Will AAA Help If I Locked My Keys in My Car?

Last Updated on July 19, 2023

If you lock your keys in your car, then you can contact AAA for emergency locksmith services to regain entry.

AAA provides automotive locksmith service as part of its standard roadside assistance package. If you have any type of AAA subscription, then you can access AAA’s vehicle lockout service at no extra charge to retrieve keys in your vehicle.

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about AAA’s vehicle lockout service and how it works.

Table of Contents:

How AAA’s Vehicle Lockout & Key Services Work

All AAA subscription plans include vehicle lockout and key services.

If you lock your keys in your car or cannot open your vehicle for any other reason, then you can contact AAA for emergency locksmith service. The technician will unlock your vehicle and allow you to retrieve your keys at no additional charge.

Some of the reasons to contact AAA’s locksmith services include the following:

In all of these situations, AAA will dispatch an emergency technician to your location to help you gain entrance to your vehicle.

AAA Vehicle Lockout Services Pricing & Added Costs

AAA’s vehicle lockout service is free of charge regardless of whether you have AAA Plus, Plus/RV, Premier, or Premier/RV.

All subscription tiers include complimentary vehicle lockout service to regain entry to your vehicle, assuming you locked your keys in your vehicle and your keys can start your vehicle.

If the locksmith needs to repair your key, or if the locksmith cannot gain access to your vehicle, then you may need to pay to repair or replace your key. In this situation, you pay the locksmith out of pocket, and then AAA reimburses you up to $50 or $100 (depending on your subscription tier) for the locksmith services.

Here’s how AAA’s vehicle lockout services work for cost and pricing:

  • AAA will dispatch a technician to your location to regain access to your vehicle at no extra charge to you
  • AAA includes complimentary vehicle lockout service on all subscription tiers at no added cost, including AAA Plus, Plus/RV, Premier, and Premier/RV
  • If your keys are lost or broken, or if the service provider cannot gain access to your vehicle, then AAA will provide reimbursement for auto locksmith service; AAA provides up to $50 of reimbursement for AAA Basic members and up to $100 of reimbursement for AAA Plus, Plus/RV, Premier, and Premier/RV members
  • If your vehicle is inoperable, then AAA will cover the cost of towing your vehicle to a service facility based on the terms of your subscription; AAA roadside assistance plans cover 10 to 100 miles of towing, depending on your tier
  • If you are a AAA Premier or Premier/RV member, then you also receive one complimentary home locksmith service for the year, valued at up to $100

Overall, AAA’s lockout and key services help you regain access to your vehicle at no additional charge. And, if you need to repair or replace your keys, then AAA will provide compensation for additional locksmith services, partially or wholly covering the cost of locksmith services (up to $50 or $100, depending on your subscription tier).

AAA Doesn’t Cover All Auto Locksmith Services

AAA covers standard locksmith appointments. However, AAA does not cover all situations requiring a locksmith.

AAA does not cover the following locksmith services:

  • Ignition mechanisms
  • Making keys for vehicles with dealer tags
  • Door keys or duplicate keys
  • Locking lug nuts or locking hub caps
  • Steering wheel clubs
  • Trunk keys

If you lock your keys in the trunk and cannot operate the trunk release, for example, then AAA will apply its towing provisions to your situation.

AAA Subscription Tiers & Pricing

AAA offers three subscription tiers ranging from $59 to $119 per year.

All three AAA subscription tiers cover vehicle lockouts at no extra charge. If you are locked out of your vehicle and have AAA roadside assistance, then AAA will dispatch a technician to your location to regain entry at no extra charge.

However, AAA may provide different compensation for locksmith services (say, for broken or missing keys) based on your subscription tier. If your vehicle is inoperable even after the technician regains entry, then AAA provides different levels of towing coverage.

Here’s how AAA subscription tiers break down:

Basic Membership ($59 Per Year)

  • Free towing to the contractor’s station or to a repair facility within 10 miles
  • Flat tire changes
  • Battery boost
  • Fuel delivery (at pump price)
  • Up to $50 in vehicle lockout service reimbursement
  • Up to $500 in auto theft reward
  • Up to $250 in trip interruption
  • Complimentary vehicle extrication for one truck and one driver
  • Up to $50 in legal defense
  • $100,000 of travel accident insurance coverage

Plus Membership ($89 Per Year)

  • 100 miles of towing
  • Flat tire changes
  • Battery boost
  • Free fuel delivery
  • Up to $100 in vehicle lockout service reimbursement
  • Up to $1,000 in auto theft reward
  • Up to $500 in trip interruption coverage
  • Complimentary vehicle extrication for two trucks and two drivers
  • Up to $100 in legal defense
  • $300,000 in travel accident insurance coverage

Premier ($119 Per Year)

  • 200 miles of towing
  • Flat tire changes
  • Battery boost
  • Free fuel delivery
  • Up to $100 in vehicle lockout services
  • Up to $1,500 in auto theft reward
  • Up to $1,500 in travel accident insurance coverage
  • Complimentary vehicle extrication for two trucks and two drivers
  • Up to $300 in legal defense
  • $300,000 of travel accident insurance coverage
  • Car rental reimbursement
  • Access to travel concierge services
  • Home lockout service (includes one complimentary home lockout service per year)

All memberships are also subject to a $10 enrollment fee.

What to Do When Locked Out of Your Vehicle

If you are locked out of your vehicle, then don’t panic. You purchased AAA specifically for situations like this.

Here are the steps AAA recommends taking when locked out of your vehicle:

  • Do not call the police (unless it’s an emergency)
  • Double-check each door to verify you are genuinely locked out before you call for help
  • Call a friend to help you get your spare key, if possible
  • Call AAA roadside assistance, confirm your location, and request assistance

After you tell AAA where you are, AAA will dispatch a service provider to your location. That service provider will unlock your vehicle at no extra charge to you. Your plan includes 3 to 5 complimentary service calls per year. If a locksmith is required (say, if your key is broken or missing), then AAA provides additional reimbursement based on your membership level.

Final Word

Yes, AAA will help if you locked your keys in your car. At no extra charge, AAA will dispatch a technician to your location to regain entry to your vehicle.

If your keys are broken, missing, or need to be replaced for any reason, then AAA will cover locksmith services up to $50 (for Basic members) or $100 (for Plus and Premier members).

To learn more about AAA’s vehicle lockout service and locksmith coverage, contact AAA or check your plan documentation today.

James Shaffer
James Shaffer James Shaffer is a writer for InsurancePanda.com and a well-seasoned auto insurance industry veteran. He has a deep knowledge of insurance rules and regulations and is passionate about helping drivers save money on auto insurance. He is responsible for researching and writing about anything auto insurance-related. He holds a bachelor's degree from Bentley University and his work has been quoted by NBC News, CNN, and The Washington Post.
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