Does roadside assistance cover a vehicle lockout?
Does roadside assistance cover vehicle lockouts?
Yes. Roadside assistance covers lockouts. When your keys are inside the car and the door is locked, a service provider dispatches to your location and uses specialized tools to open the door without breaking glass or damaging the lock. The service is typically included at no out-of-pocket cost when you carry the roadside assistance endorsement on your auto policy.
What other services come with a roadside assistance endorsement?
Lockout service is one of several standard benefits under a roadside endorsement. The full list of covered services typically includes:
- Lockout assistance (labor to open a locked door)
- Towing to the nearest repair facility
- Jump-starts for a dead battery
- Emergency fuel delivery when you run out of gas
- Flat tire changes using your spare
What does lockout coverage not pay for?
The endorsement covers the labor to unlock the door. It does not cover cutting a new key, programming a replacement key fob, or any dealer fees if the key is lost or broken. For most modern vehicles with electronic fobs, the provider pops the door lock so you retrieve the keys still inside the car. If the key itself is gone, a replacement fob and key from a dealership is an out-of-pocket expense, often $200 to $500 or more depending on the make and model.
For example, if you lock your keys inside your car at a Kroger parking lot in Marietta, the provider dispatches, opens the door with a slim-jim tool, and you drive away at no charge. If you lost the key entirely and need a new fob programmed at a dealership, that cost is yours to pay.
How many lockout service calls does my policy cover per year?
Most policies cap the number of covered service calls per year, commonly two to four events total across all roadside services. A lockout counts as one event toward that cap. Exceeding the annual limit means paying for the service call yourself, though a basic lockout service is usually far less expensive than a tow. Your declarations page shows the roadside assistance benefit as a separate line item, including the per-year event limit.
How much does adding roadside assistance cost?
Roadside assistance is an optional endorsement on most personal auto policies. The annual premium for the endorsement is typically low, often under $20 per vehicle per year, though the exact figure depends on the insurer and your state. For example, adding roadside assistance to a standard Georgia auto policy at $12 to $18 per year per vehicle costs less than a single locksmith call, which often runs $75 to $150 for a basic lockout.
Are there alternatives to roadside assistance through my auto policy?
Yes. A standalone membership through an automobile club can provide the same core services, sometimes with higher annual service-call limits or broader geographic coverage. Some new vehicles also include factory roadside assistance for a set period after purchase. Check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer’s website for the terms on any factory-included benefit.
To confirm whether your current policy includes lockout coverage and what limits apply, a free coverage review with a licensed advisor at Olive Insurance Services, LLC covers exactly that.