Getting locked out of your car can be a jarring experience. Even if it just means locating a spare key in one of your many junk drawers, it can leave you frazzled. Consider the following tips to help be prepared and avoid less stress.

Take Quick Stock of Your Situation

Your location affects what you do next, whether you get locked out at your best friend's house or in the middle of nowhere at night. You may need to think fast if you aren't in a safe area. Here's what to consider first:

• Do you have a spare key? If you happen to have a lot of items floating around in the bottom of a purse, gym bag, etc., you might be surprised to find a spare car key in the deepest recesses.
• Does your car have another point of entry? An older car may offer alternate entry points, and a newer car may have a downloadable app to unlock the vehicle. For instance, you may be able to use a screwdriver to open the trunk if it's a hatchback. It's worth looking up the specifics of your vehicle's make and model ahead of time to be prepared.
• What are the implications of breaking into your car? It might be easy to look up a tutorial on breaking into a car with a wire hanger or piece of plastic, but the reality is that your vehicle may not respond in the same way as the tutorial. You can do more damage than you think and if necessary, contact a professional to help.

Call for Help

We recommend calling for help if at all possible. This may mean needing an emergency locksmith to help you get back in, but also consider contacting a roadside assistance service through your car insurance company.

If you feel unsafe while waiting for help, try to find the most secure place in the area to monitor. In the more drastic situations (e.g., near a busy highway, etc.), you may need to call a non-emergency hotline or even 911. No matter what the monetary fees are, your safety is always the highest priority.