Will car insurance pay for a locksmith?

Locking your keys in your car can be a nightmare. So what do you do when this happens?

Will car insurance pay for a locksmith? What does a liability insurance policy cover, and is a locksmith included? What are average locksmith car insurance rates? What is the best locksmith car insurance company?

Read this article to answer your locksmith car insurance coverage questions.

If you’re ready to shop for affordable locksmith car insurance coverage, take a moment to enter your ZIP code in our tool to start comparing rates today.

Does car insurance cover a locksmith?

Will my car insurance policy cover a locksmith? Standard car insurance does not include coverage for a locksmith.

However, you can purchase roadside assistance insurance coverage, which does usually include coverage for a locksmith. Some auto insurance policies also include re-keying if you’re unable to find your keys.

Roadside service covers more than locksmith services. It also often includes towing services, mechanical breakdown assistance, battery jump-starts, fuel delivery, flat tire replacement, and more.

Keep reading to find out where you can buy locksmith car insurance and how much it will cost.

How much does roadside assistance cost, and where can you buy it?

Roadside assistance locksmith car insurance quotes will vary and can cost anywhere from $5 to a few hundred dollars per year for coverage.

Most major insurers and companies like AAA offer roadside assistance, though coverage options vary by company.

And most auto insurance companies won’t sell you roadside assistance coverage unless you also have collision and comprehensive insurance on your policy.

Some examples of the variety between company offerings include,

• Liberty Mutual – lockout service is limited to $50 (anything beyond that you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket); the policy also includes tows of up to 100 miles, among other services
• Progressive – free lockout service, tows of up to 15 miles, and other services
• USAA – free lockout service, tow to the nearest repair location, and other services

USAA covers a locksmith for keys in a car through its roadside assistance program. In addition to locksmith services, it also covers jump starts, flat tire changes, and gas delivery. If you don’t have roadside assistance, USAA won’t cover a locksmith if you get locked out of your car. You will have to call a locksmith and pay out of pocket. 

In the case of State Farm, the company will reimburse you for the cost of the locksmith. It’s important to note that a roadside assistance claim through State Farm’s Emergency Road Service program will not result in an insurance rate increase. In addition to locksmith services, State Farm’s roadside assistance coverage will pay for tow truck, tire change, gas refill, and other roadside needs. However, if your insurance plan does not have this type of coverage the company will not cover the retrieval of locked keys in the car. 

Check with your insurance company to find out if filing auto insurance claim under a roadside assistance program will count against you and negatively affect your rates.

Some insurance companies have specific requirements regarding which locksmith services you can use, so if you find yourself stranded with your keys locked inside your car, your first step should be to call your insurance company.

What if you don’t have roadside assistance?

If you don’t purchase roadside assistance through your insurance company, you may be able to buy coverage through a credit card or cell phone plan. You can also purchase a AAA membership, even if you aren’t insured through the company.

Your vehicle warranty may include some form of roadside assistance as well. Speak with providers to find out if locksmith services are included.

There are also some states, like Massachusetts, that have state-funded roadside assistance programs.

This typically includes individuals who patrol assigned routes and help drivers who run out of gas, have a flat tire, etc. You’ll need to check with your state to determine if this service is available and what it includes.

If you have no roadside assistance coverage of any kind, you’ll have to pay for the locksmith out-of-pocket, with no reimbursement.

The Bottom Line: Will car insurance pay for a locksmith?

The answer to the question, “does my insurance cover a locksmith?”, is it depends on your coverage. Standard full coverage doesn’t typically include locksmith services.

However, if you have roadside assistance coverage through your insurance company, credit card company, cell provider, or auto club, you’ll likely have coverage for locksmith services.

Shop around and compare multiple locksmith car insurance quotes by entering your ZIP code in the free tool on this page.