Contents insurance and locksmith services: avoiding cost traps and optimising insurance cover
25.04.25
9
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The door slams shut, and the key is gone – a nightmare for many. Find out how your household contents insurance can help in an emergency and what costs a locksmith may charge.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Standard home contents insurance policies usually only cover locksmith services after a break-in; an optional add-on such as home and flat protection cover is often necessary for costs to be covered in the event of being locked out.
The cost of a locksmith service can vary considerably; compare quotes and agree fixed prices to avoid excessive charges (averaging €70–150 during the day).
If you lose someone else’s keys (e.g. for a rented apartment), your personal liability insurance may cover it, especially in the case of expensive locking systems.
Locksmith service and home contents insurance: the key facts at a glance
The standard contents insurance policy usually only covers locksmith costs in the event of burglary or robbery. It often does not cover a simple door opening after being locked out. A so-called home and apartment assistance policy can help here and is often available as an optional add-on. The costs for a locksmith can vary greatly, averaging between 70 and 150 euros for a simple daytime opening. At night or at weekends, surcharges of up to 150 per cent may apply.
Case studies: When does the insurance pay for the locksmith?
Imagine this: your door closes behind you and the key is inside – a common situation. Without additional cover such as home and apartment protection cover, you are left to pay costs that often exceed €100. The situation is different if your key was stolen in a burglary; in that case, home contents insurance usually covers the replacement of the lock. If someone else’s key is lost, for example a rented flat key, your private liability insurance may become relevant, especially if a central locking system is affected and costs of several thousand euros are looming. So check the terms of your policies carefully, because only about one in five home contents insurance policies includes protection cover as standard.
Another example: the key breaks off in the lock. Here it depends: was it material fatigue or improper force? In the latter case, the insurance usually does not pay. The cost of a new cylinder can be between €40 and €250, in addition to the opening. Here too, a protection cover policy can include arranging and covering the cost of the tradesperson, saving you time and stress. Please note that the benefits of home contents insurance can vary considerably. The distinction between whether it is your own key or someone else’s key is often decisive for which insurer is responsible. For example, if a company key is lost, a special key insurance policy taken out by the employer or official liability insurance may apply under certain circumstances.
Locksmith cost trap: How to recognise reputable providers and avoid extortionate charges
The prices for locksmith services are not regulated by law, which leaves the door open for disreputable providers. A simple door opening should rarely cost more than 150 euros during the day. At night or at weekends, surcharges of fifty to one hundred and fifty per cent are common, but bills of over 500 euros for a standard opening are often excessive. If a locksmith suddenly demands an exorbitant amount after opening the door, you have the right to check the invoice and not pay the full amount straight away. If in doubt, call the police, especially if pressure is being applied.
Look out for the following warning signs when choosing a locksmith:
Out-of-area dialling codes from providers that begin with “AAA” in order to appear at the top of the phone book.
No clear price quoted on the phone or only vague statements.
The technician wants to drill out the lock straight away, even though the door has only slammed shut (in ninety-nine per cent of cases, non-destructive entry is possible).
High call-out charges that were not communicated in advance.
The service provider insists on immediate cash payment without a detailed invoice.
To protect yourself, you should always agree a fixed price before giving the job. Ask for the full costs including call-out and VAT. Make a note of the employee's and the company's name. A detailed invoice is your right. If you suspect price gouging – that is, prices that are more than double the usual amount – you can refuse payment or make it only under reservation and consider legal steps later. Information on insurance for burglary may also be relevant if the loss of the key is connected with it.
Expert knowledge: legal foundations and current rulings on cost coverage
From an insurance law perspective, the assumption of costs for a locksmith by household contents insurance is tied to the policy conditions (AVB). As standard, damage caused by fire, escape of water, storm/hail and burglary/robbery is covered (§§ in the Insurance Contract Act, VVG). Simple loss of keys or being locked out usually do not fall under this. A home and flat protection cover explicitly extends this protection to emergency services such as a locksmith, often up to an amount of 500 euros per claim.
Courts have repeatedly dealt with excessive locksmith invoices. The Lingen Local Court (case no. 4 C 529/16) ruled that, in the absence of an agreed fee, only the customary remuneration is owed, and price recommendations from trade associations may be used as a guide. The Federal Court of Justice (BGH, case no. 1 StR 113/19) clarified that being locked out alone can already create a position of duress that dubious providers exploit with extortionate prices. If usury is present, the contract may be contrary to public policy and therefore void. It is also important to know, who pays in the event of a burglary, as this often goes hand in hand with loss of keys.
Our expert tip: Clarify the fixed price for opening the door by telephone in advance, including all costs. Ask specifically whether the provider has business liability insurance in case damage occurs during the opening. Document everything and only pay excessive invoices under reservation. Liability cover for loss of keys in master key systems is particularly important for tenants.
