Yes. Most professional tow truck companies offer car lockout service as part of their standard roadside assistance, and they can typically unlock a modern vehicle in 5-15 minutes from the moment they arrive on scene. For drivers who’ve locked keys in their car, calling a tow company is often the fastest and most affordable option — frequently cheaper and more available than a locksmith.
That said, there’s a lot of confusion around car lockouts. People aren’t sure who to call, what it costs, whether their car will be damaged, or what to do while they wait. This guide answers the most common questions about car lockouts: when to call which service, how much it actually costs, whether DIY methods are worth trying, and how to prevent lockouts in the future.
Roger at Caliber Towing has handled thousands of lockout calls over 11 years in the towing industry, serving Cheatham County and the greater Nashville area. Here’s what works.
How Tow Trucks Unlock Cars
Modern car lockout tools are professional equipment designed specifically for unlocking vehicles without damage. The standard kit includes:
- Inflatable air wedges that gently separate the top of the door from the frame
- Long-reach tools (rigid rods with hooks or grippers on the end)
- Window blocks to protect the glass during the process
- Sometimes a slim jim for older vehicles with mechanical lock posts
The process works like this: the operator inserts a thin, deflated air wedge between the door frame and the top of the door. Air is gently pumped into the wedge to create a small gap. Through that gap, the operator inserts a long rod and uses it to reach inside the vehicle — typically to press the electronic unlock button on the driver’s side door panel, hit the unlock button on the key fob if the keys are visible, or pull the manual lock post.
On most modern cars, the entire process takes 5-15 minutes. Damage is extremely rare when performed by a trained operator using proper equipment. Industry training emphasizes minimal pressure and proper technique specifically to avoid the kind of damage that DIY methods often cause.
Locksmith vs. Tow Truck: Which to Call
Most drivers default to calling a locksmith for car lockouts, but a tow truck company is often the better choice. Here’s how they compare:
Call a tow truck company when:
- Keys are locked inside the vehicle
- You need fast response time
- You want the lower-cost option
- It’s after hours or during a holiday
Call a locksmith when:
- You’ve lost your keys entirely and need a new one made
- The key has broken off in the lock
- The lock cylinder is damaged
- You need a transponder key reprogrammed
- The car has a high-security electronic lock system that requires specialized tools
For the most common scenario — keys visible inside the car, doors locked — a tow company will be faster, cheaper, and just as effective. Locksmiths are specialists, and you pay for that specialization. When you don’t need it, a tow operator can resolve the situation at a fraction of the cost.
How Much Does a Car Lockout Cost?
Industry averages for car lockout service in the United States in 2026:
- Tow truck lockout: $50-100 during business hours
- Locksmith lockout: $75-200 during business hours
- After-hours lockout (either): add 25-50% premium
- Holiday lockout: similar after-hours premium
- Specialty vehicle (Tesla, BMW with advanced security, etc.): may require locksmith and run $150-300+
If you have AAA, insurance roadside assistance, or a manufacturer roadside program, the lockout is typically covered with no out-of-pocket cost. Check your coverage before paying for service.
In the Middle Tennessee market, Caliber Towing lockout service typically runs $50-100 depending on time of day, location, and vehicle type. We quote the price before dispatch.
How Long Does a Lockout Service Take?
Total time has two components: response time (how long until help arrives) and service time (how long the actual unlock takes once they’re there).
Response time
In urban and suburban areas, expect 15-30 minutes for a tow company to arrive. Rural areas can stretch to 45-60 minutes. Locksmiths often have longer response times because there are fewer of them per area than tow operators.
Service time
Once the operator arrives, most lockouts take 5-15 minutes to resolve. Some factors that can extend the time:
- Specialty vehicles with advanced security systems
- Cars with frameless windows (some sports cars, convertibles, modern sedans)
- Newer vehicles with sealed door frames
- Bad weather that makes equipment less effective
In the rare case where the tow operator’s standard equipment can’t resolve the lockout, they’ll usually recommend a locksmith and may help you arrange one.
Should You Try to Unlock the Car Yourself?
Some DIY methods work. Most don’t, and several can cause expensive damage.
What sometimes works:
Check every door and the trunk first. People often try only the driver’s side. A passenger door, rear door, or trunk lid might be unlocked. On vehicles with fold-down rear seats, an unlocked trunk can provide access to the cabin.
Check your manufacturer’s app. Most cars from roughly 2018 onward support remote unlock through the manufacturer’s mobile app. Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Kia, Tesla, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, and others all offer remote unlock — sometimes for free, sometimes as part of a connected services subscription. If you’ve ever set up the app, it likely still works. This single feature has resolved lockouts before any service was ever dispatched.
Call OnStar or a similar connected vehicle service. GM vehicles equipped with OnStar can be unlocked remotely through customer service. Similar services exist for Hyundai Blue Link, Subaru Starlink, and others.
What rarely works on modern cars:
The shoestring method (looping a shoelace around an interior lock post) only works on older vehicles with manual lock posts that pull straight up. Modern vehicles use flush-mounted electronic locks that can’t be lifted this way.
