Does car insurance cover lost car keys?

Losing your car keys is both stressful and frustrating, and can also be quite expensive. Modern electronic key fobs are a whole lot more costly to replace than traditional keys, so a simple bout of forgetfulness could cost more than you think.

Compare your best option for replacing car keys and when car insurance covers lost car keys.

Are lost car keys covered by insurance?

Sometimes key replacement is included if you have comprehensive coverage or roadside assistance.

Not all comprehensive car insurance policies will cover lost car keys; some will include it as standard, some will offer it as an optional extra and others won’t cover it at all. With this in mind, check your policy documents to find out whether your insurer provides any coverage.

If your policy does cover lost keys, you’ll be covered up to a specified limit for the cost of replacing the keys or recoding the locks on your vehicle.

Some insurers will also provide protection for lost car keys as part of their roadside assistance package, for example by delivering a spare key or sending out an automotive locksmith.

What’s covered by replacement key insurance?

Car insurance policies that cover lost or stolen keys will usually provide coverage for the cost of:

• Replacing the keys
• Recoding the car’s locks
• Locksmith charges

It’s important to remember that coverage limits apply to lost or stolen car key benefits. For example, many insurers will pay a maximum benefit of $1,000, which may be enough to cover the cost of one replacement key but may not provide enough protection if you’ve lost both your electronic keys.

If you add optional roadside assistance to your policy, you’ll usually be covered for spare key delivery or locksmith attendance when required.

Does it matter if my keys are lost or stolen?

While lost car keys aren’t necessarily covered by car insurance, most policies will provide some coverage if your keys are stolen.

Comprehensive insurance generally includes coverage for stolen keys, providing a benefit to help cover the cost of replacing or recoding the keys and locking mechanisms of your vehicle.

However, you won’t be covered if the keys are stolen by a family member or someone who lives with you, but you’ll still need to report the theft to the police.

While stolen car keys are commonly covered, coverage for lost car keys is much harder to find. So if you simply misplace your keys and can’t prove that they were stolen, many policies will refuse to provide any coverage.

How much does it cost to get a replacement car key?

A whole lot more than it used to. Replacing old-school car keys was relatively cheap and easy – it was a simple matter of getting new keys cut to match the locks on your doors and ignition.

However, because modern keyless entry remotes are coded to match your car’s computer and anti-theft immobilizer, they’re much more difficult and therefore expensive to replace. So how much money are we talking about?

On average, replacing a key, fob and programming can cost anywhere between $200 to $500. However, this figure skyrockets if you lose not one but both master keys to your car, as this means the vehicle’s computer has to be reset or even replaced so that it matches the new keys. As a result, the cost of losing both keys could be as much as $5,000.

However, it’s worth noting that you may be able to find a cheaper way to cut and recode keys by shopping around to find a dedicated automotive locksmith.

What should I do if I lose my keys?

Most new cars come with two electronic master keys that are programmed specifically for your vehicle. With this in mind, if you lose one of your keys, the safest (and most cost-effective) thing to do is to get it replaced as soon as possible.

This is because replacing one key is a relatively simple and inexpensive process. Car dealers or auto locksmiths can clone your spare key to create a new one, with no need to change anything inside your car.

However, if you lose both master keys, the computer in your car that controls the locking system and immobilizer will either have to be reset or replaced. This is significantly more expensive and time-consuming, so it pays to make sure that you always have a spare.

Another important piece of advice to remember is to get quotes for replacement key costs. While you could get it done by your local dealer, it might be worth shopping around at a few auto locksmiths to see if they can offer a better deal.

What should I do if someone steals my car keys?

If someone has stolen your car key, the first thing you should do is phone the police. Not only does this maximise the chances of getting the key back and prevent your car from being stolen, but it’ll also come in handy when you make a claim with your car insurer.

Before paying any claim for stolen car keys, your insurer will request proof of the theft in the form of a police report. So when you notify police that your key or keys have been stolen, make sure to request a copy of the report.

You should then notify your insurer as soon as possible to get the claims process started.

Bottom line

Losing your car keys can put a damper on your plans for the day. Fortunately you have options for getting into your car and or replacing your keys whether you’re covered through your insurance policy or can find a locksmith or key replacement service.

If you frequently misplace your keys or want some extra protection in case it happens to you, compare car insurance providers who offer key replacement as part of your coverage.

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