Car lockout service in Philadelphia: 24/7 auto unlock help
Locked out of your car in Philadelphia? Keys sitting right there on the driver’s seat, door closed, and you’re standing outside feeling like an idiot?
We’ve all been there. It happens to everyone. And we fix it fast.
We’re Ben Locksmith, and we unlock cars across Philadelphia 24/7. We come to you—wherever you’re parked—and get you back in your car without damaging anything. Usually in 15 to 30 minutes.
Center City parking garage? South Philly street? Your driveway? The lot at work? We’re on our way.
EMERGENCY: Child or pet locked in car
If your child or pet is locked in the car, this is life threatening. Call 911 first, then call us immediately at +1 267-585-6033.
We prioritize these calls above everything else. We drop what we’re doing and come to you immediately. We have the tools to unlock your car in under 2 minutes.
Do NOT wait. Do NOT try to break the window yourself unless instructed by 911.
Heat kills fast. Even on a mild 70 degree day, the inside of a car can reach 100 degrees in 20 minutes. On hot Philly summer days, it’s deadly within minutes.
We’ve handled these emergencies before. We know how serious they are. We move FAST.
Call NOW and we’re on our way. While we’re coming, follow 911’s instructions. Stay calm, keep talking to your child if they can hear you, and help is coming.
Common car lockout situations we handle every day
Keys locked inside the vehicle
The classic scenario. You set your keys down, shut the door, and realize what you just did. That sinking feeling hits immediately.
We see this constantly. You’re not alone. We use specialized tools to unlock your door without breaking windows or damaging the frame. Most vehicles we open in under 5 minutes once we arrive.
Locked out at work, already running late
You’re parked at your job in University City. You’re already 10 minutes late for a meeting. And your keys are locked in the car. Stress levels through the roof.
Call us. We understand time pressure. We dispatch fast, we drive fast legally, and we work fast. Get you unlocked and into that meeting.
Keys visible on the seat mocking you
The worst version. You can SEE your keys. Right there on the driver’s seat. Through the window. So close but completely inaccessible.
We feel your pain. Let’s get that door open and end the torture.
Locked out at night in an area where you don’t feel safe
It’s dark. You’re in a parking lot or on a street where you don’t feel comfortable standing outside for long. Your car is your safe space and you’re locked out of it.
This is common in Philadelphia. We get these calls often. We prioritize safety situations. Tell us you don’t feel safe and we move you to the front of the queue.
Locked out in bad weather
Pouring rain and you’re standing outside your locked car. Or it’s a freezing January night and you’re stuck in the cold. Or it’s 95 degrees in July and you’re baking.
Philly weather is brutal. We understand. We dispatch immediately and get you back inside your climate controlled car.
Just got home with groceries or shopping
You just did a huge grocery run. Bags in the trunk. You shut the doors. Keys are inside. Ice cream is melting. Frozen food is thawing. You’re panicking.
Call us now. We’ll be there before your groceries are ruined.
Locked out after a long day
You just worked a 12 hour shift. You’re exhausted. You want to go home. And you locked your keys in your car. This is the last thing you need.
We get it. You’re tired and frustrated. Let us handle this so you can finally get home and rest.
Rental car or borrowed vehicle
You’re driving a rental from the airport or borrowed your friend’s car. You locked the keys inside. Now you’re dealing with rental company policies or explaining to your friend what happened.
We unlock rental cars and borrowed vehicles all the time. Just verify you’re authorized to be in the vehicle and we’ll get you in.
What NOT to do when locked out
We’ve seen people make their lockout situation way worse by trying DIY solutions. Don’t be that person.
Don’t try coat hangers or slim jims
Yes, you saw it in a movie. No, it doesn’t work on modern cars. Car locking mechanisms have changed completely in the last 20 years.
You’ll scratch your paint, damage door seals, break interior trim pieces, or jam up the lock mechanism. Then you’re paying us to unlock it AND paying a body shop to fix the damage you caused.
Don’t try to pry the door open with tools
We’ve seen people try screwdrivers, crowbars, hammers. Stop. You’ll bend the door frame, destroy weather stripping, crack the paint, and create permanent gaps that leak water and air.
