Will auto insurance pay for keys locked in a car?

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.

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.

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.