Have you ever walked out to your car only to find the window smashed and the inside destroyed? If that’s not bad enough, you feel your pockets and realize you left your phone in there. Knowing it is futile, you still search for it, but it’s gone. So it’s a good thing you have full coverage auto insurance, right?
Most people know that if your vehicle is stolen, the theft coverage from your auto insurance will help pay to replace it. The contents are a different story. The comprehensive portion of your auto insurance is what pays for non-accident-related losses. Unfortunately, the coverage only extends to the vehicle itself and not its contents. If you leave personal property in your vehicle, such as a laptop, cell phone or even your wallet, you may be out of luck.
There are a few things to consider when thinking about personal items in your vehicle and whether or not they would be covered in the event of a loss:
- Is an item permanently attached to your car? If it is easily removed or portable, it wouldn’t be considered permanently attached and not covered by your auto insurance.
- If an item is permanently attached to your car, but not original equipment (expensive stereo, aftermarket equipment, etc.), you probably need additional coverage. This is especially true with custom vehicles.
If you have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, items stolen from your vehicle should be covered. Naturally you will need proof you actually owned the lost items, most commonly a receipt. You will likely need to file a police report and follow the claims process, but at least you can get your property replaced. When considering whether to file a claim, remember that your homeowner’s policy probably has a higher deductible than your auto policy.
There is very little more disheartening than having a claim denied, especially when you are relying on the settlement money. They best way to avoid that from happening is to make sure you have the right coverage. Talk with your insurance professional and look over your policies to see that you are covered for everything you need to be.