Someone Broke Into My Car and Stole Personal Items; Is It Covered By My Auto Insurance?

Today we’d like to answer a question we hear all the time - “Are my personal belongings covered if someone breaks into my car?”

Unfortunately, they typically are NOT covered!  Your auto insurance covers your car from damage and accidents, but not the items left inside from theft.

This happens a lot during the holidays, when people are out shopping and put gifts in their car between stops. Thieves roam parking lots and parking garages, knowing that busy shoppers often leave their just-purchased gifts in their car. Many times the result is a broken windshield and stolen items.

There are still ways to protect yourself.  

First, and most obvious, is to avoid keeping expensive items in your car in the first place.  This includes things like your laptop, iPad, and any new gifts. Also, if you're not taking your purse with you, hide it in a locked trunk or some other out-of-sight area.  You're just asking for someone to break into your car when you have nice things (or money and credit cards) on display, and it only takes seconds for them to get them!

If you’re out shopping, always keep your doors locked and hide items away in the trunk.  

But this isn’t always possible; some vehicles don't have trunks and, in other cases, some items are too large to fit in the trunk.  So you also want to make sure you’re covered by carrying renters or homeowners insurance for your personal belongings.  These policies include a certain amount of coverage for property off premises.  These are subject to your deductible, so make sure to discuss this with your SAV-ON agent to see what kind of coverage you currently have. 

With a little bit of prevention and good insurance, you’ve won’t have to worry about items being stolen from your car.  Have questions?  Give SAV-On a call at 888-867-2866 to discuss them anytime!