Are car keys covered under insurance? Sometimes. It depends on your policy and on what happened to the keys. Liability coverage, the minimum Arizona requires, pays for damage you cause to others, not for your own car or keys (Arizona DIFI). Keys stolen in a theft or break-in may be covered by an optional coverage such as comprehensive, usually after your deductible, while keys that are simply lost are often not covered unless your policy includes key replacement. Ask your agent what your policy covers before you pay for new keys.
Are car keys covered under my auto insurance?
The answer to this question may vary depending on the type and make of vehicle you own, along with other factors. If possible, it’s recommended that you ask your agent about what coverage they offer for replacement locks and keys before making a claim. This can help you avoid any surprises during a claim.
What are the benefits of having car keys covered under my insurance policy?
There are several benefits to having car keys covered under your insurance policy. First, if you lose one of your car’s key fobs or the physical keys, this coverage can help pay for a replacement. Some policies may also cover locksmith services that will allow you access to your vehicle. This is usually part of roadside assistance and is often called “lock-out assistance“; it can be a good option if you ever get locked out of your car.
What are the risks of not having my car keys covered under my insurance policy?
If your lost or stolen key fob or physical keys aren’t covered, you’ll have to pay for them yourself. Replacing these items may cost several hundred dollars depending on the type of car you have. Without the ability to replace your lost key fob or physical keys, you won’t be able to drive your vehicle, and in some cases, this can leave a person stranded with no way home!
What should I look for when purchasing my auto insurance policy?
When purchasing your auto insurance policy, it’s essential to ask what coverage they offer for car keys. This can help you avoid any surprises during a claim. Also, keep in mind that some policies may require an additional fee on top of the base premiums for this type of protection.
When do I need to claim lost or stolen car keys?
Report stolen keys to the police and to your insurer as soon as you can; a police report helps with a theft claim. Policies set their own time limits for reporting a claim, so check yours. A key fob that simply stops working is usually a battery or repair question, not an insurance claim.
How much does it cost to replace lost, broken, or stolen car keys?
The cost of replacing lost, broken, or stolen car keys depends on the key type and the vehicle. A plain metal key only needs cutting; a transponder key, a remote-head key or a smart fob also has to be programmed to the car, and replacing a key when none is left is a bigger job than copying one you still have. Diamondback gives you the price before any work starts; see how we prepare estimates.
In some cases, a broken key is a simple fix, such as a new shell or a new battery, and costs less than a new key.
Keys with a chip (transponder keys) and push-to-start smart keys cost more to replace than plain metal keys, because they have to be programmed to the car. If you still have one working key, adding a spare is usually a smaller job than replacing a key when all are lost, so it pays to get a spare made before you need it.
If your car key is lost, broken, or stolen and you need a replacement, then it’s best to contact an insurance agent as soon as possible to help out with those costs.
How to handle a lost or stolen set of keys
If you lose your keys or have them stolen, take these steps. If they were stolen, report it to the police. When the new key is made, ask whether the lost key can be erased from the car’s memory so it can no longer start the car; Toyota, for example, warns that a lost electronic key raises the risk of theft and tells owners to bring all remaining keys to the dealer (Toyota owner’s manual). On older cars without a chip, the locks and ignition may need rekeying instead. If house keys were on the same ring, have the house locks rekeyed too. Then call your insurance agent to ask whether the replacement is covered.
What is the process for getting new car keys if my auto insurance policy covers them?
If an auto insurance policy covers your car keys, then getting new ones will vary depending on the type of coverage you have. Ask your insurer first: some send their own provider, while others pay you back after the work, so keep the itemized receipt or invoice to file the claim.
How to protect your keys?
The first thing you can do to protect your keys is by always keeping them in a safe place. This means not leaving the car key fob, spare key, or both inside of the vehicle when it’s parked anywhere outside of where you live. Also, keep in mind that if someone finds the keys with the car, the registration in the glove box may show your address.
If you need to carry around a spare key for any reason, it’s best not to leave the fob in plain sight of anyone who may be nearby. This could make theft of the car easier.
What to do if your car keys are lost or stolen?
If you think you only misplaced your key fob, start searching right away. If you think the keys were stolen, don’t wait: report the theft to the police and your insurer, and have a new key made and the lost one erased from the car if your car allows it. If misplaced keys still haven’t turned up after a search, get replacement keys made by a reputable locksmith.
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Sources
- Vehicle Insurance: Consumer Information (Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions)
- Toyota owner’s manual: Keys (Toyota)