Will Auto Insurance Pay for a Locksmith?
Last Updated on October 27, 2023
Will your car insurance policy cover a locksmith? Or do you need to pay for a locksmith out of pocket?
In this article, we’re explaining everything you need to know about whether auto insurance covers a locksmith.
Key Takeaways:
- Car insurance will typically cover the cost of a locksmith only if you have roadside assistance coverage.
- If you don’t have roadside assistance coverage, you’ll need to pay the locksmith out of pocket and cannot claim this cost on your insurance.
- Many insurance companies connect policyholders with reputable locksmiths, and some may require you to use their recommended locksmiths for reimbursement.
- Locksmith services’ costs can vary based on circumstances, and if covered by insurance, there’s usually a limit to how much is reimbursed.
- Roadside Assistance Coverage and Locksmiths
- What Happens If I Don’t Have Roadside Assistance Coverage?
- How Does Roadside Assistance Coverage Work?
- Your Insurance Company Will Connect You with a Reputable Locksmith
- How Much Does a Locksmith Cost?
- How Much Will Insurance Cover?
- You May Be Required to Pay the Locksmith Directly
- Most Common Reasons to Get Locked Out of a Vehicle
- Final Word on Locksmiths and Auto Insurance
Roadside Assistance Coverage and Locksmiths
Car insurance will only cover the cost of a locksmith if you have roadside assistance coverage.
Roadside assistance coverage covers flat tires, towing, battery jumpstarts, vehicle extractions, emergency fuel delivery, and other similar types of roadside breakdowns. If you need to call someone to your location for help, then roadside assistance coverage may cover the cost.
Typically, roadside assistance only costs a few dollars per month. It’s a cheap and easy bonus coverage option to add to your car insurance policy.
Progressive’s Roadside Assistance program, for example, offers 24/7 lockout services provided by Agero. It can easily be added to your personal auto insurance policy. State Farm offers “Emergency Road Service,” which also covers the cost of a locksmith. State Farm, however, will not cover the cost of the locksmith directly, but the company will reimburse you for how much you paid to the locksmith. Other major car insurance companies have similar roadside assistance plans, including Liberty Mutual, GEICO, USAA, Allstate, Erie, American Family, Amica, MetLife, Safeco, Fred Loya, and AAA.
Urgent.ly offers on-demand roadside assistance services, including locksmith services. If your current auto insurance provider does not pay for a locksmith, you should check out an on-demand provider such as Urgent.ly that offers this service.
What Happens If I Don’t Have Roadside Assistance Coverage?
If you don’t have roadside assistance coverage, then car insurance might still cover you. Certain unique car insurance policies might still pay for a locksmith.
Typically, however, you’ll need to have roadside assistance to be covered for locksmith services.
If you don’t have roadside assistance coverage, then you can still call a locksmith to your location. However, you will need to cover the cost out of pocket. You will not be able to make an insurance claim to cover this cost. You will pay the locksmith directly before.
How Does Roadside Assistance Coverage Work?
Roadside assistance coverage is a car insurance add-on that covers the cost of certain roadside assistance items.
If you break down on the side of the road, for example, and you need to call someone to help, then you might call roadside assistance and make a claim under your roadside assistance coverage.
Some of the things typically covered under roadside assistance include:
- Flat tires
- Vehicle lockouts
- Winching
- Towing
- Battery jumpstarts
- Emergency fuel delivery (say, if you run out of gas)
Most roadside assistance coverage options have certain limits. They only cover roadside assistance up to 50 miles, for example. If your car needs to be towed more than 50 miles, then car insurance may only cover part of your claim.
Meanwhile, with locksmiths, most roadside assistance coverage options will cover the entire cost of the locksmith.
Your Insurance Company Will Connect You with a Reputable Locksmith
Another advantage of roadside assistance coverage is that your insurance company will connect you with a reputable locksmith. Your insurance company has a list of approved locksmiths in your area. When you call your insurance company for help, they’ll recommend specific locksmiths.
In fact, some insurance companies actually require you to use a locksmith they recommend. At the very least, your insurance company will require you to use a certified or licensed locksmith.
If you use a different locksmith, or if your locksmith is unlicensed, then your insurance company may refuse to reimburse you.
How Much Does a Locksmith Cost?
Locksmiths can be expensive, depending on where you live. A typical locksmith appointment will cost you at least $50. If you need to hire a locksmith to open your car door, then it shouldn’t cost more than $100.
Of course, locksmith prices can vary widely. If you’re locked out of your car in the middle of the night, for example, then you might pay a premium for a 24/7 emergency locksmith.
Or, if you have a car with a unique make and model, then you might pay a premium for a locksmith. Certain new cars or foreign cars have advanced locking systems that require advanced locksmith services.
Of course, you might also pay significantly more for a locksmith if the locksmith needs to travel a long distance. If you lock yourself out of your vehicle while camping in the wilderness, for example, and a locksmith needs to travel hours to reach you, then you’ll pay significantly more for the locksmith.
If you need to call a locksmith because you lost your keys, you’ll also need to consider the cost of key replacement. Sometimes your insurance will cover key replacement, but if it does not, you will have to pay out-of-pocket.
How Much Will Insurance Cover?
If your car insurance policy has locksmith coverage, then you should be covered for around $100 of locksmith service.
However, insurance policies can vary widely. Some insurance policies only cover $50 or $75 of locksmith services, for example. Some insurance policies only cover locksmith services in certain situations.
For all of these reasons, it’s crucial to check your car insurance policy and verify when and how locksmith service is covered.
You May Be Required to Pay the Locksmith Directly
Most locksmiths prefer to get paid by the customer directly.
If your locksmith is requesting payment, then it’s important to get a detailed invoice for the work the locksmith performs on your vehicle.
You will need to submit this invoice to your insurance company to receive reimbursement.
Most Common Reasons to Get Locked Out of a Vehicle
Do you think you’re too smart to get locked out of your vehicle? That’s what every driver thinks – until they get locked out.
Here are some of the most common reasons to get locked out of your vehicle:
- The keys are locked in the car
- You lost your car keys
- The key fob battery is dead
- The key fob is faulty
- Someone tried to steal your vehicle
- The wrong key was inserted into the lock
- The lock or key is worn out or jammed
- The key is worn down
- There is a broken key or other object stuck in the car lock
If you can see yourself getting into the situations above, then you may want to add roadside assistance to your car insurance policy.
Final Word on Locksmiths and Auto Insurance
Getting locked out of your car is never fun. Waiting around for a locksmith is even less fun.
Fortunately, many car insurance policies will cover the cost of hiring a locksmith – including any policy with roadside assistance coverage. Check your car insurance policy to determine if you have locksmith coverage – including how much it covers.