Lost Keys: When Does Liability Insurance Pay?
Your apartment key is gone – and with it, possibly access to an entire master key system. Losing keys is one of the most underestimated everyday risks: the consumer information portal of the Bavarian consumer advice centre warns that losing someone else's keys "can also become very expensive with master key systems" (source: vis.bayern.de, translated). Whether and when your private liability insurance pays – find out here.
Other People's Keys vs. Your Own Keys: The Decisive Difference
Liability insurance fundamentally only covers damage to other people's property. The key to your rented apartment belongs to your landlord – losing it is therefore third-party damage and insurable via the "lost keys" policy feature. If, on the other hand, you lose the key to your own home, that is damage to your own property, which no liability insurance covers.
Which Costs Does Liability Insurance Cover for Lost Keys?
Under Section 249 BGB, the party responsible must restore the situation "that would exist if the circumstance obliging compensation had not occurred" (source: gesetze-im-internet.de, translated). In practice, a good policy covers:
- Replacement of individual locks and keys of the rented apartment
- Replacement of the entire master key system if misuse cannot be ruled out – in apartment buildings quickly 5,000 to 30,000 euros
- Temporary security measures such as provisional locks or property security
- Work and office keys, if included in the policy – important for anyone carrying company or practice keys
Watch Out for Sub-Limits
Many policies cap the benefit for lost keys (e.g. at 15,000 euros). If you live or work in a large building, look for high or unlimited sub-limits – we check this in the Spreefinanz policy review.
What to Do After Losing Keys
- Report the loss immediately to your landlord or employer
- In case of theft: file a police report
- Report the claim to the insurer without delay – easiest via our claim report (→ schadenmeldung)
- Only commission the replacement after the insurer's approval
Frequently Asked Questions About Lost Keys
Does liability insurance also pay if the key was stolen?
Yes, if the lost-keys feature is included, stolen third-party keys are also covered. Important: file a police report and quickly notify landlord and insurer.
Does the entire master key system always have to be replaced?
Only if there is a risk of misuse, for example because the key was lost together with your address. The landlord decides on the replacement; the insurer checks whether it is necessary.
Are car keys covered by private liability insurance?
Other people's car keys (e.g. of a borrowed car) only if the policy explicitly provides for it. Your own car keys are not covered.
Check your coverage now – start the Insurance Check (/versicherungs-check) or write to us on WhatsApp (+49 151 28937141).
Sources: Verbraucherzentrale Bayern / VIS Bayern: "Private Haftpflichtversicherung: Was deckt sie ab?" · Section 249 BGB – Nature and extent of damages, gesetze-im-internet.de · Updated: 2026
