You’re standing in a car park, staring through the window at your keys sitting on the driver’s seat. It’s frustrating, but you’re not alone, thousands of Australians find themselves in this exact situation every week. Knowing how to access locked keys in car roadside assistance can turn a stressful moment into a minor inconvenience, getting you back on the road within the hour.
At National Cover, we understand that emergencies don’t wait for convenient timing. Our comprehensive car insurance policies include 24/7 towing and roadside support, designed to help you when you need it most. Whether you’re locked out at midnight or stranded during your lunch break, having the right coverage means professional help is just a phone call away.
This guide walks you through exactly what to do when you’ve locked your keys in your car, from contacting your roadside assistance provider to understanding what services are typically covered. We’ll also cover alternative options if you don’t currently have roadside assistance and how to prevent this situation in the future.
Know when it’s an emergency and who to call
Not all lockout situations are created equal. Before you reach for your phone, assess the immediate risk to determine who you need to contact first. A locked car with children or pets inside requires immediate emergency response, while a standard lockout can be handled through regular roadside assistance channels.
When to call emergency services first
You must call 000 immediately if anyone vulnerable is trapped inside your vehicle. Children can develop heatstroke within minutes in Australian conditions, even on mild days. Pets face similar risks, and both situations require professional emergency response before contacting roadside assistance.
Call emergency services when you face any of these scenarios: a child or pet is locked inside, someone with medical conditions needs medication from the car, extreme weather conditions create danger, or the vehicle is in a dangerous location like active traffic lanes. Police and emergency services have specialised tools to access vehicles quickly without causing damage.
If someone vulnerable is locked inside, skip roadside assistance and dial 000 first. Their safety outweighs any concerns about vehicle damage.
Primary contacts for standard lockouts
For regular locked keys in car roadside assistance, your first call should be to your insurance provider’s emergency line. Most comprehensive policies include lockout services as part of their roadside assistance package, often at no additional cost. National Cover customers can access 24/7 support specifically for these situations.
Alternative contacts include standalone roadside assistance memberships (NRMA, RACV, RAC), automotive clubs, or professional locksmiths. Keep these numbers stored in your phone under an easy-to-find name like "Car Emergency" rather than relying on memory during stressful moments.
Step 1. Get safe and confirm you’re locked out
Your first priority is personal safety, not the locked car. Before you start calling for locked keys in car roadside assistance, take thirty seconds to remove yourself from immediate danger and verify you actually need help. This quick assessment prevents unnecessary callouts and ensures you’re in a safe position when assistance arrives.
Move away from traffic and hazards
Step away from the vehicle if it’s parked near traffic, in a loading zone, or anywhere that puts you at risk. Your physical safety matters more than the car’s location. Find a well-lit, visible spot nearby where you can safely wait, preferably somewhere with shelter if weather conditions are poor.
If you’re stranded at night or in an isolated area, stay near the vehicle but position yourself where passing traffic can see you. Turn on your hazard lights if the car is in a precarious spot. Many roadside assistance operators will ask about your exact location and surroundings when you call, so take note of nearby landmarks or street signs.
Safety first, car second. Never put yourself at risk to stay with a locked vehicle in a dangerous location.
Double-check all entry points
Before calling for help, test every door handle and the boot to confirm you’re truly locked out. Many modern vehicles have selective locking systems where one door might remain unlocked while others engage. Check the passenger doors, rear doors, and boot latch thoroughly.
Look through the windows to verify your keys are actually inside and confirm whether the central locking is engaged. Some vehicles show visible lock pins or indicators that confirm the system is active.
Step 2. Try the fastest self-help options
Before calling for locked keys in car roadside assistance, you might solve the problem yourself in minutes. Many lockout situations have simple solutions that don’t require professional help, saving you both time and money. These quick fixes work particularly well if you’re near home or have access to technology that unlocks your vehicle remotely.
Check for a spare key nearby
Contact anyone who might have immediate access to your spare key. If you’re locked out near home, a family member can bring the spare within minutes. Many Australians keep spare keys with trusted neighbours or friends precisely for these situations, making this the fastest possible solution.
