Does Progressive Cover a Locksmith? Roadside, Keys, and Lockouts

Progressive does cover locksmith services for a car lockout, but only if you’ve added the optional roadside assistance package to your auto policy. The dispatch and the service call are paid for; the replacement key itself is not.¹ Without the roadside add-on, a standard Progressive auto policy gives you no coverage path for a lockout.²

What Roadside Assistance Pays For

If your keys are lost, stolen, or locked inside the car, Progressive will dispatch a qualified service provider to your location at no charge for the trip or the service call. Help is available 24/7 by calling 1-800-776-4737, through the Progressive mobile app, or at progressive.rsahelp.com.³

If the locksmith can cut or program a key on the spot, the dispatch is covered. If a duplicate can’t be made at the scene, roadside assistance pays to tow the vehicle to a dealer or qualified repair shop within a 15-mile radius.⁴ Either way, the hardware and programming bill for the actual key is yours to pay.¹

You can also hire your own locksmith and submit receipts for reimbursement through Progressive’s online portal. Reimbursements are typically processed within about ten business days.⁵

Limits You Should Know About

A few conditions apply to the locksmith benefit:

The replacement key itself is excluded, whether it’s a basic metal key or a smart fob that costs several hundred dollars.⁴
On-scene labor is covered for up to one hour per incident. Beyond that, you pay for extra labor or arrange a tow.³
The number of roadside events is capped within a rolling six-month period under your policy terms, with some sources citing three tows per six months as the standard allowance.³⁵
Coverage applies to mechanical, electrical, and lockout situations unrelated to a collision.¹
In North Carolina and Virginia, coverage is subject to the limits stated on the individual policy, which may differ from the standard terms.¹

Without the Roadside Add-On

Roadside assistance is optional and is not included automatically with a Progressive policy. If you carry only liability, comprehensive, or collision coverage, you have no coverage for a vehicle lockout through Progressive.² Comprehensive coverage protects against theft, fire, and vandalism, but it does not extend to lockout assistance.⁶

Paying for the Replacement Key

Because the key itself is excluded from roadside assistance, it’s worth asking whether another part of your Progressive policy picks up that cost. In most situations, no. Progressive does not cover lost keys under standard auto insurance. Comprehensive coverage only applies in the narrow case where your car is stolen and later recovered without the keys.⁴

Progressive does sell one add-on built for this: the Vehicle Protection Plan, which covers stolen, lost, or damaged keys and key fobs with a $0 deductible. It starts at around $12 per month and is available in most states, but eligibility is narrow. Your vehicle must be two years old or newer at enrollment and no older than eight years, and you must already carry liability, comprehensive, collision, rental car reimbursement, and roadside assistance with trip interruption.⁷

If your keys were stolen along with a purse or backpack, your homeowners or renters policy may provide some coverage through personal property protection. Progressive notes this as a possibility but points out that key replacement often costs less than the deductible, which makes filing a claim impractical.⁴

Is Adding Roadside Assistance Worth It for Lockouts

Progressive’s roadside assistance runs roughly $16 per year.⁵ Paying a locksmith out of pocket typically costs $75 to $150 during business hours and $125 to $250 after hours, before service call fees that can add another $30 to $100.⁸ One lockout a year clears the cost. The same add-on also covers towing, jump-starts, flat tire changes, fuel delivery, and up to an hour of on-scene labor for breakdowns.³

To add it, log in to your Progressive account online or call 1-800-776-4737. Coverage may not take effect the same day you add it, so enroll before you need it.³

Home and Apartment Lockouts Are Separate

Progressive’s auto roadside assistance applies to vehicles only. If you’re locked out of a rental, Progressive’s renters insurance generally does not cover locksmith services for a simple lockout. The exception is a lockout that results from a covered loss, such as a theft in which your key was taken, and even then coverage kicks in only after your deductible, which often exceeds the locksmith bill. For a home lockout, contacting your landlord or property manager is usually the more practical first step, since many leases place responsibility for lock access on the property owner.⁹

1
Progressive. Roadside Assistance One-Pager
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Progressive. Auto Insurance Coverages
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Progressive. Roadside Assistance
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Progressive. Does Car Insurance Cover Stolen Keys
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Clearsurance. Progressive Roadside Assistance Review
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Progressive. Does Car Insurance Cover Towing
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Progressive. Vehicle Protection Plan
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Progressive. Locked Keys in Car
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Progressive. Does Renters Insurance Cover Locksmith