Yes, and that is most of the lockout calls we get. Usually the keys are sitting in plain view on the seat and it is a few minutes of work.
We can still get the door open. What we cannot do is make you a new one - cutting and programming keys, and repairing a damaged lock or ignition, are locksmith and dealer jobs.
Yes. It happens on older cars and on brand-new ones alike, even on models designed to prevent exactly that. We open it and get the keys out.
Usually it is obvious - you know exactly where in the car the keys are and what it looks like inside. When we want to be certain we ask for your license and the registration once the door is open, since the registration lives in the car. If something does not add up we call the police. That has happened, and the real owner was found within minutes.
As a rule, no. The one real risk is cars with very low, short side windows where there is barely any room for the air wedge and the glass can crack under pressure. On those we work slowly and tell you about it up front.
Drive time plus 5-10 minutes to get moving. If we are finishing another job we tell you the honest wait first.