Fixing bent doors and damaged frames costs hundreds or thousands of dollars. Way more than just calling us in the first place.
Don’t break your window
That’s $200 to $400 to replace, depending on which window. Plus you’re driving home with a hole in your car. And if it’s raining or cold, you’re miserable the whole way.
Some people think “I’ll just break the small back window, those are cheap.” They’re not. And broken glass gets everywhere inside your car.
Call us first. We’ll get you in for way less money and zero damage.
Don’t call a tow truck
Tow trucks tow cars. They don’t unlock them. You’ll pay $75 to $150 for the tow, arrive at a shop, and guess what? You’re still locked out.
Some tow drivers carry basic unlock tools. Most don’t. And the ones who do aren’t specialists. They might damage your car trying.
Don’t wait and hope it resolves itself
It won’t. Your car will not magically unlock. Standing there staring at it doesn’t help. Getting more frustrated doesn’t help.
Just call us. We fix this problem 10 times a day. Let us do what we’re good at.
Why call us instead of roadside assistance?
Many people have AAA or roadside assistance through their insurance or credit card. That’s great. But here’s why calling us directly is often better.
We’re faster
AAA can take 45 to 90 minutes or more, especially during busy times. Weekends, holidays, bad weather. Their wait times get long.
We’re usually there in 15 to 30 minutes. We’re local to Philadelphia. We know the fastest routes. We prioritize based on urgency.
We’re specialists
We unlock cars all day, every day. It’s what we do. We have specialized tools for every type of vehicle and locking system.
Roadside assistance dispatches whoever is available. Often it’s a tow truck driver with basic tools and limited unlock experience. They might get you in. They might not. They might damage your car trying.
We answer our phone immediately
Call AAA and you’re in a phone tree. Press 1 for this, press 2 for that. Wait on hold. Explain your situation to someone far away who’s looking at a map.
Call us and you talk to a human immediately. We ask where you are, what vehicle, and we dispatch. No phone trees. No hold music.
We don’t damage your car
We specialize in damage free entry. We have the right tools and the experience to open your car without breaking, bending, or scratching anything.
Some contractors that roadside assistance dispatches use crude methods. Wedges that damage doors. Tools that scratch paint. Techniques that break interior parts. Then you’re dealing with damage claims.
We serve you directly
When you call roadside assistance, you’re a ticket number. When you call us, you’re a person who needs help and we’re coming to help you.
Use your roadside assistance if you want to. But if you need help NOW, or they can’t get there fast enough, call us directly.
Need a professional car lockout service near you? Give us a call
Whatever your locksmith needs, we’ve got you covered.
Our car lockout service process
You call, we dispatch immediately
Call +1 267-585-6033 or text us. Tell us where you are, what kind of vehicle, and what’s happening.
We give you a quote over the phone. No surprises later. We dispatch the nearest available technician to your location. We give you an estimated arrival time.
If you’re in an emergency situation—child in car, safety concern, extreme weather—tell us. We prioritize accordingly.
We arrive equipped and ready
Our technician arrives in a marked van with all the tools needed to unlock your specific vehicle. We verify you own or are authorized to access the vehicle. Standard security check.
We assess your car’s locking system and choose the best entry method. Different cars need different techniques. We know what works for your make and model.
We unlock your car without damage
We use professional locksmith tools designed specifically for car lockouts. Wedges, long reach tools, specialized unlocking devices. All designed to open cars without damaging anything.
Most cars we unlock in under 5 minutes once we’re working. Some take longer depending on the vehicle and security features. We work carefully and efficiently.
You watch the whole process. We explain what we’re doing. No mysteries.
You’re back in your car
We hand you your keys. We test the door to make sure it works properly and nothing was damaged. We check that your locks still function correctly.
We provide a receipt with warranty information. If somehow there’s an issue because of our work, we fix it. But that rarely happens because we know what we’re doing.
You drive away. Crisis over.
Why choose Ben Locksmith for your car lockout
We’re actually local to Philadelphia
We’re not a national call center dispatching random contractors. We’re a Philadelphia locksmith business. We know every neighborhood. We know the fastest routes. We know where to park to reach you quickly.
