When thieves break into a car, the damage to the vehicle itself—like smashed windows or a broken lock—is covered by comprehensive coverage. However, personal belongings inside the car, like laptops, wallets, or jewelry, are excluded from car insurance coverage.
This is where renters or homeowners insurance can come in handy, as these types of policies are designed to safeguard your stuff.
Here’s what you should know about when your car insurance covers theft (and when it doesn’t), and how to protect yourself and your belongings against potential losses.
TL;DR
- Car insurance, even with comprehensive coverage, doesn’t cover things that are stolen from your car.
- Renters or homeowners insurance can protect your personal belongings, like laptops or jewelry, even when taken outside your home.
- Comprehensive coverage handles car-related theft or damage, like broken windows or stolen car parts, minus your deductible.
- For full protection, combine car insurance with renters or homeowners insurance and take steps to deter theft—like installing anti-theft devices in your car, and making sure to always lock it.
Why doesn’t car insurance cover theft of personal items?
Car insurance doesn’t cover theft of personal items, aka your stuff, because it’s focused on solely protecting your car, not your personal belongings. Items like laptops, handbags, or other valuables left in your vehicle are considered personal property, not part of the car itself. This exclusion is standard in a typical car insurance policy, including those with comprehensive coverage.
If a thief breaks into your car by smashing a window, and steals your bag, your comprehensive car insurance will likely cover the cost to repair the broken window after you pay your deductible. However, the insurance company won’t reimburse you for the stolen items.
Comprehensive coverage is designed to handle issues related to the vehicle itself, such as vandalism or a break-in, not personal items left inside the car.
How can I protect my personal items against theft?
To protect your personal items from theft, renters or homeowners insurance can come in handy. These insurance policies cover your personal property, even while it’s outside your home (including if take it abroad).
Picture this: A thief breaks into your car and steals your laptop. You’d use a renters insurance policy to replace your laptop, minus your deductible. Homeowners insurance works in a similar way to protect your valuables.
Keep in mind that your car insurance policy, even with comprehensive coverage, won’t cover personal belongings stolen from your vehicle—it’s designed for the car itself. That’s why having renters or homeowners insurance is key for covering things like electronics or handbags.
You can also prevent theft by parking in safe areas, keeping valuables out of sight, and using anti-theft devices—like dash cams or smart keys. Pairing these habits with the right insurance coverage ensures your personal items are better protected.
How can I protect both my car and belongings against theft?
Let’s dive into how insurance can offer protection for both your car, and your personal belongings.
Add comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage protects your vehicle against break-ins, vandalism, and theft-related damages. If your window is smashed or locks are broken, you’ll be covered. It’s a smart choice to consider adding this coverage to your car insurance policy (plus your lender may require it if you lease or finance your car).
Bundle car and renters insurance
Bundling your car insurance with renters coverage helps protect your car and your belongings inside it from theft and unexpected damage. Renters insurance covers your personal belongings, whether they’re at home or on the road.
When you bundle car and renters insurance at Lemonade, you’ll be eligible for bundle discounts, plus you can manage all your policies and future claims in one easy-to-use app—making it simple to look after the things you care about.
Get additional coverage for valuable items
It’s a good idea to project your high value items like jewelry or musical instruments with additional coverage up to their full value. For example, most renters insurance policies only cover jewelry up to $1,500.
You should never leave your valuables unattended in a car—especially in plain sight—accidents happen. By adding Extra Coverage for high-value items on your Lemonade renters insurance policy, aka scheduling personal property, you can rest assured they’re protected for their full worth.
Will comprehensive coverage cover theft of car parts?
Yes, comprehensive coverage covers theft of car parts. This coverage is part of a car insurance policy that handles non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, or damage from weather. This includes stolen car parts such as catalytic converters, tires, or even your car’s stereo system in some cases—basically, anything considered part of the car is covered by comprehensive coverage (except for your custom, decked-out stereo system that you installed yourself).