The coat hanger method has the same problem. It can work on very old vehicles but is ineffective on modern cars, and it frequently damages door seals, electronics, or weather stripping in the attempt.
What you should never do:
- Don’t break a window unless someone or something inside is in immediate danger. A window replacement costs $200-700 — far more than a lockout service.
- Don’t pry the door with a screwdriver. You can bend the door frame, causing the door to never seal properly again.
- Don’t pour hot water on a frozen lock. You can damage the lock cylinder and door seals.
- Don’t try to pick the lock unless you actually know automotive locksmithing. The lock cylinders in modern cars are nothing like the simple pin tumblers shown in movies.
Emergencies: When to Skip the Tow Truck and Call 911
There’s one situation where you should not wait for a tow company or locksmith: a child, pet, or person locked inside a vehicle in dangerous conditions.
Call 911 immediately if:
- A child is locked in a car and the weather is hot or cold
- A pet is locked in a car and the weather is hot or cold
- Anyone inside the vehicle is unresponsive or in medical distress
- There’s smoke, fire, or other immediate danger
Police, fire, and EMS will respond immediately and have authority to break a window if necessary. A broken window is replaceable. A child or pet experiencing heatstroke is not. Don’t wait — call 911 first, then deal with the lockout after.
Preventing Future Lockouts
Once you’ve been locked out once, the goal becomes never doing it again. Practical prevention strategies:
Set up your manufacturer’s mobile app
This is the single most useful step. Once configured, your phone becomes a backup key. Most apps also let you locate the vehicle, honk the horn to find it, and start it remotely. Setup takes 10 minutes and is worth doing now, before you need it.
Designate a spare key holder
Give a spare key to someone you trust who lives or works nearby — a family member, neighbor, roommate, or close coworker. The 10 minutes it takes them to bring you the spare is much faster and cheaper than calling a service.
Use a metal spare key holder, but only for metal keys
Magnetic key holders attached under a bumper or inside a wheel well work for traditional metal-bladed keys. They do not work for modern key fobs, which aren’t designed for that level of exposure to weather, road salt, and vibration.
Use a key tracker
Apple AirTag, Tile, and similar Bluetooth trackers attached to your keyring can be located through your phone. They’re especially useful for finding keys that are inside the car when you’re looking at it from outside.
Build the habit
The most reliable lockout prevention is touching your keys before closing any vehicle door. It feels obsessive at first, then becomes automatic. The muscle memory genuinely works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a tow truck unlock my car?
Yes. Most professional tow companies offer car lockout service. They use specialized tools — air wedges and long-reach rods — to unlock modern vehicles without damage. The service typically takes 5-15 minutes and costs less than a locksmith for the same job.
Is it cheaper to call a tow truck or a locksmith for a lockout?
Tow truck lockout service is typically $50-100, while locksmith service runs $75-200 for the same job. If you only need the door unlocked and the keys are inside, a tow company is the more cost-effective choice. Locksmiths are worth the premium when you need a new key cut or programmed.
Will a tow truck damage my car when unlocking it?
When done by a trained operator with proper equipment, damage during a professional lockout is extremely rare. Modern lockout tools are designed specifically to avoid the door damage that DIY methods often cause. Any reputable tow company will inspect for pre-existing damage before starting and stand behind their work.
How long does it take for a tow truck to unlock a car?
From the time the operator arrives, most lockouts are resolved in 5-15 minutes. Total wait time including dispatch is typically 20-45 minutes in suburban areas, longer in rural areas or during peak times.
Can a tow truck unlock any car?
Most modern vehicles, yes. The main exceptions are specialty vehicles with advanced electronic security systems (some high-end European cars, certain Teslas, armored vehicles), vehicles with broken locks or damaged doors, and vehicles where the key has snapped off in the cylinder. In these cases, a locksmith is the right call.
Do tow truck companies offer 24/7 lockout service?
Most do, including most professional operators. After-hours service (typically 10 PM to 4 AM) often carries a small premium. Caliber Towing dispatches 24/7.
Will my insurance pay for a car lockout?
If you have the roadside assistance add-on through your auto insurance, lockout service is typically covered. AAA and manufacturer roadside programs also cover lockouts. Check your coverage before paying out of pocket.
What should I do if my key is locked in the trunk?
Most modern cars have a glow-in-the-dark trunk release inside the trunk and an electronic release in the cabin. If the keys are in the trunk but you can get into the cabin, use the in-cabin release. If you’re fully locked out, a tow company can unlock the door first, then you can open the trunk from inside.
Bottom Line
If you’re locked out of your car right now, a tow truck is almost always faster and cheaper than a locksmith. The job takes most operators 5-15 minutes, costs $50-100 in most markets, and won’t damage your vehicle when handled by a professional. Caliber Towing offers car lockout service across Cheatham County, the greater Nashville area, and Middle Tennessee. Call (615) 975-4187 or text us. We dispatch 24/7 and quote the price before we head out.
