Being stolen from can be a terrible experience especially if your car gets stolen and you’re trying to figure out how to get your stuff back.
According to the NICB, Vehicle thefts fell 17% in 2024, to 850,708 vehicles per year in the United States.
Find out how car insurance can financially protect you from theft and what you can do to protect yourself from auto theft.
Does Car Insurance cover Theft?
When considering auto insurance policies and their theft coverage, car insurance has many options. Understanding the different types of coverages and what they do is key.
The best insurance for theft is comprehensive coverage. This coverage is for “other than collision” incidents.
If your car gets stolen, comprehensive coverage will pay up to your vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV) minus the deductible. According to Kelly Blue Book, "A car’s actual cash value (ACV) is how much it’s worth today. This value includes the depreciation of your vehicle. It also shows how much the insurance company pays out when it declares a car a total loss."
Comprehensive auto insurance is optional and covers damages to the car from theft such as broken glass, fires, vandalism and natural disasters.
Comprehensive coverage is relatively affordable. According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, comprehensive coverage ranges from $136-$160 annually or around $12 per month.
While part of auto insurance, neither liability nor collision coverage covers auto theft. Liability coverage is for damages to third parties when you’re at fault in an accident, covering their medical expenses for bodily injury and property damage.
Collision coverage is for damages to your car from a collision with another car or object, like a telephone pole. I want you to know that these coverages won’t help if your car gets stolen.
If thieves steal personal items from your car like electronics, clothing or tools. Your auto insurance won’t cover those losses. Instead, your homeowners or renters insurance might cover personal property stolen from a vehicle with the usual deductibles applied.
Some insurance providers also offer add-on coverages or endorsements that can provide additional theft coverage or benefits like rental vehicle coverage if your car gets stolen.
According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, comprehensive coverage is typically provides you full protection against car theft.
Those with leased or financed vehicles often find that their lenders require this coverage. But for those with older cars, weighing the cost vs benefit of keeping comprehensive coverage based on the vehicle’s current value is recommended.
Coverage Type | Stolen Car | Stolen Parts | Vandalism |
|---|---|---|---|
Comprehensive | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
Collision | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
Liability | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✗ No |
Personal Property | Depends* | Depends* | Depends* |
How does Car Insurance cover a Stolen Car?
While frustrating for the car owner, the car theft claim process is structured. It ensures a proper investigation and the right amount of compensation based on the insurance policy in place. When you find out your car has been stolen, you need to report the theft to the police. Having a police report is a must, not only for recovery efforts but also for the insurance claim. After reporting to the police, the next step is to contact your insurance provider.
You’ll be asked to give details such as the location and time of the theft, description of the vehicle, personal property lost inside the vehicle and the last known location of the car.
During this phase, you’ll also be asked to provide a list of personal items that might have been inside the car as these might be covered separately under homeowners or renters insurance.
Once the claim is filed, the insurance company will start an investigation. This process allows the insurance provider to validate the claim and determine the circumstances of the auto theft. An insurance adjuster will be assigned to your case and may ask for additional details such as spare keys, financial records or recent photos of the car.
They’ll also review the police report and may check for any liens on the vehicle. This phase ensures the claim is genuine and not a case of insurance fraud. Many insurance companies have a waiting period (often 30 days) to see if the car might be recovered before proceeding with compensation.
If the vehicle isn’t recovered during the waiting period or is found but deemed a total loss due to damages. Then the insurance company will pay you based on your policy’s terms.
If you have comprehensive coverage, you’ll be paid for the car’s actual cash value (ACV) at the time of theft minus the deductible. ACV is the car’s original value minus depreciation.
Once the claim amount is determined and agreed upon, the insurance company will issue a payout. If there’s a loan or lease on the stolen vehicle. Then the insurance payout might go first to the lienholder to pay off the outstanding amount and any remaining funds will go to the policyholder.
Filing a car theft claim can be stressful but understanding the process and keeping in touch with the insurance adjuster can make the experience smoother and get you a fair settlement.
Example Scenario | |
|---|---|
Vehicle Value | $25,000 |
Deductible | $500 |
Insurance Payout | $24,500 |
Does Car Insurance cover Stolen Vehicle Parts?
Car insurance can cover stolen car parts. But the extent of that coverage depends on the policy and the type of coverage you have. If you have comprehensive coverage in your auto insurance policy, stolen car parts are usually covered. Comprehensive insurance is for damages to your vehicle not caused by a collision, including theft, vandalism, natural disasters and other unexpected events.
For example, if a thief steals the wheels, radio, battery or catalytic converter from your parked car, comprehensive coverage will cover the loss minus the deductible.
Like other insurance claims, stolen car parts coverage has deductibles. If you have a $500 deductible and stolen parts amount to $2,000 in damages, the insurance will pay $1,500. You’re responsible for the $500 deductible.
Also note that the insurance payout is based on the actual cash value (ACV) of the stolen parts, factoring in depreciation. There may also be limits on certain parts especially if they’re aftermarket or custom parts that weren’t declared when the policy was established.
