Man, I hear you on those valet keys. Mine looks like it’s made out of recycled soda cans—just waiting for it to snap in half when I actually need it. I used to swear by those magnetic boxes too, until I realized I’d just be giving some lucky raccoon a new chew toy. Roadside help is definitely the way to go... at least they don’t ask you to crawl under your car in the rain.
I’ve always wondered—does anyone actually use those valet keys for anything besides losing them in a drawer? Mine’s so flimsy I wouldn’t trust it to open a can of soup, let alone my car. With roadside help, do they just pop the lock or do they have some magic trick for newer cars with all the anti-theft stuff? I keep hearing mixed things about how easy it is for them to get you back in.
Title: Little-known trick with Progressive’s roadside help
I used to think the valet key was just a weird leftover from the 90s, like those little plastic tabs on soda cans. Mine’s been living in my glovebox for years, untouched and probably feeling neglected. But last winter, I actually had to use it—locked myself out at a gas station, phone inside, keys inside, the whole embarrassing package.
Progressive’s roadside guy showed up and, get this, he asked if I had a valet key. I handed it over, expecting him to laugh at how flimsy it looked, but he just popped it into the door and opened it right up. Apparently, with some newer cars, the valet key is still the easiest way in if you’re locked out, since a lot of the “magic tricks” (like those air wedges and rods) don’t work as well with modern anti-theft stuff. He said some cars will even set off the alarm if you use the valet key, but at least you’re back inside and can turn it off.
Funny thing is, he told me a lot of people lose their valet keys or don’t even know what they’re for. I guess I was lucky mine was still around. He also mentioned that for push-to-start cars, if you lose all your keys, it’s a much bigger headache—sometimes they have to tow you to the dealer because there’s no way to program a new fob without the original.
I wouldn’t trust my valet key to do anything heroic, but it did save me from freezing my butt off that day. I guess it’s one of those things you forget about until you really need it. Roadside help is great, but sometimes the old-school backup comes through in a pinch.
Valet keys are the unsung heroes, right? I always tell folks to keep track of them, but most just toss them in a drawer and forget. Funny how the “backup” key ends up being the MVP when tech fails. Modern cars are great—until you’re locked out in the cold.
Yeah, valet keys are clutch when tech goes sideways. I’ve had to use mine more than once after my fob battery died—nothing like standing in the rain, realizing you actually need that “dumb” key. People forget about them until it’s too late. Honestly, I just keep mine taped under the seat. Not the safest, but beats being stranded.