We’ve unlocked cars in every corner of this city. Tight South Philly streets with no parking. Underground Rittenhouse garages with complicated access. Temple campus parking lots. West Philly residential areas. The King of Prussia mall. Citizens Bank Park. 30th Street Station. Everywhere.
We answer 24/7
Lockouts don’t only happen during business hours. They happen at 2am. They happen on Christmas. They happen when you least expect it.
We answer our phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. You talk to us, not a voicemail. Not an answering service. Us.
We show up fast
Most Philadelphia locations we reach in 15 to 30 minutes. Sometimes faster if we’re already nearby. Emergency situations get priority dispatch.
We know fast matters. You’ve got places to be. You’re stressed. You want back in your car NOW. We understand that and we move accordingly.
For comprehensive emergency locksmith services across all situations, check our emergency locksmith page.
We won’t damage your car
We use professional non-destructive entry methods. We’ve unlocked thousands of cars. We know exactly what we’re doing.
No broken windows. No bent doors. No scratched paint. No damaged locks. We get you in cleanly and safely.
Our technicians are trained, licensed, and insured. If somehow we did cause damage—which basically never happens—we’re insured to cover it. But we’re careful and skilled, so damage doesn’t occur.
Transparent pricing, no surprises
We quote you the price over the phone before we come. You know what it costs before we arrive. That’s the price you pay when we’re done.
No hidden fees. No “oh by the way” charges. No surprise add-ons. Clear, honest, upfront pricing.
We handle all vehicle types
Domestic cars, foreign cars, luxury vehicles, older cars, newer cars with advanced security systems. We’ve worked on basically every make and model on Philadelphia roads.
Honda, Toyota, Ford, Chevy, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, Subaru, Nissan, Hyundai, Kia, Jeep, Dodge, Tesla. If it has doors and locks, we can open it.
For all automotive locksmith needs including key replacement and programming, visit our automotive locksmith services.
How much does car lockout service cost in Philadelphia?
Standard lockout during business hours
Most vehicles: $75 to $120 for straightforward lockouts during normal business hours on weekdays.
This covers our travel, expertise, tools, and time to unlock your car and get you back inside.
After hours service
Nights after 8pm, weekends, holidays: $100 to $150 for most vehicles.
After hours calls require technicians to be available outside normal schedules. The premium covers that availability.
Emergency priority dispatch
If you need someone RIGHT NOW and can’t wait even 30 minutes, emergency priority dispatch may add $25 to $50.
This moves you to the absolute front of the queue. We drop everything and come to you immediately.
Complex or luxury vehicles
Newer vehicles with advanced security systems or luxury brands with specialized locks: $125 to $175.
These vehicles require more sophisticated tools and techniques. They take more time to unlock safely.
Why professional unlock is worth it
Yes, it costs money. But compare our pricing to the alternatives:
Broken window: $200 to $400 to replace, plus you’re driving with a hole in your car until it’s fixed.
Damaged door frame or lock: $150 to $500+ to repair properly, plus potential rust and leak issues forever.
Damaged paint from DIY attempts: $300 to $1,000+ for paint and body work.
Tow truck that can’t actually help: $75 to $150 for nothing. You’re still locked out.
Professional unlock is the cheapest option that actually works. You’re back in your car in 30 minutes, nothing is broken, and you drive away.
Real lockout situations we've handled
Last month someone called us from the parking lot at Jefferson Hospital. They were visiting a family member. Long emotional day. Locked the keys in the car. Exhausted and just wanted to go home. We were there in 18 minutes. Unlocked in 3 minutes. They were on their way home.
A couple weeks ago we got a call at 2am from someone parked on a dark street in Fishtown. They didn’t feel safe standing outside alone at that hour. We moved them to priority. Got there in 15 minutes. Unlocked their car and they were safely on their way.
We’ve unlocked cars at Citizens Bank Park after Phillies games. At the King of Prussia mall during holiday shopping. In Center City parking garages during rush hour. At people’s homes in every Philadelphia neighborhood. At 30th Street Station. At the airport. In parking lots, driveways, streets, garages, everywhere.
We’ve done this thousands of times. Whatever your situation is, we’ve handled it before. Let us help you.
Service areas: We cover all of Philadelphia 24/7
We’re a mobile service. We come to wherever your car is located, any time of day or night.
