When you're locked out of your home without a key in sight, you're going to need to hire a locksmith to get you back into your home.
Home lockout protection assistance is financial reimbursement for the costs associated with hiring a locksmith. In rare cases, this type of perk is included in homeowner’s insurance or a home warranty.
But more commonly, home lockout protection assistance is a perk of membership to an auto club like AAA. Car owner super-app Jerry
has compiled everything you need to know about what kind of insurance covers locksmith services. RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Home lockout protection assistance in homeowner’s insurance
While it is not common, home lockout protection assistance may be part of a homeowner’s insurance policy.
In this case, you could file a claim for reimbursement of the costs associated with having a locksmith let you into your home or rekey your lock. Using homeowner’s insurance in association with lockouts, however, rarely works in your favor.
To file a claim under homeowner’s coverage, you must first pay your deductible. Deductibles typically run between $500 and $1,000. As locksmith services in association with a home lockout are usually less than the amount of a deductible, it is usually cheaper to pay out of pocket than to use home lockout protection assistance.
Key Takeaway: Though uncommon, home insurance could reimburse some of your lockout costs. But since deductibles tend to cost more than locksmith services anyways, paying out of pocket is usually cheaper.
Home lockout protection assistance through AAA membership
Auto clubs, such as AAA, often have home lockout protection assistance as a perk of premium membership
, as well as car lockout services
. For example, AAA will reimburse its premium members up to $100 toward the costs associated with a home lockout. There are some exceptions to be aware of, however. Only the primary home is included, and the assistance can only be used once per term of AAA membership. Lock replacement is also not included.
Other memberships, such as AutoVantage, do not provide reimbursements as part of home lockout protection assistance. This type of assistance only coordinates getting a locksmith to help you back into your home, perhaps at a discounted rate.
Basically, you contact the club, and the club calls one of its locksmith service partners to go to the scene of the lockout. You still must pay the locksmith yourself.
Key Takeaway: If you're a premium member, AAA can help with a primary home lockout once per term and cover you for up to $100 minus lock replacement. Other auto clubs offer similar assistance, but they might lack reimbursement.
FAQ
How much does a locksmith cost?
The average cost of a locksmith
in association with a home lockout in 2020 was between $35 and $150. That's just to get you in your door. There are other factors that can increase that amount, such as an after-hours trips or emergency timing. Most of the charges associated with a home lockout are from locksmith travel, so it is advisable to select a locksmith that's nearby. The trip fee is often based on the mileage driven, or there may be a set rate within a designated service area.
If new keys or new locks are also required, there is a broad range for the cost. This is dependent on the type of home lock, which may be mechanical, electronic, or even biometric. Electronic and biometric systems cost far more for new keys and new locks than mechanical systems.
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