Will auto insurance pay for keys locked in a car?
While traditional auto insurance doesn’t cover keys locked in a car, roadside assistance does. Most roadside assistance companies will unlock your car once for you without a charge. If you do lock your keys in a car, you can try to unlock it yourself with a string, wedge, or other devices. You may also consider hiding a key on your vehicle just in case of being locked out.
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Justin Wright
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Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 27, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Traditional auto insurance doesn’t cover locking your keys in your car
- Roadside assistance will usually unlock your car for free at least once a year
- You can attempt to unlock your car yourself by using a string, a wedge, or other devices
If you’ve ever had your keys locked in a car before, you know that it can be frustrating and time-consuming. On top of that, traditional auto insurance doesn’t pay for your car to be unlocked.
If you are concerned about locking your keys in your car, adding roadside assistance will give you peace of mind. While many auto insurance companies offer the service, you can also obtain it from auto clubs.
Before you purchase roadside assistance, shop around. Each company will offer different coverages and rates.
Continue reading to find out what type of auto insurance will cover keys locked in a car. Enter your ZIP code now to compare free auto insurance quotes from companies that offer roadside assistance in your area.
What auto insurance covers keys locked in a car?
Full coverage auto insurance will cover damages to your vehicle, but it won’t unlock your car for you. Unfortunately, you are limited regarding who to call when keys are locked in the car.
While traditional auto insurance doesn’t cover a locksmith to unlock your car, roadside assistance can help. If you have roadside assistance on your policy, your insurance company can send a service out to assist you.
Most auto insurance companies offer roadside assistance, and you can also acquire coverage from auto clubs like AAA.
Which auto insurance companies offer the best roadside assistance? That depends on the coverage you want. Every company will offer different coverages, and most plans will include a locksmith and towing.
Rates will also vary. For example, Geico offers roadside assistance for as low as $14. However, rates can be as high as several hundred dollars a year for services like OnStar.
Keep in mind that each policy will have a limit of how many service calls you are allowed. For example, with AAA, keys locked in the car — or other service calls more than four times a year — will cost you extra.
If you often lock your keys in your car, consider other methods for getting back on the road again. While it’s a good idea to have roadside assistance for emergencies, you don’t want to depend on it often.
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How can you get in your car if the keys are locked inside?
You were in a hurry and wound up locking your keys in the car. Now what should you do? There are several things you can do to get your doors unlocked.
First, ensure that all of your doors are locked. There may be a door that didn’t lock properly or a window that’s rolled down. Be sure to check your vehicle before you do anything else.
If you are in a safe location, you can call roadside assistance to unlock your car. However, you should be prepared to wait, as it can take a while to get a service technician to your vehicle.
You can also call a locksmith yourself if you don’t have roadside assistance. However, a service call can be as much as $250.
If you have a service like OnStar, it can unlock your vehicle remotely. Having a friend or family member bring a spare key is also an option if you are close by.
Although learning how to get keys out of a locked car with automatic locks can be difficult, you can also try to unlock your door yourself. There are several methods out there on how to unlock a car without keys.
You can use a shoelace, a wedge, a bobby pin, a coat hanger, or even a spatula in an attempt to unlock your door. However, these items can damage your paint or your vehicle since many methods involve trying to pry your window down or your door open.
Calling the police for assistance should only be an option if you are unsafe or have locked a child or pet in the car. Otherwise, the police will not open your car for you.
How can you avoid locking your keys in a car?
If you’re concerned about locking your keys in your car — or you do so often — there are some steps you can take to avoid calling roadside assistance or trying to unlock the door yourself.
Follow these steps to avoid having your keys locked in a car:
- Consider buying a vehicle with an exterior keypad that unlocks the door. You can simply type in your code and the doors unlock.
- Hide a key on your vehicle using a magnetic box that requires a code. This protects your car from theft if the box is found by someone else.
- Have multiple extra keys made. Leave a copy at home, at work, and with family members and trusted friends.
- Some vehicles now come with an app that lets you perform certain functions remotely, such as unlocking the doors.
Perhaps the best way to avoid locking your keys in your car is to simply take your time. Most people forget their keys because they are in a rush. Before you shut your door, make sure that your keys are in hand.
Case Studies: Will Auto Insurance Pay for Keys Locked in a Car?
