Auto Insurance: Stolen Items, Now What?

If you've had items stolen from your car, you may be able to claim for their value through your auto insurance policy, but this depends on the type of item that was stolen and how it was attached to your vehicle. Comprehensive coverage is an optional type of auto insurance that covers theft and damage to your vehicle from causes other than collision, such as fire, vandalism, hail, or falling objects. Comprehensive coverage will pay for the repair or replacement of stolen items that are part of or attached to your vehicle, up to the actual cash value of your vehicle, minus your deductible. However, personal items that are not attached to your vehicle, such as a laptop, phone, or purse, are not typically covered by auto insurance. Instead, you may be able to claim for these items through your home or renter's insurance policy.

Comprehensive coverage

It's important to note that comprehensive coverage does not include personal property (e.g. cell phones, laptops, purses, wallets, etc.) stolen from your car. These items may be covered by your home, renters, or condo insurance policy, which typically includes personal property coverage. Personal property coverage will pay for the repair or replacement of stolen items, up to the limit of your policy, minus your deductible.

Personal property coverage

However, personal property coverage may have lower limits for certain categories of items, such as jewelry, electronics, firearms, or cash. For example, if your policy has a $2,500 limit for electronics and your laptop and phone are both stolen from your car for a total value of $3,000, you would only receive $2,500 from your insurer. To increase the limits for these items, you may need to buy scheduled personal property coverage (SPP), which is an endorsement that you can add to your home policy for an extra cost. SPP coverage will pay for the repair or replacement of the scheduled items up to their appraised value.

While most auto insurance policies do not cover personal property theft, some auto insurance policies may include some coverage for contents up to a certain limit, such as $500 or $1,000. Rarely, some insurance companies offer personal property coverage for an additional fee, which would cover the theft of personal items.

Off-premises coverage

Items in your car that are not attached to the vehicle, such as phones, laptops, purses, or suitcases, may be covered by off-premises coverage. However, it's important to note that there are typically lower limits for certain categories of items, such as electronics, and there may be exclusions for expensive items like jewellery.

If you have comprehensive coverage as part of your auto insurance, it may cover the theft of items attached to your vehicle, such as a catalytic converter, stereo system, or bike rack. Comprehensive coverage is an optional type of auto insurance that covers theft and damage to your vehicle from causes other than collisions, such as fire, vandalism, or falling objects.

Custom parts and equipment (CPE) coverage

CPE coverage is an optional add-on to your auto insurance policy and is not mandatory. However, it is recommended if you have invested significantly in custom parts for your vehicle. Without CPE coverage, your insurance likely won't cover any custom parts that are damaged, leaving you personally responsible for the repair or replacement costs.

The cost of CPE coverage varies depending on the company and state, but it is generally affordable, with most drivers paying between $10 and $25 a month to add it to their policy. The coverage limit is typically $5,000 to $20,000, but this can also depend on the company and state.

• Customized wheels, such as alloy or magnesium wheels, wheel overs, or wire-spoke wheels
• Special tires, such as racing slicks, oversized tires, or custom wide-tread tires
• Spoilers, suspensions, or other performance-related equipment
• Stereo and sound recording equipment
• Television and DVD players that are permanently installed
• Customized paint or decals
• Chrome and reverse chrome
• Aftermarket seats or leather seats not installed by the car manufacturer
• Anti-theft devices not installed by the car manufacturer
• Special equipment such as running boards, brush bars, roll bars, undercarriage lighting, fog lights, bed liners, camper shells, trailer hitches, and special roofs

Tracking devices

• GPS tracking devices are small, discreet, and easy to install in your vehicle. They can be powered by batteries or by connecting to your car's OBD-II port or electrical system.
• Real-time tracking provides updates on your vehicle's location, speed, and distance travelled. Some devices offer additional features like geofencing, driving behaviour alerts, and vehicle health monitoring.
• Tracking devices can help law enforcement recover your stolen vehicle quickly. Look for devices with a fast refresh rate and precise location tracking.
• Subscription plans are usually required for tracking devices, with costs varying depending on the features included.
• Hardwired or OBD port GPS trackers are more challenging to tamper with but may require professional installation. Portable, battery-powered trackers are easy to install but need regular charging.
• Some recommended tracking devices include the Vyncs GPS tracker, Tracki GPS tracker, Spytec GL300 GPS tracker, and Bouncie GPS car tracker.
• Always check local laws and regulations regarding the use of GPS trackers, as some states have specific consent requirements.

Frequently asked questions