Missing out on a delivery is frustrating, but getting a package stolen from your front door is even worse, which is why Amazon.com Inc. wants to give its couriers a way to drop deliveries off inside people’s homes whether or not they are present.

That’s the idea behind a new service the company announced today called Amazon Key, which uses a smart lock system to give couriers access to consumer’s homes when they are away.

Beginning Nov. 8, Prime members in 37 cities across the U.S. will be able to choose Amazon Key as a delivery option at no extra cost. To use the new service, consumers will have to purchase an Amazon Key In-Home Kit, which is now available for pre-order and starts at $249.99. The kit includes an Alexa-enabled Amazon Cloud Cam, which allows users to remotely monitor their home, and one of several smart locks that are guaranteed to be compatible with the service.

“Amazon Key gives customers peace of mind knowing their orders have been safely delivered to their homes and are waiting for them when they walk through their doors,” said Peter Larsen, vice president of delivery technology at Amazon. Larsen added that with the Amazon Cloud Cam, users can also “conveniently see their packages being delivered right from their mobile phones.”

Before a courier can make a delivery using Amazon’s new service, the system verifies that the delivery is being made by the right driver at the right time. The Amazon Cloud Cam then automatically starts recording, and the courier is given a digital passcode that temporarily grants access to a user’s home. Amazon said no access codes or keys are ever given to the courier, and the company backs in-home deliveries with its Happiness Guarantee, which covers some property damage and helps users file insurance claims.

Deliveries are not the only use case Amazon has in mind for its new key system. Amazon noted in a statement that the lock can also be used to grant keyless entry to friends and family.

In coming months, Amazon also plans to integrate Amazon Key with Amazon Home Services, which includes maid services, pet sitters, electronics installation and more. According to Amazon, users can control when each person has access to their home, and they can easily add or remove approved visitors.

Photo: Amazon.com