Last Updated December 2025
- Comprehensive coverage in an auto policy can help cover costs if a car is stolen or damaged in a break-in.
- Items stolen from a car are considered off-premises personal property and are typically covered by a homeowners or renters policy, not auto insurance.
- After a theft, document the loss, file a police report and contact your insurer.
If your car is broken into or stolen, either your auto insurance or your homeowners/renters insurance can help with losses — sometimes both.
Does auto insurance cover theft of a vehicle?
Auto insurance can help if your car is stolen — but only if you have comprehensive coverage in your policy. Comprehensive coverage can help pay for costs related to theft and non-collision damage such as vandalism or fire.
If your car is stolen and it’s not recovered, comprehensive coverage can pay up to the vehicle’s actual cash value, meaning what it’s worth after depreciation for age and use. If you get your car back but it’s damaged, comprehensive coverage can help with the cost of repairs related to the theft after you pay your comprehensive deductible.
Items in your car may or may not be covered:
- Comprehensive coverage is optional and not included in liability-only policies.
- Permanently installed car parts — factory-installed media centers, catalytic converters or airbags, for example — are normally covered by comprehensive coverage; custom add-ons and upgrades may require special coverage.
- Dash cams, bike racks and other extra equipment, even though they’re attached to the vehicle, typically are not considered permanently installed but could be covered as personal property under a homeowners or renters policy, just like laptops, phones, golf clubs and other belongings often left in cars.
Does auto insurance cover personal items stolen from a car?
Auto insurance typically does not cover personal belongings stolen from a vehicle. Instead, personal property taken from your car, like phones, laptops, luggage or sports gear, is usually covered by homeowners or renters insurance.
If someone breaks into your car and steals your belongings:
- Auto insurance may help pay for vehicle damage from the break‑in, depending on your coverage.
- Homeowners or renters insurance may help pay for stolen belongings.
Auto vs. home or renters insurance for theft coverage
Homeowners insurance and renters insurance both include personal property coverage, which can help with the cost of replacing your belongings if they’re stolen from your car, within policy limits. Auto insurance can help with costs if your vehicle itself is stolen or damaged in a break-in where your belongings are taken.
Here’s how it typically works, at a glance:
| AM I COVERED? | AUTO INSURANCE (Comprehensive) | HOMEOWNERS (Personal Property) | RENTERS (Personal Property) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car stolen | Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage. Covered up to its actual cash value (its value after depreciation). | No | No |
| Laptop, phone, other personal items stolen from a car | No |
Covered up to its actual cash value (after depreciation) or replacement cost, depending on your coverage. Covered under “off-premises” limit, typically 10% of personal property coverage limit. |
Covered up to its actual cash value (after depreciation) or replacement cost, depending on your coverage. Covered under “off-premises” limit, typically 10% of personal property coverage limit. |
| Break-in damage or vandalism, like a smashed window or broken lock | Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage |
No |
No |
| High-value items | No |
Covered up to the “off-premises” limit, usually 10% of your personal property limit. Add-on coverage may be available. |
Covered up to the “off-premises” limit, usually 10% of your personal property limit. Add-on coverage may be available. |
Where does coverage apply?
Examples:
Your car is stolen from your driveway. Comprehensive coverage in your auto policy can help with the theft of the vehicle; homeowners/renters can help with belongings inside (up to the off-premises limit, even though it’s your driveway).
Your car window is smashed at a trailhead, and your backpack is taken. Comprehensive coverage can help with the car’s broken glass; homeowners/renters can help with the cost of replacing stolen items.
The paint on your new pickup is keyed in a dark parking lot. Comprehensive coverage can help with the cost of repairing the vandalism.
Your high-end bicycle disappears off your car rack. Homeowners or renters insurance can help with the cost of replacing your bike, up to your coverage limit on off-premises losses. Auto insurance does not cover property stolen from a vehicle.
How Farmers® can help you protect yourself from theft
Farmers offers multiple coverage options to help you cover theft losses:
Auto insurance with optional comprehensive coverage
Homeowners insurance with personal property coverage
Renters insurance with personal property coverage
A Farmers agent can help you review your personal property limits and optional coverages.
How to file a theft claim
If your vehicle is stolen or suffers a break-in:
- Make sure everyone is safe.
- Contact law enforcement, file a report and get a report number.
- Document damage to the vehicle and list stolen items.
- Notify your auto insurer if your vehicle is stolen or damaged in a break‑in.
- Notify your homeowners/renters insurer if belongings were stolen from your vehicle.
- Work with your claim representative to understand your limits, deductibles and the value of your vehicle and belongings.
Insurance coverage and theft FAQs
Does auto insurance cover stolen cars?
Comprehensive coverage in an auto insurance policy can help if your insured car is stolen. If you get your car back but it’s damaged, this coverage can also help with repair costs. If your car is not recovered, comprehensive coverage can pay the actual cash value (after depreciation) of the vehicle.
Does auto insurance cover stolen personal items?
Typically, no; belongings stolen from a vehicle usually fall under the personal property coverage in a homeowners or renters insurance policy.
What type of insurance covers theft from a vehicle?
Personal property coverage in a homeowners/renters insurance policy can help with costs related to property stolen from a car. Comprehensive coverage in an auto policy may help with repairs if a vehicle is damaged during a break-in.
The information contained in this page is provided for general informational purposes only. The information is provided by Farmers® and while we endeavor to keep the information up to date and correct, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to this article or the information, products, services or related graphics, if any, contained in this article for any purpose. The information is not meant as professional or expert advice, and any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk.
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