What is Keycare? Everything You Need to Know

Losing your car keys, accidentally leaving them in the vehicle can be incredibly stressful, especially if you lose your house keys as well. Not only are you unable to drive or access your home, but your possessions are left vulnerable, and resolving the problem can be expensive.

Luckily, there is an insurance product that can ease your panic. Key Insurance doesn’t only cover car keys, it covers house keys, locksmith charges and additional costs relating to your missing items. This article explains how Keycare works and whether it would be worth it for you?

What is Keycare insurance and how does it work?

ALA Keycare is a trusted insurer who can replace your missing keys and much more. The coverage includes a key fob to help find your keys if they’re lost in a public place. You’re covered for replacement locks and keys, locksmith charges and more.

There are two options: you can choose a standard key fob or a smartfob. The smart key fob can link up to your mobile phone in our companion app to help you locate your misplaced keys. Alternatively, the standard option provides instructions on how someone can return your belongings.

Adding Keycare to your GAP insurance policy offers a significant discount, yet, the standalone policy is also competitively priced.

Get cover today: Build a Quote

What does keycare insurance cover?

In addition to your unique keycare fob, ALA Keycare covers the following:

• Replacement keys (any keys that are attached to the fob, including home and car keys)
• Reprogramming of infrared handsets, immobilisers, and alarms
• Up to £1500 over a 12-month period
• £10 incentive to the finder of your lost keys
• Extension of cover to immediate family members living at the same address as the policyholder. You can purchase additional fobs for the whole family at a discounted price.
• Up to three days of car hire cover if you cannot use your car while your key is being replaced.

Is Keycare worth it?

For the low cost, the benefits of our standard keycare product can be invaluable. We all know the frustration and panic that sets in when you lose your home or car keys. Not only are you unable to travel or access your home, but your belongings will be vulnerable to theft.

The peace of mind of knowing you can locate your misplaced keys more easily, cover the costs of replacements, locksmith charges and temporary travel arrangements is invaluable for making a stressful situation more manageable. It’s a no-brainer, given that you get discounts on policy add-ons with the most trusted GAP insurance provider. Add-on Keycare starts at £24 for one-year cover; meanwhile, standalone cover starts at £48.

Weigh up the cost of losing your keys without cover vs the cost of insuring your belongings:

It can get incredibly expensive to replace your car keys and change the locks, especially for premium models, electric cars, or vehicles with modern, keyless technology. There is also a considerable additional cost if you also need to replace the locks in your home and arrange alternative travel.

ALA Keycare covers up to £ 1,500 per year, highlighting how valuable this kind of policy can be, and policies start at just £24 annually with a GAP insurance policy.

Key Features and Options of ALA Keycare

The additional benefits and features of ALA Keycare include:

• Zero excess and admin charges
• Your personal details are protected if someone finds your lost keys — you will get a unique fob number
• Global travel cover applies
• ALA use reputable underwriters
• ALA have a 4.9 star rating on Trustpilot and award-winning customer service
• There is a 24-hour, 365-day emergency helpline for you to report lost or stolen keys.
• ALA can help cover your onward travel costs (such as a taxi ride) so you do not ruin an important day.
• Up to three days’ hire car cover if your car isn’t usable because of your lost or stolen keys
• Access to a trusted network of locksmiths

Frequently Asked Questions

What costs are covered under a Keycare policy?

The cost of replacing any physical keys or keyless fobs which are attached to the ALA Keycare fob provided. This includes the reprogramming of infrared handsets and immobilisers. The cost of changing your vehicle or home locks, including locksmith charges. There is also a £10 reward to the finder of your lost keys and cover for onward travel and car hire, if needed.

Can I add Keycare to my existing car insurance?

Many car insurance providers offer car key insurance as an add-on, but it often covers only car keys. If you don’t already have this cover, you can add but you may face admin charges outside of your renewal period. Instead, you can get purpose-built, standalone cover with ALA or add it to your GAP insurance policy for a discount.

Are there exclusions or limitations I should know about?

There are some things that Keycare can’t cover, such as the following:

• Any keys that aren’t attached to the standard or smartfob provided
• Claims that aren’t reported within 30 days of the incident
• Any amount which you do not have a valid receipt or invoice for
• Costs relating to damaged or broken keys or locks, this includes wear and tear

What if you lose your car keys without Keycare?

Unfortunately, unless you already have Keycare in place when you lose your keys, you cannot retroactively get it. You will have to pay for replacement keys and locksmith services yourself, which can cost hundreds of pounds. Instead, buy key cover starting at just £24.

What happens if you lock your keys inside the vehicle?

If you haven’t lost your key but it is inaccessible inside your home or car, we will cover locksmith charges and onward travel. Read about the missing key scenarios that we cover here

Explore

How does car key replacement work?

We will cover the cost of replacing car keys, keyless fobs and locksmith fees up to the £1500 total annual claim limit. If you lose your keys and have a spare set, you will receive a duplicate. If no spare exists, a new one will be produced, and locksmith fees will be covered in order to update the locks. You will also be entitled to up to three days of car hire cover while your keys are being replaced.

Is it worth getting the Smartfob with ALA Keycare?

Losing your keys and getting a locksmith round can impact your daily routine, whether you’re insured or not. So, it’s always better to find your original pair. For this reason, the smartfob is a good solution, especially if you misplace things often. However, the standard fob will still get you the same cover but at a slightly lower entry point.