Does Renters Insurance Cover Theft From Car?

If​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ your things get stolen from your car, can your renters’ insurance protect them? After a vehicle burglary, many renters face this perplexing issue. The solution is not easy. Nevertheless, knowing your insurance can help you save both money and worry. Here we explain how renters’ insurance and car theft are related, and how you can secure your belongings.

Does Renters Insurance Cover Theft from a Car?

In general, renters’ insurance covers belongings that are stolen from your car. The personal property section of your policy that goes beyond your leased apartment or house. Your belongings will be covered not only at home but also in your car or at the gym.

Here are some things you should keep in mind:

Coverage Details

• Your personal property coverage will pay for items stolen from your car.
• Your deductible is applied to any loss claim resulting from theft.
• The maximum amount you can claim is your policy’s total personal property limit.
• The value of covered items is either their actual cash value or their replacement cost, depending on your policy.

Basically, this insurance covers your belongings in the same way as it would if the theft occurred in your apartment. When you lodge a claim with the insurance company, they will evaluate the stolen items and pay you back after deducting your share.

What Types of Items Are Covered?

If the thieves steal your car, your renters’ insurance will be there with you to cover various personal belongings. Knowing the details of the coverage can serve as a guide for you to decide whether to keep valuable items in your car.

Commonly Covered Items

Your insurance usually covers things you may leave in your car daily:

• Clothes and shoes
• Electronic gadgets like laptops, tablets, and cell phones
• Sports gear and gym bags
• Handbags and wallets
• Bags with purchased goods
• Books and study materials

Items With Special Limits

Some costly items are not covered. You may want to get extra insurance if you have:

• Jewelry and watches (the amount that is usually granted is from $1,000 to $2,000)
• Money and gift cards (generally limited from $200 to $500)
• Artwork and collectibles
• Musical instruments

Getting a rider or an endorsement added to your policy is something you should think about if you always carry valuable items with you. With this, you can have insurance for your pricey belongings, which will not be limited to the standard ones only.

How Does This Differ From Auto Insurance?

When people talk about car theft, they sometimes mix up renters’ insurance and auto insurance. These two insurances have their specific functions and coverage.

Renters insurance is what you need if you want your things inside the car to be covered. On the other hand, auto insurance gives you coverage for the car and its parts that cannot be moved. For example, if the thief has smashed your car window to take your laptop, then it is renters’ insurance that will cover the laptop. Your auto insurance through the comprehensive section is the one that will cover the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌window.

Key Differences

You need both types of insurance for complete protection. Neither policy alone covers everything related to a car break-in.

What​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Should You Do After a Theft?

If you find that something has been stolen from your car, one of the most important things that you can do is to act swiftly because it will increase your odds of claim approval, and also it might assist in the recovery of your items.

Immediate Actions

Immediately file a police report. Your insurance company needs this document to process the claim. It is very important to obtain the report along with the case number.

Make a record of all the things that were stolen from you. In your list, make sure you give the description, when you bought them, and their approximate value. If you can, take pictures of the receipts or the things themselves, because that will make your claim stronger.

Contact your insurance agent within 24 to 48 hours. Inform about the theft and thus initiate the claims procedure. Your insurer will advise you on their requirements.

Claim Process

Your insurance company will assign an adjuster to review your case. They’ll ask for:

• The police report
• List of stolen items
• Proof of ownership when possible
• Photos of the break-in damage

After assessing your claim, the adjuster will suggest the payout amount. Compensation will be given to you after deducting the amount of your deductible.

Should You File a Theft Claim?

Theft does not always occur to a level where making an insurance claim would be justified. Think about the worth of the things that were stolen as opposed to the amount of your deductible and the possibility of your insurance premiums going up.

Add up the value of all stolen goods. If the money is just slightly more than your deductible, you might be better off paying for it yourself. Insurance claims could cause your premium to be increased the next time your policy is up for renewal.

Making several claims within a short amount of time is going to signal to insurers that you are a high-risk customer.

If the loss from theft is less than $500, then it is advisable that you bear the cost. Insurance coverage is better suited for the times when you suffer a financial blow that is beyond your capability to manage alone.

How Can You Avoid Car Theft?

Think of prevention as the best measure that not only protects you from experiencing the adversity of going through the claims procedure but also shields you from the additional loss of those items that cannot be replaced. There are a number of simple steps that you can take to keep your car out of the radar of thieves.

Do not at any point leave valuables out in the open in your car. Put your stuff in the trunk right before you get to your place. Park your car in areas that are well-lit and have lots of pedestrian traffic. Refrain from using isolated spots where you cannot see one another, and thus, criminals can act without being spotted.

Develop a habit of locking your doors every time you get out of your car.

Get rid of anything that can make a thief try to open your car:

• GPS and phone mounts
• Cables for charging
• Sunglasses and other small accessories
• Shopping bags
• Any kind of electronic device

If your car usually stays a long time in an area where crime is at its highest, then it is a good idea to install an alarm system. Along with that, simply display warning stickers, which can be enough to discourage thieves from targeting your vehicle.

Related: How to Compare Renters Insurance for the Best Prices

Conclusion

Renters insurance does cover theft from your car; thus, it is a great thing for anyone who stores their stuff in their vehicle. If theft occurs, knowing your coverage limits, deductible, and claim process will help you make excellent decisions.

The right mix of good security habits along with adequate insurance coverage will safeguard your possessions. You should take your time to go through your policy to find out if the coverage amounts are in line with the value of the items that you usually carry around with you. Wherever your belongings go, they deserve to be ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌protected.