options like reaching out to a locksmith or the road assistance.
What to Do If the Police Won’t Unlock Your Car
If the police refuse to help, you have a few options you can use to get back into your car:
Call a Locksmith
A professional locksmith has the ability to unlock a car in a way that saves the car from any damage. This can be considered the easiest and most secure way to re-enter your car.
Contact Roadside Assistance
Your roadside assistance plan that you got from your insurance company or AAA or to be sent by your car manufacturer to unlock your vehicle is the best option if you already have one. Otherwise, you can call a local locksmith company that is open.
Use a Spare Key
If you have a spare key at home or a trusted friend’s home, then retrieving it will let you spend less money and time.
Try DIY Methods (With Caution)
Some drivers use self-taught tricks like a slim jim, coat hanger, and shoelace to open their cars. Nonetheless, these will most times mess up the car’s locks, therefore, use them only if there are no other available options.
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FAQs
Q. Will the police unlock your car for free?
In a case where a kid or a pet is stuck in a car, the police are authorized to open the car or break the window to save them. Besides these situations, they usually do not help people with such issues.
Q. Can I call 911 if I’m locked out of my car?
Do not contact 911 unless it is a real emergency,such as a child or a pet having their lives in danger or a person is in trauma being locked inside. This way, you have the option of getting a locksmith who will be faster or you may also contact roadside assistance instead.
Q. What should I do if I’m locked out of my car at night?
Unsafe areas should be rendezvoused by the police after you call them. If it is during an off-peak time, you may keep the number of a locksmith, the service of a friend or roadside assistance in your mobile and call them when need be.
Q. How much does a locksmith charge to unlock a car?
The charged rate differs, but it is usually between $50 and $150, as per your place and the lock system structure.
Q. Will the police unlock your car if you lost your keys?
They don’t have that procedure. A common tendency is for law enforcement to advise one or both of the other two: a locksmith or a roadside assistance call the police, which could possibly work.
Wrapping Up
Will the police unlock your car? It is possible if it’s a matter of life and death, in this case, as incredible as the situation may seem, they could provide you with the service, but usually, they cannot help you out, thus you will have to call a locksmith or do some other trick to unlock your car. In order to avoid similar situations, you should keep a spare key or subscribe to a Roadside Assistance Program.
Ever found yourself locked out of your car? Tell us your story in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!
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