Case Study 1: Denied Coverage
John, a policyholder with Comprehensive Auto Insurance, locked his keys inside his car while rushing to a business meeting. Assuming that his insurance would cover the cost of a locksmith to open the vehicle, he filed a claim. However, John was disappointed to find out that his policy did not include coverage for locksmith services. As a result, he had to bear the expense of hiring a locksmith himself.
Case Study 2: Partial Reimbursement
Sarah, an auto insurance policyholder with Roadside Assistance coverage, faced a situation where she locked her keys inside her car. She reached out to her insurance provider for help, and a locksmith was sent to unlock her vehicle. Despite the assistance, Sarah realized her policy only covered a part of the locksmith’s fee, leaving her accountable for the remaining expenses.
Case Study 3: Full Coverage
Mark, with a comprehensive auto insurance policy, had a positive encounter when he locked his keys in his car. His policy’s locksmith coverage allowed him to request assistance without any out-of-pocket expenses, as the insurance fully covered the cost of the locksmith service.
Case Study 4: Additional Coverage
Emily, who had added “Lockout Protection” to her auto insurance policy, benefited from it when she locked her keys in her car. Contacting her insurance company resulted in a locksmith being sent to unlock her vehicle, with the entire cost covered by her policy, saving her from any out-of-pocket expenses.
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Auto Insurance that Covers Keys Locked in a Car: The Bottom Line
Standard auto insurance doesn’t cover you if your keys are locked in the car. You will need roadside assistance for a locksmith to be covered, but there is a limit to how many times you can use it.
You can also attempt to open the car door yourself using a variety of items such as a string, a wedge, or a screwdriver. However, those items can damage your vehicle in the process.
Consider adding a hidden key, having extra copies of your key made, or purchasing a car with an exterior keypad that unlocks your door.
Finding affordable auto insurance that covers your keys locked in a car isn’t difficult since most companies offer roadside assistance. Enter your ZIP code now to obtain free quotes from auto insurance companies near you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does auto insurance cover the cost of retrieving keys locked inside a car?
In most cases, auto insurance policies do not cover the cost of retrieving keys locked inside a car. Auto insurance typically provides coverage for damages and losses resulting from accidents, theft, or vandalism, but it does not typically extend to incidents like locking keys inside a car.
Are there any circumstances where auto insurance might cover the cost of retrieving locked keys?
While it is uncommon, some auto insurance policies may offer coverage for key-related incidents as an optional add-on or through specific coverage endorsements. It is best to review your insurance policy or contact your insurance provider directly to determine if such coverage is included in your policy.
If auto insurance does not cover retrieving locked keys, what are my options?
If you find yourself locked out of your vehicle, you may have a few options to consider:
- Roadside Assistance Coverage: If you have a roadside assistance policy, it may include services such as lockout assistance. Review your policy or contact your insurance provider to see if this coverage is available to you.
- AAA or Similar Memberships: If you are a member of an automobile club like AAA, they often provide lockout assistance as part of their membership benefits.
- Locksmith Services: Contacting a professional locksmith is a common solution for retrieving keys locked inside a car. Depending on your location and the locksmith you choose, there will be a cost associated with their services.
Can I file a claim with my auto insurance if my car is damaged during the process of retrieving locked keys?
If your car sustains any damage during the process of retrieving locked keys, it may be possible to file a claim with your auto insurance. However, it would typically be treated as a separate incident, and your deductible would apply. It is advisable to consult with your insurance provider to understand the specific details and requirements for filing such a claim.
Are there any preventive measures I can take to avoid locking my keys inside my car?
Yes, here are a few preventive measures to help you avoid locking your keys inside your car:
- Spare Key: Carry a spare key in your wallet or purse or leave one with a trusted friend or family member.
- Keyless Entry System: Consider using a keyless entry system that allows you to unlock your car using a code or smartphone app.
- Be Mindful: Develop a routine of checking for your keys before locking the car door or trunk.
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Justin Wright
Licensed Insurance Agent
Justin Wright has been a licensed insurance broker for over 9 years. After graduating from Southeastern Seminary with a Masters in Philosophy, Justin started his career as a professor, teaching Philosophy and Ethics. Later, Justin obtained both his Property & Casualty license and his Life and Health license and began working for State Farm and Allstate. In 2020, Justin began working as an i...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.