Key lost in Switzerland: what to do and who pays?
You’ve lost your key! Comparis lets you know of any costs you can expect and which insurance pays for what.
15.11.2023
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1. What should I do if I have lost my house key?
You’re standing at the front door, rummaging desperately in your bag – but in vain. Your house key has disappeared. Firstly, the most important thing is to stay calm. But what then? Follow these four steps:
Step 1: think
Remember your daily routine. Where were you going? And when was the last time you saw the key? Is it possible that it fell out of your pocket somewhere? Or did you leave it somewhere? Ask at any place you think is relevant.
Step 2: inform your landlord
If the key still cannot be found, you should inform the property management company/your landlord. Tenants must return all the keys they received when they vacate their apartment. If you have lost a key to your rental apartment, you will notice at the latest when you move.
The property management company/your landlord can also help if you don’t have a spare key and you need to open the front door – see the next point.
Step 3: call the locksmith
Without a spare key, you’ll need help from a locksmith. There are many to choose from though not all providers are reputable. Although the door can be opened within minutes, costs can run up to several hundred francs.
Ask your property management company/your landlord if they work with a locksmith. You can also choose a provider from the neighbourhood to avoid high travel costs.
Step 4: inform the insurance company
You will need to replace a lost key. You may also have to pay the cost for a new lock. You don’t necessarily need to cover these costs. Inform your insurance company.
2. Do I have to change the lock?
If you’ve lost the key along with personal documents, this is another matter entirely. There’s a high risk that you’ll end up with an uninvited guest in your apartment or its communal areas. In this case, you should replace the lock.
Lost key: these are the costs you can expect
Depending on the scenario, you either need to recut only one key or have one or more locks replaced. The costs depend on the number and type of locks and keys.
Copying a protected key usually costs around 50 to 100 francs. Protected means that only the owner of the associated security card or the security certificate can commission the key copy. Tenants must therefore contact the landlord. Replacing a single lock can quickly cost several hundred francs.
3. Lost key: which insurance pays?
Key stolen: home contents insurance
In the event of theft, home contents insurance covers the cost of the replacement key and any replacement of the locks.
Lost key: liability insurance
If you are responsible for the loss of the key, you should report the incident to your personal liability insurance provider. They will usually cover the costs and verify whether they are justified. Unjustified claims are rejected. An unjustified claim is, for example, the replacement of all locks if the key cannot be allocated to your apartment.
Wear and tear on locks can also be deducted. This means that the tenant or insurer only pays the current value. Apartment door locks usually have a service life of 20 years. So if you have a 10-year-old lock, you only have to pay half. Depending on the model, door locks have a service life of up to 30 years.
4. I have found a key. What should I do?
If you find a key, you should contact the police or a lost property office hand it over. Alternatively, you can send keys to the relevant supplier:
Dormakaba Schweiz AG
Fundschlüssel
Postfach
8620 Wetzikon
ASSA ABLOY (Switzerland) Ltd
Fundschlüssel
Untere Schwandenstrasse 22
8805 Richterswil
SEA Schliess-Systeme AG
Schlüsselfund
Lätternweg 30
PO Box
3052 Zollikofen (BE)
This article was first published on 31.10.2013
