1. Home
  2. auto insurance

Does Car Insurance Cover Theft? Understanding Your Policy’s Protection

Find out if car insurance covers theft and what types of coverage are needed to protect your vehicle from theft, vandalism, and break-ins. Learn more.

Save hundreds today by comparing quotes from the nation’s top insurance companies

shield No junk mail. Instant results. Always free.

ProgressiveLiberty MutualRoot
The GeneralAmerican FamilyElephant
Amani Turnage

shieldWhy You Can Trust EverQuote

EverQuote powers millions of shopper requests every month, teaming up with industry-leading insurance specialists to address real-world challenges faced by people every day. We partner with the largest insurance providers in the nation, and our content is carefully crafted by experts and reviewed by licensed insurance agents for accuracy and relevance.

What do you do if your car is stolen? Most of us never want to have to know this information, but it's invaluable should you ever suspect a thief has taken your car. One of the most important questions to ask is, "Does car insurance cover theft?"

The answer is yes, but not always. Let's break it down.

Car Insurance and Theft: What Coverage Do You Need To Protect Your Vehicle?

Some auto insurance policies cover theft, but not all policies. Understanding your insurance policy is crucial for knowing whether or not your vehicle is protected from theft.

What Types of Car Insurance Include Theft Coverage?

Auto insurance companies offer several types of coverages. The most basic type of auto insurance coverage is liability coverage, which is mandated in nearly every state. However, you don't have to have any more coverage than the legally mandated minimum. As such, theft isn't covered under every policy.

Most motorists choose to add:

  • Collision coverage to protect against accidents 
  • Comprehensive coverage to protect against acts of nature and unexpected occurrences like theft

Comprehensive vs. Liability: Which One Protects Against Theft?

Liability coverage does not protect against theft. It simply ensures that if you are at fault in an accident with another driver, you have some insurance coverage to pay the driver's medical and repair bills.

Comprehensive car insurance, on the other hand, does protect against theft.

What To Do if Your Car Is Stolen

When you realize your car has been stolen, you'll likely ask, "Does car insurance cover car theft?" The answer depends on your insurance policy. 

Immediate Steps To Take After a Theft

If you have theft insurance under your comprehensive coverage, however, the steps are simple.

  1. Call the police. Your insurance company may not pay a theft claim without a police report, so immediately call the police and provide the vehicle identification number (VIN), vehicle make and model, tracking device information if you have one, and where and when you last saw your car.
  2. Call your auto insurance company. Notify your insurance company that your car was stolen. If it's not recovered, you can file an auto insurance claim if you have comprehensive insurance. If you're wondering if your car insurance covers theft of personal items, it does not. However, you should still include a list of personal belongings that were in the vehicle, as they may be covered by a renters or homeowners insurance policy.
  3. Inform your leaser or lender. If you're leasing or in the process of buying the car, you must let your financier know that the car has gone missing.

Also, remember that it's possible your car was towed rather than stolen. Look around where you parked for restricted parking signs and tow zones. If you find a number to call the tow truck company, check with them before calling the police to report the car stolen.

Here's more on what to do if your car is towed.

How Comprehensive Car Insurance Covers Theft Claims

Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your car from things other than collisions, including vandalism, acts of nature, and theft.

What Comprehensive Insurance Covers in Case of Car Theft

The answer to "Does insurance cover car theft?" is yes, but it's a bit more complicated than that. Comprehensive insurance will cover repairs to a damaged vehicle that's recovered after theft. Or it will cover the cost of replacing a stolen car (minus your deductible). 

However, comprehensive coverage only pays up to the car's fair market value at the time of the theft. That means that if you financed your car and it isn't recovered, you may still owe money on it while replacing it with a car of lesser value.

Will Theft Coverage Pay for a Stolen or Damaged Vehicle?

Good coverage car insurance will pay for repairs or a replacement vehicle, but it may come up short if your car is an older model or you paid above market value for it. This is where gap insurance comes into play.

Gap insurance covers the difference between the check from the insurance company and what you still owe on the stolen vehicle.

How To File a Car Theft Insurance Claim

Even if you don't have comprehensive insurance, you should still file an insurance claim. Full coverage car insurance covers theft, but you still want to make sure the insurer knows you're not responsible for injuries or property damage caused by the thief, regardless of your coverage.

Steps for Filing a Theft Claim With Your Insurer

Filing a theft claim is typically pretty straightforward. Most insurance companies let you submit auto insurance claims online, but given a theft's severity and time sensitivity, it's best to call. 

When you call, have this information available:

  • Car title, if you have it
  • The account number and contact information for the lending or leasing company, if applicable
  • Names and contact information for those who had access to the car
  • The location of all car keys (before and after the theft)
  • A list of personal belongings in the vehicle when it was stolen
  • Any information you can recall about the car's mileage, service records, warranties and receipts, and upgrades

How Long Does It Take for Insurance To Pay After Theft?

Frankly, it depends on the insurance company and your policy. Usually, though, auto insurance companies wait at least 30 days to give the police a chance to recover the vehicle before issuing payment.

Tips for Preventing Car Theft

Some good ways to help you prevent car theft include:

  • Never leave the car running and unoccupied
  • Keep windows rolled up and doors locked when you park
  • Never leave a set of keys in the car
  • Park in well-lit areas
  • Hide valuable items that may attract thieves
  • Install a car alarm
  • Install a GPS tracking system to assist in vehicle recovery

Shop Around for the Best Car Insurance Quotes

Does car insurance cover theft? Yes, but only if you pay for it. To find the best comprehensive coverage at the best insurance rates, utilize online comparison tools like EverQuote. With EverQuote, you can get clear answers about how comprehensive insurance works and find the right coverage to protect your vehicles.

FAQs

Does car insurance cover it being stolen?
+
Car insurance covers theft only if you have opted for comprehensive coverage.
What can insurance protect you from theft?
+
When you opt for comprehensive car insurance, you'll have theft coverage.
What does theft insurance include?
+
Theft insurance is a component of comprehensive car insurance. It covers repairs to a recovered stolen vehicle or the cost of a replacement vehicle (at the fair market value of the stolen vehicle at the time of theft).