Home warranty door lock coverage
Home warranty coverage for door locks depends on what needs to happen and why. In many cases, home warranty companies will cover rekeying, but not the repair or replacement of the lock itself.
Ultimately, whether your home warranty covers your door locks depends on the type of service you need and why you need it:
- Door lock repair: Most plans do not cover door lock repairs for normal wear and tear or malfunction. If your lock becomes hard to turn or jams because it’s old, repair is usually not included.
- Door lock replacement: Replacement for damaged or broken locks is rarely covered. Some plans might cover replacement after a break-in, but this is not common. Always check your plan details.
- Rekeying: Rekeying is the service most often covered, especially if you just moved in or lost your keys. This changes the lock's inner workings, so new keys are needed. Most plans limit the number of locks or service calls you get per year.
If your plan includes rekeying, you’ll usually still pay a service fee. For example, American Home Shield (AHS) lists a $100 fee for rekey service, and First American Home Warranty says the buyer service is available for the standard home warranty service fee. Your home warranty company may also subcontract the work to a locksmith company rather than to in-house technicians.
Door lock warranty coverage exclusions
Always read your contract to see which lock services are covered by your home warranty plan. Even when a company offers rekeying, the contract may carve out specific lock types, hardware or situations that are not covered.
For example, AHS covers lock rekeying but doesn’t cover the following:
- Skeleton locks and keys for things like file cabinets, windows, desks, safes and mailbox locks
- Replacement of deadbolts, knobs or associated hardware
- Padlocks
- Garage door openers
- Broken or damaged locks
Smart lock coverage varies by provider and plan type. Many standard policies exclude smart locks, calling them high-tech or specialty items. Some premium plans may cover smart locks, but often only for certain brands or specific problems like mechanical failures — not software or connectivity issues. Modified or home automation-connected locks may also be excluded.
Your plan may limit the number of locks you can get serviced in a contract term. The company may also exclude service on smart locks. Read your plan closely to know if smart locks are covered and under what conditions.
What to do if your home warranty doesn’t cover door locks
You may have options if your home warranty plan doesn't include door locks. First, explore optional coverage add-ons with your existing provider. Many home warranty companies allow policyholders to purchase à la carte coverage for specialty items. If not, it's worth asking if any higher-tier plans have better coverage.
You can also check the manufacturer’s warranty on the lock itself. That coverage is separate from a home warranty and may cover costs if the lock has a defect rather than ordinary wear or damage.
FAQ
What does a home typically warranty cover?
Home warranties usually cover large appliances, built-in microwaves, water heaters and systems like heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVACs), plumbing, ductwork, pool heaters and well pumps. Some plans also cover additional items like pest control, septic systems, central vacuums, sump pumps and more.
What is rekeying a lock?
Rekeying is when a locksmith makes a lock (like a deadbolt) work with a new set of keys. Homeowners often have locks rekeyed when they have lost their old sets of keys and don’t want to replace the door locks.
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace a lock?
Rekeying is generally cheaper than replacing the entire lock.
Are locksmith services covered by home warranties?
Most standard home warranties don’t cover locksmith services beyond basic rekeying. While some plans may include limited rekeying after a home purchase, they don’t cover emergency lockout help, full lock installation or replacing lost keys. If you accidentally lock yourself out of your house, you’ll have to hire a local locksmith on your own.
Do home warranties cover smart locks?
Usually not by default. Smart locks are often treated as specialty or high-tech items, and coverage may be limited to specific mechanical parts or excluded entirely, depending on the provider and plan.
Bottom line
Most home warranties do not cover lock repair or replacement, but some include rekeying as a member benefit. However, there are ways to make sure you're covered and feel secure. You can add door lock coverage as an extra option to your current plan, or upgrade to a higher-tier plan that includes it. To avoid surprise service fees, read your contract closely to see if any exclusions could cause your claim to be denied.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- American Home Shield, “Rekey Service Warranty.” Accessed July 19, 2026.
- First American Home Warranty, “How to Rekey a Lock in Your New Home.” Accessed July 19, 2026.
