Does Car Insurance Cover Keys Locked in Car UK 2026

Last reviewed: 26 April 2026

Why motor insurance does not cover lockout

Motor insurance is designed to cover sudden external risk events: accidents, fire, theft, and, under Comprehensive, accidental damage to the insured vehicle. Being locked out of a vehicle is not an insured event under any of these categories. No injury has occurred, no theft has taken place, no fire has damaged the vehicle, and no accident has caused physical damage.

The lockout scenario, keys locked inside the vehicle, driver unable to gain access, is classified in the UK insurance market as a roadside assistance event, not an insurance claim. The response required is a practical service (a qualified locksmith unlocking the vehicle using specialised tools) rather than a financial indemnity payment.

Standard Comprehensive, TPFT, and TPO motor insurance policies do not include lockout assistance as a standard provision. The FCA's Insurance Product Information Document (IPID) for any standard motor insurance product will not list lockout services as an included benefit.

Breakdown cover: the correct product for lockout

UK roadside assistance and breakdown cover, provided by specialist breakdown organisations, is the correct product category for lockout assistance. Most comprehensive breakdown policies include lockout assistance as a standard component: a qualified locksmith or recovery engineer attends the vehicle location and opens the vehicle.

Major UK breakdown providers whose breakdown policies typically include lockout assistance include the AA (FRN 310208) and RAC (operated through RAC Motoring Services, FRN not applicable as a service contract rather than insurance). Confirm the specific terms of any breakdown policy at the time of purchase.

Some motor insurance policies bundle breakdown cover as a standard Comprehensive inclusion, Direct Line Group (FRN 202810) includes RAC-powered breakdown cover in its standard Direct Line Comprehensive product. Where breakdown cover is bundled with the motor policy, the lockout assistance component may be accessible through that bundled cover.

Key cover: different product, different purpose

Key cover, available as an optional add-on from many UK motor insurers at approximately £15 to £30 per year, covers the replacement of lost, stolen, or damaged vehicle keys. It does not cover lockout assistance where the keys are inside the vehicle and physically intact.

The distinction: key cover responds to the event of key loss or damage (the key needs to be replaced). Lockout assistance responds to the event of keys being inaccessible while physically present (the vehicle needs to be opened).

A driver who locks keys inside the vehicle needs breakdown/lockout assistance. A driver who has lost their keys needs key cover for replacement. The two scenarios require different products despite appearing superficially similar.

When forced entry creates an insurable event

In specific circumstances, the process of gaining entry to a locked vehicle may create physical damage that falls within Comprehensive cover. If a locksmith or recovery engineer inadvertently damages the door, lock cylinder, or window during a forced entry, that physical damage to the vehicle is accidental damage that a Comprehensive policy would cover.

Similarly, if a driver or bystander breaks a window to gain emergency access to a vehicle (for example, in a medical emergency) and the window requires replacement, the broken window is physical accidental damage covered under Comprehensive, subject to the windscreen or glass excess provisions.

The claim is for the physical damage to the vehicle, not for the lockout assistance service itself. The lockout service cost (the locksmith's callout fee) remains outside the insurance coverage.

ABI data and lockout claim refusals

The ABI's 2025 motor insurance complaints data indicates that lockout-related claim enquiries, where policyholders contact insurers expecting lockout assistance, represent a persistent source of consumer misunderstanding about motor insurance scope. In these cases, the insurer's response is to clarify that lockout is outside the motor policy scope and direct the caller to their breakdown cover (if held) or to a commercial locksmith service.

These are not claim refusals on meritorious claims, they are scope-of-cover clarifications. The consumer's expectation that lockout is covered by motor insurance is the common misconception that this article addresses.

Key Figures

What to do without breakdown cover: commercial locksmith options

Where no breakdown cover is held and no bundled lockout assistance is available through the motor policy, a commercial locksmith is the practical route. UK commercial locksmiths who specialise in vehicle entry can typically open modern vehicles without causing damage using specialist tools, and without the vehicle owner needing to involve emergency services.

When selecting a commercial locksmith, confirm: that they are members of a recognised UK locksmith trade body (Master Locksmiths Association, MLA, member directory at the-mla.co.uk); that they are registered for the specific vehicle make and model; and obtain a price quote before work begins, as vehicle entry pricing varies widely. Retaining the receipt from the commercial locksmith is useful if subsequently claiming for any incidental damage under the Comprehensive policy.

DVLA holds no record of lockout incidents, they are not reportable events. The insurer also does not need to be notified of a lockout unless physical damage to the vehicle results from the entry process. The Motor Insurers' Bureau (MIB) has no involvement in lockout events. The full scope of roadside assistance products available in the UK market, ranging from standalone breakdown to bundled motor insurance breakdown additions, can be compared through BIBA-registered brokers at biba.org.uk/find-insurance/.

How to avoid lockout situations: practical prevention

Preventing lockouts through practical measures eliminates the scenario entirely. UK vehicle manufacturers have progressively incorporated anti-lockout features in modern vehicles: some models automatically prevent central locking when the key fob is detected inside the vehicle; others warn the driver via dashboard alert when the key is left inside as the door is closed.

For older vehicles without these features, developing a routine of checking for keys before closing the door, and keeping a spare key in a secure location (with a trusted family member or neighbour, or in a secure key safe), provides a recovery option without requiring lockout assistance.

Where a spare key is held by a trusted contact and that contact can deliver it to the vehicle location, this is often the fastest and cheapest resolution for an urban lockout. The cost of having a spare key cut and coded at a dealer (typically £100 to £300 for a modern chip-keyed vehicle, covered by key cover where that add-on is held) is typically less than the combined cost of multiple lockout service callouts. BIBA-registered specialist brokers (biba.org.uk/find-insurance/) can confirm the most appropriate key cover and breakdown package for a specific vehicle type and usage pattern.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does car insurance cover getting keys out of a locked car?

No. Standard motor insurance at all tiers does not cover lockout assistance. Lockout is a roadside recovery service, not an insurance event. Breakdown cover typically includes lockout assistance.

What is the difference between key cover and lockout cover?

Key cover replaces lost, stolen, or damaged keys. Lockout assistance opens the vehicle when keys are inside. They are different services addressing different scenarios, different products cover them.

Does breakdown cover include lockout?

Most comprehensive UK breakdown policies include lockout assistance as a standard component. Check the specific terms of your breakdown policy. Where breakdown cover is bundled with your motor insurance (as with some Direct Line products), lockout may be accessible through the bundled cover.

Is window-breaking for lockout covered by car insurance?

Where gaining entry to the vehicle causes physical damage (broken window, damaged door), that physical damage to the vehicle is covered under a Comprehensive motor insurance policy as accidental damage. The cost of the locksmith's callout service is not covered.

What should I do if I lock my keys in my car?

Contact your breakdown provider if breakdown cover includes lockout assistance. If no breakdown cover is held, contact a commercial locksmith. Do not attempt to force entry yourself, improper forced entry can cause significantly more damage than a qualified locksmith would produce.

Sources & Verification

• ABI Motor Insurance data: https://www.abi.org.uk
• FCA ICOBS, IPID exclusions: https://www.fca.org.uk
• FCA Register, AA (FRN 310208): https://register.fca.org.uk
• Road Traffic Act 1988, section 143: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52
• HMRC Insurance Premium Tax: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/insurance-premium-tax
• BIBA, Find a specialist broker: https://www.biba.org.uk/find-insurance/
• gov.uk, Driving without insurance: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-insurance/penalty-for-driving-without-insurance

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify rates with official sources before making any financial decision.