A spare key five minutes away beats waiting thirty minutes for roadside assistance.
Consider whether you’ve left a magnetic key holder attached to the vehicle’s undercarriage. While not recommended for security reasons, some drivers use these for emergencies. Check common hiding spots like wheel wells or behind bumpers if you’ve installed one previously.
Use manufacturer apps or technology
Modern vehicles often include remote unlocking through smartphone apps. Brands like Tesla, BMW, and Mercedes offer this functionality as standard. Open your manufacturer’s app and look for unlock or remote access features that send commands directly to your vehicle.
Some vehicles respond to phone-as-key technology even when your physical keys are locked inside. Check if your phone’s Bluetooth connection can unlock the doors remotely, a feature increasingly common in vehicles manufactured after 2020.
Step 3. Use roadside assistance the right way
Once you’ve confirmed you need professional help, calling your locked keys in car roadside assistance provider requires preparation. Having the right information ready speeds up the process and ensures the technician arrives with appropriate tools. Most providers can dispatch help within 30 to 60 minutes during peak hours, faster during quiet periods.
What information to prepare before calling
Your provider needs specific details to send the right assistance. Before dialling, gather your vehicle registration number, exact location with street address, and policy or membership number. Note nearby landmarks if you’re in a car park or unfamiliar area, as this helps the technician locate you quickly.
Describe your vehicle’s make, model, colour, and any distinguishing features when you call. Mention if you have keyless entry, as some vehicles require specialised unlocking tools. Explain whether you can see the keys inside and if they’re in the ignition, which affects the approach technicians use.
Accurate location details reduce wait times by helping technicians find you on the first attempt.
What to expect from the service
Professional locksmiths typically arrive with non-destructive entry tools designed to unlock vehicles without damage. They’ll verify your ownership through identification and registration documents before accessing your car. The process usually takes five to fifteen minutes once they arrive, depending on your vehicle’s locking system complexity.
How to avoid another lockout
Prevention saves you from needing locked keys in car roadside assistance in the first place. Simple habits and backup systems reduce lockout risk by over 90%, according to automotive security experts. Most people who establish these routines never experience a second lockout.
Establish a spare key system
Place a spare key in your wallet or attach a small key to your keyring that you can separate when needed. Hide this backup somewhere you’ll always have access, but never inside the vehicle itself. Many Australians keep a spare with a trusted neighbour, family member, or at their workplace, ensuring they can retrieve it within minutes during an emergency.
Consider installing a magnetic key holder under your vehicle as a last resort option, though this carries security risks. A better solution involves leaving a spare with someone who lives or works near your common routes.
Build exit habits that prevent lockouts
Develop a consistent routine before closing your car door. Touch your keys, feel them in your pocket, or hold them visibly in your hand every single time you exit. This physical check takes two seconds and prevents most lockouts.
Train yourself to never close a car door without keys in hand, turning prevention into automatic behaviour.
Set your keys on the car roof while loading shopping or children, making them impossible to lock inside. Modern keyless entry systems can still lock with the fob inside, so physical awareness matters regardless of your vehicle’s technology.
Make the next lockout easier
Getting locked out happens, but knowing how to use locked keys in car roadside assistance transforms frustration into a manageable inconvenience. You’ve learned the steps: assess the situation, try quick solutions, and contact your provider with the right information ready. The difference between waiting hours and getting help within 30 minutes comes down to preparation.
National Cover’s comprehensive car insurance includes 24/7 roadside assistance that covers lockout situations across Australia. You don’t pay extra callout fees, and our team dispatches professional locksmiths who arrive equipped to unlock your vehicle without damage. Beyond lockouts, our policies provide complete protection including accident coverage, theft protection, and lifetime warranties on repairs. Compare your current insurance at National Cover to see how much you could save while gaining better coverage. Having proper insurance means you’re never stranded without support, whether you’re locked out, broken down, or dealing with an accident.