Optimising your insurance cover: How you are covered in an emergency
To avoid being left with high costs in an emergency, it is advisable to review and, if necessary, adjust your insurance cover. Basic contents insurance is often not sufficient. A first step is to check your existing contents insurance policy: Does it include a home and flat protection cover, or can one be added as an option? This often covers not only a locksmith, but also other emergencies such as burst pipes or heating failures, usually up to an amount of 500 euros per claim.
The following measures can improve your cover:
Check your contents insurance for an integrated or add-on home and flat protection cover.
Clarify the cover limits and exclusions for locksmith services precisely (often up to 250 or 500 euros).
Consider personal liability insurance with cover for lost keys, especially for private and work keys belonging to other people (cover often up to 50,000 euros).
Pay attention to the conditions in cases of gross negligence, for example if the door was only pulled shut but not locked. [<="//---">ä.]
Save the emergency number of your insurer and that of a reputable, locally based locksmith in your mobile phone.
A well-chosen protection cover often costs only a fraction per year of what a single emergency locksmith call-out can cost. This small investment can save you a lot of hassle and hundreds of euros in an emergency. Also think about the difference between buildings insurance and contents insurance to cover all areas of your home. The combination of both policies with one provider can make sense. [<="//------">ä.]
With this information, you are better equipped to act correctly in an emergency and to optimise your insurance cover. The next section summarises the most important recommendations for action.
Recommended actions: What to do if you lose your key or the door closes behind you?
If you find yourself standing outside a locked door, stay calm. Acting hastily often leads to costly mistakes. First, check whether a window is open or a neighbour has a spare key – that could already save you more than €100. If a locksmith is unavoidable, choose carefully. Look for local providers with a fixed-price guarantee and positive reviews. When you call, ask for the exact final price for opening your specific door (door has fallen shut, not locked) including all surcharges and call-out fees. A reputable service will at least be able to give you a price range; during the day, a guide price is often €80 to €120.
Here is a checklist for emergencies:
Try alternative access routes (window, neighbour with key).
Contact several locksmiths and compare prices; ask about fixed prices.
When placing the order, give your name and exact address.
Have the agreed price confirmed again before work begins.
Watch the technician’s work; a door that has just fallen shut usually does not need drilling out (often done in under five minutes).
Insist on an itemised invoice showing VAT and the company address.
Do not pay inflated invoices immediately, or only under reservation.
Report the incident to your insurer, if cover is in place (e.g. via a protection cover policy).
Also find out whether your home contents insurance tax-deductible is. If the key has been lost as a result of a break-in, it is important to inform the police immediately and file a report. This is also relevant for making a claim with your home contents insurance. Remember that a lost key, especially for a locking system, can result in significant consequential costs, which may be covered by your insurance for lost keys or your personal liability insurance.
Request your personalised risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive concrete suggestions for optimisation.
More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive article on household contents insurance, providing basic information and definitions.
FAQ
Does my home contents insurance cover the cost of a locksmith?
Standard contents insurance usually only covers the cost of a locksmith if the call-out is necessary as a result of an insured loss such as burglary or robbery. For cases such as a door slamming shut or a lost key without a break-in, a special additional module, the so-called home and flat emergency cover, is often required.
What is a home and flat emergency cover?
A home and apartment protection policy is an additional benefit to home contents or buildings insurance. It provides services and covers the costs of household emergencies, which often include locksmith services, as well as plumbing or heating emergency call-outs, usually up to a set maximum per claim (e.g. €500).
How much should a locksmith cost?
Prices are not fixed, but a simple door opening should cost around 70 to 150 euros during the day on weekdays. For call-outs at night, at weekends or on public holidays, surcharges of 50 to 150 per cent may apply. Invoices that are significantly above this should be critically reviewed.
What can I do if the locksmith's bill is too high?
Agree a fixed price in advance wherever possible. If the invoice is unexpectedly high, do not pay the full amount straight away, or only under protest. Request a detailed, written invoice. If you suspect extortionate pricing, you can contact consumer advice centres or seek legal advice.
Does private liability insurance cover the loss of keys?
Yes, many personal liability insurance policies cover the loss of third-party private keys (e.g. for rented accommodation) and, in some cases, also work-related keys. This is particularly important if the loss makes it necessary to replace an expensive locking system. The insured sums can be as high as EUR 50,000.
How do I find a reputable locksmith?
Look for local providers with transparent pricing. Ask friends and acquaintances for recommendations, or consult trade associations. Be sceptical of pure advertisements without a clear company address or of providers who only give a mobile number. Always agree a fixed price.
