No one plans to get locked out of their car, but accidents happen. Knowing this, it's a good idea to also know what you would do in the event of a lockout. This is also an important scenario to go over with other drivers in your household, particularly new teen drivers. The following tips can help you decide how to handle a lockout.

Tip #1: Always have a spare

It can be more time consuming and expensive to get a spare key made if you don't have the original to copy from. This is because you will likely have to get the key made at the dealership, which will have to look up your vehicle by the VIN number to find the key requirements. Instead, have at least one extra key made and keep it somewhere safe. Common locations are at home, with the other driver in the house, or at the office. This way, if you lose your key you are only dealing with a lockout and not the need for a new key as well.

Tip #2: Have a plan

It's a good idea to know what you will do in the event of a lockout. This means having certain information memorized or in an easy to location area. The reason for this is you may not have access to your cell phone if you are locked out because you left your bag in the car, for example. The two numbers to memorize are one to a lockout service and the phone number of the person that has your other key, if applicable. If you are worried that you won't be able to memorize them, purchase a magnetic key box (designed to be attached to the undercarriage of your car) and place the numbers inside. It's an auto theft risk to put an actual key in these boxes, but it's not risky to put emergency numbers in there. Just make sure they are either written on waterproof paper or sealed in a plastic bag before you place the numbers in the key holder.

A lockout is nothing more than a minor inconvenience if you know what to do. Just make sure you wait in a safe area, such as at a nearby business, as you await for your key holder or a lockout service to arrive. You will soon be on the road again because you took the time to plan.