1. Check whether anyone is in danger
Call 911 immediately if a child, vulnerable person, or animal is trapped and in danger. Give your exact location and follow the operator’s directions. Do not wait for a routine roadside appointment in an emergency.
2. Check ordinary access without forcing anything
If it is safe, check whether another door is unlocked or a spare key is readily available. Avoid makeshift entry tools or forcing a window or lock. They can damage the vehicle and do not guarantee access.
3. Find your existing roadside instructions
Look for a benefit in your enrollment materials before hiring a separate provider. Eligible AAPP members should use their designated dispatch contact. If your benefit was provided by a partner business, keep that program’s name handy.
4. Describe the specific problem
Explain whether the keys are inside the vehicle, in the trunk, lost, or broken. Give the year, make, model, and location. Electronic keys and some locking systems may require a specialist. Have identification available if the provider needs to verify your authority to access the vehicle.
5. Confirm the service and any price
Ask whether the approved service is access only, and whether a replacement key or programming would cost extra. Stay reachable and ask dispatch for an update if needed. Afterward, retain your reference number and receipt. Response times and service availability vary.