Locked Out Tourists In Florida: Steps To Take To Get Back Into Your Rental Vehicle
It happens to everyone--you get locked out of a new or unfamiliar vehicle and then you are stuck. When you are visiting Florida as a tourist and you are locked out of your rental vehicle, what do you do? It is not as though the car belongs to you or you actually know someone you can call for help. Here are some steps you can take and some helpful hints to know in case your vacation is suddenly halted by a vehicle lockout.
1. Call the Car Rental Place
Chances are, you are probably in Florida to visit any one of the theme parks or attractions and you probably picked up your rental vehicle the minute you got off the plane. Call the rental agency where you got the car and explain the situation to them. Many rental agencies frequently duplicate keys for this very reason, and they may be able to drive to your location with a spare set and unlock the vehicle for you.
2. Ask the Car Rental Place for the Name of a Trusted Auto Locksmith
If the car rental place does not have a spare set of keys they can use to get you back into the vehicle, ask them for the name of an auto locksmith, such as Autolock Solutions. They probably have one or two on speed dial for these situations. You do not want to call any locksmith out of the blue, nor do you want to have a lockout service performed without first informing the rental agency that you were locked out.
3. Utilize Your Roadside Assistance Plan or Insurance
If you have a roadside assistance plan (e.g., AAA) or your car insurance covers lockouts on rental vehicles, then call these agencies once you have spoken to the rental agency. The particularly nice thing about these plans is that they will provide service to you no matter where you are located or what car you are currently driving. Usually the company that provides these services to you will locate a locksmith or towing company close to you. Then you do not have to find your own lockout help while you are on vacation in another state.
4. Contact Security for the Park or Attraction Where Your Rented Vehicle Is Located
As an added measure of safety, and one which could also garner you some lockout assistance, contact security for the place where your rental car is parked. For instance, if your vehicle is in a lot at Disney World, contact the security office there, explain the problem to the guards, and ask them if they can keep an eye on the vehicle for you until you can get back into it. Although it should be relatively secure, damage to the exterior of the vehicle by vandals or would-be thieves is still a possibility. The guards may also be able to jimmy open your car for you or put you in touch with someone the park uses for situations like this.