Locked keys in car

[cyguytillidie]

My a really stupic move and locked my keys in my car at the Ames mall. Tried calling the Ames police, who said they don't unlock doors. I then called the tow place who said $50 +tax.

My dad is coming up for the KU game and can unlock my car then but we're suppose to get a lot of snow between now and then, which makes me nervous about getting towed. Leading to my question of...

***Who should I talk to to get my car unlocked for a small fee or free? I was thinking mall security, maybe the campus police.

Thanks for any help in advance.

Also please don't try and steal my car.

 

[CyOps]

Most locksmith company employees moonlight. If you can connect directly to an employee you might get a discount. ISU is an engineering school, I always knew at least three people who could get into anything (car, padlock, laundromat washers and dryers, houses). Then again, I was a lot of things before I was an engineer. Locks are not as complicated as most people think. Car alarms are.

 

[ajk4st8]

I cant imagine anyone doing it for less than 25 bucks. I would just eat the extra 25 bucks and get it done.

 

[acrozier22]

Call an Iowa Hawkeye football player. They could probably do it for you.

 

[cyclonedave25]

I locked my keys in my car one time and my spare was a POS and wasn't working for some reason, so I went to a dealership and they cut me a new spare key. I just needed the VIN and my driver's license. I can't remember how much it cost, but I would say somewhere in the neighborhood of $10.

 

[Benny34]

The University Police might do it. They opened my car for free but it was on campus and a couple years ago...

 

[Iastfan112]

I locked my keys in my car one time and my spare was a POS and wasn't working for some reason, so I went to a dealership and they cut me a new spare key. I just needed the VIN and my driver's license. I can't remember how much it cost, but I would say somewhere in the neighborhood of $10.

Ya a key just to get in to the car isn't too expensive. For newer vehicles, however, if you need a new key to START the car when your brother has keys in his pockets on a riding lawn mower and proceeds to lose, then mangle them in the blades, its a pricier proposition. Factor in the fact it had remote unlock and I was sorta ******.

 

[M3MEPLEASE]

I'm pretty sure Ames police don't take calls for locked vehicles unless there is a child inside. I know other Iowa cities like West Des Moines PD will take the calls and attempt to unlock your car at no charge.

 

[temperflare]

Some auto insurance companies offer lockout as part of their coverage under roadside assistance. You might want to inquire about it with your current insurer or shop around for an insurer that offers it with or without full coverage. I know of two.

 

[Colossus]

Mine fell out of my pocket while snowblowing my drive on the first snow last year. I didn't find them until April! Just go to a dealer, that's what I did. Now I always keep a spare at home just in case.

 

[Scott34]

Some auto insurance companies offer lockout as part of their coverage under roadside assistance. You might want to inquire about it with your current insurer or shop around for an insurer that offers it with or without full coverage. I know of two.

I also know that my Verizon account has roadside assistance on it as well. I have used it once before and worked just fine. I also know that US Callular has it as well. So I would maybe look into that as well.

 

[RING4CY]

Triple A maybe?

 

[capitalcityguy]

Whatever you do, get it taken care of because paying for a tow is going to be a lot more expensive than paying a locksmith.

 

[simply1]

I'm pretty sure Ames police don't take calls for locked vehicles unless there is a child inside. I know other Iowa cities like West Des Moines PD will take the calls and attempt to unlock your car at no charge.

Too busy Fighting Gotham city crime!

 

[brianhos]

Just pay the $50. That seems really reasonable for the service offered.

 

[CycloneYoda]

AAA. Join now.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Call an Iowa Hawkeye football player. They could probably do it for you.

The only problem with that assertion is it costs less to hire someone to unlock your car than it does to hire someone to replace your windshield...

 

[CYdTracked]

If you know someone with AAA have them be with you at the car when they come to unlock it. AAA membership is driver-specific coverage not car specific so as long as the AAA member is physically with the car it's covered under their membership. My wife had it before we got married and I had to use it for a tow once which came in pretty handy.

 

[Cyforce]

spend the 50 and get a hide a key.
risking the tow isn't worth it

 

[Wesley]

Get Onstar.:swoon: