Does car insurance cover stolen cars? How does insurance work if your car is stolen?
An auto insurance policy can cover a stolen car if it includes comprehensive insurance coverage. Your vehicle is covered by comprehensive coverage if it is damaged or stolen due to a non-accident occurrence like theft, fire, animal damage, or weather-related events.
Please read on for more detailed information.
Does Car Insurance Cover Car Theft?
Only if you have comprehensive coverage can insurance replace your car if it is stolen. Your car may sustain damage from non-accident sources, such as animals, the elements, vandalism, and theft, which your comprehensive insurance may cover.
Theft of any personal property from inside the car is not covered by comprehensive insurance, it should be noted. Alternatively, your home or renters insurance might cover your personal property.
Comprehensive car insurance is not required by any state. Keep in mind, though, that your insurance coverage is constrained if your policy only offers the bare minimum required by your state or if you only add-on collision insurance. Consequently, if your vehicle is stolen, you cannot file an insurance claim. Check for How to File a Third-party Car Insurance Claim?
How Much is Comprehensive Insurance?
On its own, comprehensive insurance is an affordable add-on to your auto insurance policy. It will only add $34 to your monthly budget on average.
However, it is important to keep in mind that comprehensive insurance requires a deductible in addition to the additional monthly payment, which means you will be responsible for a portion of the cost when you submit a claim.
Compare how much auto insurance costs with only comprehensive coverage versus a full coverage policy with increased limits below:
| Comprehensive Only | 50/100/50 Liability Only | 50/100/50 w/ Comprehensive and Collision | |
| Monthly | $34 | $75 | $109 |
| 6 Months | $207 | $449 | $656 |
| Annual | $413 | $898 | $1,311 |
What Else Does Comprehensive Car Insurance Cover?
Comprehensive insurance can aid in paying for damage brought on by events other than collisions in addition to theft.
For instance, comprehensive coverage can pay for damages caused by:
- vandalism
- natural disasters
- fires
- animal damage
- slight negligence
- civil disturbances
When you carelessly back out of your driveway without looking for other cars, that is negligence. If, however, you left your keys inside the vehicle, your provider might deny a theft claim because this shows a greater level of carelessness.
Does Auto Insurance Cover Personal Items Inside a Stolen Car?
No, in the event that your car is stolen, the valuables inside will not be covered by your auto insurance.
If, for instance, you have a laptop stored in your car or something else that’s valuable, you cannot expect your car insurance to pay for the replacement. Your homeowners or renters insurance, up to the limit stated on your policy, may instead provide coverage for personal property found inside your vehicle. But, How Much Will Insurance Pay for My Totaled Car?
What Do You Do If Your Car is Stolen?
As soon as you are certain that your car has been stolen, call the police to report it and then follow their instructions. Make a call to your insurer and explain the circumstance. Your safety is also protected if your car is used to harm someone or commit a crime by getting in touch with them.
Here are the three key steps to take if your vehicle has been stolen :
- Be sure your vehicle is stolen: Even though your first instinct will be to call the police right away, give it some thought and see if it was actually stolen. Maybe it could have been towed? You gave it out on loan, right? You know of anyone else who has access to your keys, right? Possibly repossessed, perhaps?
- Call the police: Make a call to the police in your area to begin an investigation. You will be expected to provide a detailed explanation of your vehicle, including the make, model, license plate, VIN, and details surrounding the event. Also let the police know if your car has any technology, like a telematics system, that might allow them to locate it.
- Call your insurer: Dial your insurer as soon as you’ve submitted a report. If it is used maliciously, this will shield you. Give as much information as you can, mentioning any personal items that were at the time in the car.
How Do You File a Claim for a Stolen Car?
When you file a car insurance claim for a stolen vehicle, expect your insurer to open a investigation.
You will be expected to provide the following information :
- When and where the incident occurred :the date, time, and place that it was stolen.
- Vehicle details :Year, make, model, miles, and any additional identifying features (stickers, scratches, etc.).
- Police report: The police report you filed will be requested by insurers.
Tips to Prevent Automobile Theft
You can avoid auto theft. In fact, nearly half of thefts are due to driver error – leaving the doors unlocked, keys in the ignition, etc. Follow these prevention tips to lower the chances of your automobile being involved with theft :
- Always lock your vehicle :Before you exit your car, double-check that all the doors are locked.
- No spare key: Never leave an extra key in your car or any other prominent location.
- Never leave the it running: Never start your car without someone inside while leaving the keys in the ignition.
- Park in the garage :Use your home’s garage if you have one.
- Keep windows rolled up when parked: Before leaving, make sure your windows and sunroof are closed.
- Park in well-lit areas :Always park in busy, well-lit areas, especially after dark.
- Invest in anti-theft devices: Installing a theft prevention device will make it more difficult to steal, less of a target for thieves, and you could qualify for auto insurance discounts.
- Keep valuables out of plain sight :Never leave anything valuable, including your phone, wallet, or shopping bags, in plain sight.
- Make sure you have the correct insurance :Speak with a consultant right away if you’re unsure whether you have auto theft protection.
Learn more about how does car insurance work
What Happens If My Car is Recovered?
About 46% of stolen cars in the US are found. Even if your car belongs to that group, it might have damage or be missing parts.
Unless the cost of repairs exceeds the value of the vehicle, which would render it a total loss, your insurance company will pay for the repairs.
- If your insurer decides to repair your car and you have comprehensive coverage, it will pay for the repairs, less any potential deductible you may have to pay.
- The insurer will compensate you for the vehicle’s actual cash value less the same deductible if it determines it is not worth saving.
After your insurer has settled your claim and your vehicle is recovered, your insurance company will probably assume ownership. You might need to return the claim money, though, if you haven’t purchased a replacement car. Your provider would handle this on a case-by-case basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Car Insurance Cover Theft If I Leave the Engine On?
Yes, comprehensive insurance typically pays for the replacement of your vehicle in the event of theft, regardless of whether you leave the engine running or forget to take the keys.
What Kinds of Car Insurance Cover Theft?
The only kind of auto insurance that will cover a stolen vehicle is comprehensive. It covers all causes of damage to your car, excluding collisions, such as vandalism, hail, or water damage.
Does Car Insurance Cover Items Or Gifts Left in My Car?
In the unfortunate event that your car is stolen, even comprehensive insurance does not cover the items left inside. Fortunately, the majority of home or renters insurance policies will pay for these losses, even if they are not taken from inside your house.
Summary: Does Car Insurance Cover Stolen Cars?
Does Car Insurance Cover Stolen Cars? Comprehensive auto insurance should be adequate to cover up to the actual cash value (ACV) of your car in the event of theft or damage caused by a break-in.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment. KV Auto tries to give you the best car industry information. Thank you for reading.
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