How Emergency Dispatch Works
Step-by-step process when you call:
1. Call Emergency Line
📞 (602) 744-7531
Open 24 hours. Someone answers immediately (not voicemail).
2. Tell Dispatcher Your Situation
They'll ask:
- Where are you? (address or location)
- What happened? (locked out, lost keys, broken key, etc.)
- Home, car, or business?
-
Is anyone in danger? (kids/pets in car, unsafe area, extreme heat)
- Can you prove you own/live there? (ID, registration, etc.)
3. We Determine Priority Level
Based on safety concerns, we prioritize:
- Life safety: Immediate dispatch
- High-priority: Priority dispatch
- Standard: Normal dispatch queue
4. Dispatch Nearest Available Tech
We find the closest tech to your location and send them immediately.
You get:
- Estimated arrival time (ETA)
- Tech's name
- Description of service vehicle
- Direct number to call with questions
5. Tech Calls When En Route
Usually 5-10 minutes before arrival, the tech calls to:
- Confirm exact location
- Ask any specific questions
- Update ETA if traffic changes
6. Tech Arrives and Verifies
They'll check:
- Your photo ID
-
Proof you own/live at the property (registration for car, utility
bill for home, business card for office)
This protects you from someone pretending to be you and accessing
your property.
7. Service Completed On-Site
- Most lockouts: 5-15 minutes to open
- Key replacement: 20-45 minutes
- Other services: time varies
8. Payment and Done
Pay on-site with cash or card. You get a receipt. Done.
Total time from call to resolution: Usually 30-60 minutes for
most emergencies
Emergency Pricing & Payment
Do Emergencies Cost More?
Short answer: Same pricing as regular service for standard
emergencies.
Pricing:
- Home lockout: $85-$150
- Car lockout: $75-$125
- Business lockout: $95-$175
- Emergency rekeying: $95-$140 first lock
- Emergency key replacement: $150-$400 (depends on key type)
No surcharges for:
- Night calls (midnight to 6am)
- Weekend service
- Holiday service
- Standard emergency response
Same pricing 24/7 for lockouts and standard
emergency service.
Exception: Extremely remote locations (45+ minutes
from Phoenix metro) may have a trip charge. Dispatcher will mention
this upfront if applicable.
Payment Methods for Emergencies
We accept:
- Cash
- All major credit cards (Visa, MC, Amex, Discover)
- Debit cards
- Mobile payment apps (Venmo, CashApp, Zelle)
Payment is due on-site after service is completed
and you verify everything works.
Don't have cash or card? Tell the dispatcher. In
true emergencies (life safety, stranded, etc.) we'll work with you
on payment.
What To Do While Waiting
If Locked Out of Your Car in Phoenix Heat:
It's 115 degrees. Here's what to do:
-
Find shade immediately — Stand under a tree,
building overhang, or go inside a nearby business
- Stay hydrated — Get water if possible
-
Don't try to break window yourself — Let us
handle it (we have tools that won't shatter glass everywhere)
-
Stay near your car — Tech needs to verify it's
yours
-
Have your registration ready — Check if it's in
glove box visible through window
Kids or pets in car? This is LIFE SAFETY. Tell
dispatcher immediately. In extreme cases, call 911 first, then us to
help after emergency services arrive.
If Locked Out of Home at Night:
-
Stay safe — Don't wait in dark or isolated areas.
Walk to a lit area, nearby business, or neighbor's porch
-
Don't try to break in — You might hurt yourself
or damage your property more than a locksmith would cost
-
Have ID and proof of residence ready — Mail
addressed to you, utility bill, lease agreement
-
Tell dispatcher if you feel unsafe — We'll
prioritize your call
If Locked Out of Business:
-
Check for alternate entries — Back door, side
door (but don't force entry)
-
Notify employees if needed — Let staff know
you're delayed
-
Have business documents ready — Business card,
lease, utility bill in business name
-
Calculate lost revenue — Helps prioritize how
urgent this is
What NOT to Do:
-
Don't try to pick the lock yourself (you'll likely jam it worse)
- Don't try to break a window (expensive and dangerous)
- Don't call unlicensed "cheap" locksmiths (scams are common)
- Don't leave the scene if you're waiting for us
- Don't let someone else claim it's their property
Emergency Response Times by Area
How fast we arrive depends on where you are:
| Area |
Typical Emergency Response |
| Downtown Phoenix |
15–25 minutes |
| Central Phoenix |
20–30 minutes |
| Scottsdale |
20–30 minutes |
| Tempe |
20–30 minutes |
| North Phoenix |
25–35 minutes |
| Mesa |
25–35 minutes |
| Chandler |
30–40 minutes |
| Gilbert |
30–40 minutes |
| Glendale |
25–35 minutes |
| Peoria / Surprise |
30–40 minutes |
Life safety emergencies (kids/pets in car, medical
emergency) get fastest available response regardless of location.
Times shown are typical. Traffic, time of day, and
tech availability affect actual arrival. Dispatcher will give you a
realistic ETA when you call.
Special Phoenix Emergency Situations
Extreme Heat Lockouts (Summer)
Phoenix summer temperatures (110-120°F) make car lockouts
dangerous fast.
Heat exposure timeline:
- 10 minutes: Discomfort, thirst
- 20 minutes: Heat exhaustion risk
- 30+ minutes: Heat stroke risk
What we do:
- Prioritize all heat-related lockouts
- Faster response during peak heat hours (2pm-6pm)
- Tech carries water bottles
If you're overheating while waiting:
-
Get inside air conditioning ANYWHERE (store, restaurant, gas
station)
- Give dispatcher that address so tech can find you
- Stay near phone for tech's call
Monsoon Season Emergencies
Phoenix monsoon storms (July-September) can leave you locked out
in dangerous weather.
What we do:
- Prioritize lockouts during active storms
- Tech will work in rain to get you inside fast
-
Extra caution with electronic locks that might have water damage
If locked out during a storm:
-
Seek shelter immediately (under building overhang, inside nearby
business)
-
Stay safe first — being locked out beats being struck by lightning
- Tech will arrive as soon as safely possible
After-Hours Break-In Response
Someone broke into your home or business and you need immediate
rekeying.
What we do:
- Treat as high-priority (your security is compromised)
- Dispatch tech immediately
- Can rekey multiple doors on-site
- Usually 30-60 minutes to rekey entire home/small business
What you should do:
- Call police first (file report)
- Don't touch anything until police document
- Call us after police clear the scene
- We'll rekey so burglar's entry method won't work again
Cost: Emergency rekeying same as regular pricing
($95-140 first lock, $35-50 each additional)
Types of Emergency Services
We provide emergency response for:
Lockouts
- Home lockouts (any time of day/night)
- Car lockouts (keys locked inside)
- Business lockouts (office, retail, warehouse)
- Trunk lockouts (keys in trunk)
[→ See Automotive Locksmith Services]
[→ See Residential Locksmith Services]
[→ See Commercial Locksmith Services]
Lost Keys
- Car key replacement (cut and program on-site)
- House key replacement (using existing key or VIN)
- Business key replacement
[→ See Car Key Replacement Details & Pricing]
Broken Keys
- Key broke off in lock (extract and make new key)
- Key broke off in ignition (extract and replace)
- Damaged key not working (assess and replace)
Emergency Rekeying
- After break-in (make old keys useless)
- After losing keys (prevent unauthorized access)
- After employee termination (business security)
Lock Malfunctions
- Lock jammed and won't open
- Lock broken and door won't close
- Electronic lock failure
- Frozen or stuck lock mechanism