Car Lockout

Car lockout service in New Orleans. No locksmith needed.

If your keys are locked in the car, you don't necessarily need a locksmith - and you almost certainly don't want to pay locksmith prices. Quick Tow New Orleans's drivers carry professional automotive lockout tools (long-reach kits, air wedges, lever sets) and unlock most non-electronic car doors in 5-10 minutes for a flat rate. For modern push-button-start vehicles where the key is locked inside and the car cannot detect it, we can still get the door open - and from there, you can usually drive away. This is what tow companies do every day; for the simple lockout, we're the right call, whether it's 3 a.m. in the French Quarter or a Tuesday afternoon in Metairie.

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Quick Tow New Orleans technician using a long-reach lockout tool to unlock a sedan in a New Orleans shopping center parking lot

What's included in this service?

Professional long-reach lockout kits for all major vehicle makes
Air-wedge and lever entry for tight or damaged door frames
Push-button-start vehicle lockouts (we get the door open, you grab the key)
Trunk-only lockouts and rear-hatch entry on SUVs and crossovers
Lockouts at home, in parking lots, on Bourbon Street, on the highway shoulder
If the key is broken in the ignition or door, we tow to a locksmith
If a window is broken or the lock is damaged, we coordinate with a glass company
Discretion and verification - we confirm you own the vehicle before opening

When do you need this service?

Keys locked inside the car at home, work, store, or restaurant
Keys locked in the trunk and the rear seat does not fold down
Push-button-start car with the key fob locked inside
Toddler or pet locked in the car (call 911 first, then us)
After a night in the French Quarter, keys locked in the car near Bourbon Street or a hotel garage
Key fob battery is dead and the manual key inside the fob is locked in the car
Working AAA card but the wait time is over an hour and you need to get home
After-hours and the locksmith wants a steep service-call price

What do homeowners ask about Car Lockout?

How much does a car lockout cost in New Orleans?

Quick Tow New Orleans's lockout service runs a flat rate for a standard call, quoted before we dispatch. Locksmiths in the New Orleans area often charge significantly more for the same service, with an after-hours upcharge on top. We charge the same rate day or night, weekday or weekend, no surcharges.

Are tow companies allowed to unlock cars?

Yes - it is a routine roadside service in Louisiana. We verify ownership (driver license and registration or a clear vehicle-to-driver match) before opening any door. We do not pick locks, we do not duplicate keys, and we do not work on cars where ownership is unclear. For an abandoned-vehicle situation, we follow the standard local recovery procedure.

What if I have a push-button-start car?

We can still open the door. Push-button-start vehicles use a key fob that has to be inside the car for the car to start, but the door lock itself is mechanical or uses a passive entry sensor. Either way, our long-reach tools open the door. Once the door is open, you grab the fob and start the car normally.

Can you make me a new key?

No - we open doors, we don't program keys. If your key is lost, broken, or stolen, the right call is an automotive locksmith or your dealer. We can open the door so you can reach your spare, but if there is no spare, you need a locksmith next.

What if a child or pet is locked in the car?

Call 911 first. Local police and fire will break a window if a child or pet is in danger from heat or distress, and Gulf Coast heat and humidity make that danger real fast. Once first responders are on scene, call us as a non-destructive backup - we may arrive in time to open the door without breaking a window. Never wait on us if a child is in immediate danger.

Will you damage my car?

We use professional automotive lockout tools designed not to damage paint, weatherstripping, or door electronics. In rare cases an air-wedge can leave a faint mark on weatherstripping that wipes off. We've opened tens of thousands of cars; the damage rate is effectively zero.