There is nothing quite worse than experiencing theft from your car or home. When it happens to you, you may be unsure of what your options are. It is a very common question to ask if auto insurance covers items stolen from the vehicle. In general, it does not.
However, your home insurance or renter's insurance may offer this coverage. You may also have coverage for items lost in your car due to a covered incident, such as vandalism or storm damage.
What Should You Do?
Any time any type of theft occurs, the first step to take is to back away from the space or car and to call the police. You do not want to damage any evidence present. Leave the scene in the exact condition as you found it. This can help preserve your chances of the police finding your lost items or the person who broke into your car.
After this, contact your insurance carriers. You should call both your car insurance provider and your property insurance provider. If you have comprehensive auto insurance, it may cover any damage to the car from the theft. This may include damage to the electronics, windows, or door. Your auto insurance may also cover items stolen that are a part of your car. This may include your vehicle's stereo or GPS system. Your car insurance will likely not cover, though, the value of the item lost in the car. For example, it will not cover the laptop you left in the vehicle.
Once you contact the police, file a police report. Provide as much information as possible to your police department. Take photos of the vehicle as well. This information can then help the police and your insurer to process the incident. Your insurer will contact you to provide you with any feedback or claim approval. They can help you understand how your policy will cover a claim.
This is also a good time to consider improving the safety of your car. You may be able to lower your auto insurance rate if you do so. Discuss any opportunities to bundle your home and renter's insurance, too. This ensures that you have coverage if something like this should happen again. Take steps to prevent theft, vandalism, and other damage to your car whenever possible. Don't overlook the importance of working with your agent to improve your policy for added protection.
For more information on auto insurance, let Altima Auto Insurance answer your questions. Call us (817) 274-1222 to get a Fort Worth auto insurance quote.