Here’s how it works: If a thief targets your car and steals your catalytic converter, comprehensive coverage will cover the cost to replace those parts, minus your deductible on eligible claims. So if you have a $500 deductible and replacing your stolen catalytic converter costs $1,000, your insurance company would reimburse you for the remaining $500.
What if my car is stolen?
Yes, comprehensive coverage can reimburse you for the costs of replacing your stolen car if a thief steals your vehicle and it’s never recovered. Most insurers typically reimburse the actual cash value (aka, ACV) of your car at the time your car was stolen, minus your deductible for comprehensive coverage.
Imagine you purchased your car for $20,000 two years ago. One morning, you wake up to discover it’s missing from your driveway—and it’s never recovered. Over time, the car depreciated (aka, lost some of its initial value due to age, and wear and tear), and on the day it was stolen, its actual cash value (replacement cost minus depreciation) was $14,000. With a $2,000 deductible on your insurance policy, your insurer could reimburse you $12,000 to replace your stolen car.
What should I do if someone steals stuff from my car?
If you realize you have property that was stolen from your car, follow these steps to file a claim:
- File a police report: Contact your local department to report the theft immediately. Provide details like your car’s VIN, license number, and a list of stolen items. A police report is required for any insurance claim.
- Document the scene: Take photos of damages, including broken windows or locks. This makes the car claim process smoother. Document what personal items have been stolen from your vehicle, and gather your receipts for renters or homeowners insurance claims.
- Secure vulnerable areas: Cover broken windows with temporary film or plastic to prevent further damage until repairs are made.
- File a claim: If your belongings were stolen and your car was damaged, you’ll need to file two separate claims: one for renters or homeowners insurance and one for your car insurance.
At Lemonade, we designed our digital claims process to be as quick and easy as possible. Just submit your claim through the app with the help of our chatbot, AI Jim. One of Lemonade Car’s claims adjusters will reach out to help you with the rest of the process.
Keep in mind: You’ll need to file two separate claims if you need to file a claim for both car damages and stolen personal items. One claim for your car insurance for vehicle damages, and a second claim under your renters or homeowners policy for whatever was stolen.
Before we go…
Car insurance can help with theft-related damage to your car, but it won’t cover personal belongings inside. For full protection, bundling a car insurance policy with renters or homeowners insurance will keep both your ride and your stuff covered.
Click below to start your free quote.
FAQs
Can I add personal belongings coverage to my car insurance policy?
No, personal belongings coverage cannot be added to a car insurance policy, since that policy protects your car and liability in case of accidents. To protect things you own, like electronics, clothing, or other valuables, you can get renters or homeowners insurance, which specifically covers personal belongings against theft, damage, or loss, including outside your home.
Does car insurance cover stolen cash or credit cards?
Car insurance doesn’t cover cash, credit cards, or other kinds of monetary items. But, a lot of renters insurance policies cover cash up to a certain dollar amount. At Lemonade, you’re covered for $200 in cash.
Will my insurer cover a break-in if the car was locked but my window was rolled down?
Depending on the situation, this might be seen as negligence, meaning your insurer could deny the claim if you didn’t take proper precautions to protect your car and belongings. That’s why you should always make sure your doors are always locked and windows are closed.
Do I need anti-theft devices for coverage?
No, coverage isn’t usually dependent on you having an anti-theft device, but they can be a smart investment for extra security. Many insurance companies (including Lemonade!) even offer discounts on premiums if you install these devices, as they reduce the likelihood of theft and make your vehicle safer.
What happens if theft occurs while I’m parked at a hotel or vacation rental?
If your car is broken into while parked at a hotel or rental, your auto insurance can cover damage to the car, like broken windows, but not your personal items. Renters or homeowners insurance may help replace stolen personal belongings like luggage or electronics–even if you’re away from home. Always keep receipts and documentation handy when traveling—it’ll simplify filing a claim.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
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