Center City and downtown Philadelphia: Parked in a Rittenhouse Square garage? On the street in Washington Square? At work in a Market Street building? In a Chinatown lot? We’ll get there fast. We know downtown traffic patterns and parking access.
South Philadelphia: Tight residential streets, commercial corridors, sports complex parking. Bella Vista, Queen Village, Passyunk Square, East Passyunk, Pennsport, Point Breeze. We navigate South Philly streets all the time.
North Philadelphia: Temple University campus and surrounding areas, Fishtown, Fairmount, Northern Liberties, Poplar, Port Richmond, Brewerytown, Olde Kensington, Kensington. Student parking, residential streets, commercial lots. We know the area.
West Philadelphia: University City near Penn and Drexel, Powelton Village, Cedar Park, Spruce Hill. Campus parking, residential neighborhoods, medical district. We serve West Philly constantly.
Northeast Philadelphia: Mayfair, Frankford, Tacony, Bustleton, Fox Chase. Shopping centers, residential driveways, apartment complexes. We cover the Northeast.
Northwest Philadelphia: Manayunk, Roxborough, East Falls, Germantown, Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy. Hillside streets, residential areas, wherever you’re parked. We’ll get there.
Nearby suburbs and special locations: Bensalem, Cheltenham, Upper Darby, King of Prussia, and other nearby areas. We also come to airports, train stations, shopping malls, hospitals, office parks, and any other location in or near Philadelphia.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can you get to me?
Most Philadelphia locations we reach in 15 to 30 minutes from when you call. Sometimes faster if we’re already nearby. Sometimes longer if traffic is terrible or you’re far out.
We give you an honest estimated arrival time when you call. If something changes, we update you.
Will you damage my car?
No. We specialize in non-destructive entry. We have professional tools designed specifically for unlocking cars without causing damage.
We’ve unlocked thousands of vehicles without breaking windows, bending doors, or scratching paint. That’s what we’re good at.
Do you service all makes and models?
Yes, we service basically all domestic and foreign vehicles. Common makes like Honda, Toyota, Ford, Chevy, and luxury brands like BMW, Mercedes, Audi. Older cars and newer cars with advanced security.
If your vehicle is extremely unusual or rare, we’ll tell you upfront if we can handle it. But we can unlock 99% of what’s on the road in Philadelphia.
What if my keys are lost, not just locked inside?
We unlock the car first to get you access. Then we can discuss key replacement options. We can cut new keys, program key fobs, or arrange whatever key services you need.
Check our automotive locksmith services for complete key replacement and programming.
Do I need to show proof I own the vehicle?
Yes. We verify vehicle ownership or authorization before unlocking. Driver’s license, registration, or other proof that this is your car or you’re authorized to access it.
This protects you and protects against vehicle theft. Legitimate locksmiths always verify ownership.
What if I have roadside assistance through insurance or AAA?
You can use your roadside assistance if you prefer. They’ll dispatch someone eventually.
Or you can call us directly. We’re usually faster. We’re specialists. We give you direct personal service. Your choice.
Some people call their roadside assistance, get a 90 minute wait time, then call us for faster service. We’re here either way.
Can you unlock my car if the battery is dead?
Usually yes. Many modern cars with electronic locks can still be unlocked mechanically even with dead batteries. We have tools and techniques for these situations.
If the battery is completely dead and causing the lockout, we can also provide jump start services to get your car running again.
What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept cash, all major credit cards, and debit cards. We process payment after the job is complete. You’re back in your car before you pay.
Locked out right now? Call immediately
Don’t wait. Don’t try DIY fixes. Don’t stress.
Call or text us now. Tell us where you are, what vehicle, and what’s happening. We give you a quote and an estimated arrival time. Then we dispatch immediately.
Available 24/7. Nights, weekends, holidays. We answer the phone. We come to you. We get you back in your car.
Emergency situation? Child or pet in the car? Safety concern? Extreme weather? Tell us immediately and we prioritize your call.
Stop standing outside your locked car. Let’s get you back inside.
Fast response
Average 15-20 minutes response time
Local service
Serving Greater Philadelphia
24/7 Emergency
Always here when you need us