While thieves sometimes steal entire vehicles, in many cases they target specific high-value or easily resalable parts like GPS systems, high-end rims or catalytic converters. These partial thefts are common especially in areas where certain car parts are in high demand in the black market. Vandalism where car parts are intentionally damaged or removed is also covered under comprehensive insurance.
It’s always best to review your policy regularly to ensure you have comprehensive coverage especially if you live in an area prone to car thefts or vandalism.
On a preventive note, using anti-theft devices, parking in well-lit or secured areas and marking valuable parts with identifiable etchings can deter thieves and help recover stolen items.
While car insurance can cover stolen car parts through comprehensive insurance, policyholders must be aware of their coverage limits, deductibles and any specific exclusions. Proactive measures to deter theft can also provide an extra layer of protection.
Does Car Insurance Cover Theft of Personal Items?
Personal Property Insurance found in homeowners, renters and condo policies plays a big role in protecting the value of an individual’s belongings.
Its scope often covers a wide range of situations including theft. Understanding the specifics of this coverage can help policyholders navigate unfortunate events like burglaries or thefts better.
At its core, Personal Property insurance is designed to repair or replace personal belongings if they are stolen, damaged or destroyed due to covered perils. Theft is included in this type of coverage whether the items are stolen from your home, car or even while traveling. The scope of items covered is wide, from electronics and jewelry to furniture and clothing.
According to SmartFinancial, a unique feature of Personal Property insurance is its “off-premises” coverage. This means even if your belongings are stolen from places outside your primary residence, such as a hotel room or car, they might still be covered.
However, off-premises coverage is limited, usually a percentage of the overall personal property coverage amount. For example, a policy only covers up to 10% of the total personal property limit for items stolen off-premises.
Knowing the deductibles and limits of Personal Property insurance is important. A deductible is the amount the policyholder must pay out-of-pocket before the insurance kicks in.
Also, specific limits may be set for certain categories of items especially high-value ones like jewelry, art or collectibles. If the value of such items exceeds standard policy limits, policyholders may consider purchasing additional endorsements or riders to ensure adequate coverage.
Insurers use one of two methods when settling a claim for stolen items: Actual Cash Value (ACV) or Replacement Cost. ACV takes into account the item’s depreciation, meaning it pays out what it was worth at the time of theft, not its original purchase price.
Replacement cost pays the policyholder based on the current price of replacing the item with a new one without factoring in depreciation. Policies with replacement cost tend to have higher premiums but can provide more comprehensive coverage in a loss.
While Personal Property insurance covers stolen items, understanding its downsides is important. Policyholders should review their policies regularly, consider the value of their belongings and ensure they have the right type and amount of coverage to meet their needs.
What if my Stolen Car is Recovered?
If your stolen car is recovered after you’ve reported it to the police and your insurance company. Then several scenarios can unfold, largely dependent on the condition of the vehicle and the time frame of its recovery.
Once your vehicle is found, the police will notify you and your insurance company. Before you can take possession of it, the police might hold the car to process any evidence related to the theft.
If the car is found intact with minor damage, you can take possession and use it once the authorities release it. However, you should inform your insurance company if the car is damaged. If you have comprehensive coverage, the insurer will usually cover the repairs minus the deductible.
It’s recommended to have the vehicle inspected thoroughly for any damages, even if not visible, to ensure safety and performance.
If during the time the car was missing, your insurance company settled the claim and paid you for the vehicle’s value, the situation becomes more complicated. In many cases, if the insurance company has paid you for the total loss of the vehicle, they become the car’s owner.
You can buy the car back from the insurance company if you want to keep it especially if the damages are minor. Otherwise, the insurance company can take possession of the vehicle and sell it through an auction to recover some of their payout costs. The specifics vary depending on jurisdiction, insurance provider and policy details.
In any case, communication with the police and your insurance provider is key to navigate the complexities and get the best outcome.
How to Prevent Car Theft
A big stop to car theft is choosing your parking spots wisely, park in well-lit areas, near building entrances or near security cameras whenever possible. Thieves are less likely to target visible vehicles to passersby and surveillance systems.
Also, always make sure your vehicle is locked even if you’re stepping out for a minute. Physical barriers like steering wheel locks or brake pedal locks can also be effective deterrents, making the theft process difficult and time-consuming for criminals.
Modern cars have alarm systems but consider installing an aftermarket alarm for added security if yours doesn’t. Advanced systems can notify you on your phone if your vehicle is tampered with.
GPS tracking devices can also be very useful for tracking daily routes and locating a stolen vehicle. Also, always be aware of the interior of your car. Leaving valuables or electronics in plain sight can attract potential thieves.
You can store items out of sight, preferably in the trunk or glove compartment and always keep spare keys inside the vehicle. By combining technological aids with mindful practices, you reduce the chances of your car being an easy target.
Car theft can happen to anyone but having the right insurance and taking the proper precautions can give you peace of mind. Knowing the different types of auto insurance is key as they differ in coverage. One policy can cover vandalism (like comprehensive) and another can only cover medical expenses and damages to a third party (like liability).
Also, know the claims process and structure and how your daily habits can help you prevent incidents like theft.
