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Does Insurance Cover Stolen Items from Your Car?
September 4, 2025
Imagine you must run into your child’s school for a meeting and your personal laptop is stolen from your car. Can you file a claim with your auto insurance provider? What about if you’re parked overnight on the street and someone steals your tires? In today’s blog, we answer the important question: does insurance cover stolen items from your car? We also highlight what’s typically stolen and how to prevent it from happening to you.
Most Stolen Items from Cars
- Laptops, Cell Phones, Tablets & Earbuds: The more valuable the electronic, the more likely a thief is to target your vehicle.
- Purses, Wallets, Credit Cards & Jewelry: Because of their broad appeal and value, it’s especially important to never leave your purse, wallet, credit cards, or jewelry in your vehicle.
- Stereos, Speakers & GPS Devices: Stereos, speakers, and removable GPS devices are among the most stolen items from cars.
- License Plates, Tags & Registration: Thieves often steal license plates because they don’t have insurance, they have a suspended license, or they’re driving a stolen vehicle.
- Catalytic Converters: Because of the value of the metals used and the ease of removal, catalytic converter theft remains a very real threat, especially if you drive a hybrid, an SUV, or a truck.
- Rims & Tires: New tires and rims have good resale value and are easy to steal, making them another one of the most stolen items from cars.
Does Insurance Cover Stolen Items from Your Car?
It depends. Most people have personal property coverage under their Homeowners or Renters insurance, which means that their policy would cover stolen belongings like a personal laptop computer, golf clubs, or other valuables. That said, you are subject to whatever limits and deductibles exist in your policy, including limits on unscheduled valuables like jewelry, firearms, and even cash.
Car parts like tires and catalytic converters would only be covered under a comprehensive car insurance policy up to your coverage limit and minus your deductive. That said, most auto policies don’t cover the replacement of aftermarket, custom parts, or car modifications over a certain amount.
How to Prevent Car Theft?
- Always lock your car, even when you’re driving. While some thieves may pick locks or break windows, they’re often looking for quick and easy marks, so locking the door could be enough of a deterrent.
- Be mindful of what you leave in your car, and how visible it is. If, for example, you must leave a valuable electronic in your car for some reason, make sure it is not visible from outside of the vehicle.
- Pay attention to where you park. Always park your vehicle in a well-lit, highly trafficked area. Wherever you park, make sure to move your vehicle if you notice anyone suspicious loitering in the area.
Not sure if you have comprehensive car insurance through Grange? Unsure of what’s covered in your Homeowners insurance policy? Contact your independent insurance agent in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, or Wyoming today. They can help you determine if you have enough coverage.
In the meantime, check out our insurance blog where we cover everything from what you need to know about car theft and auto insurance to does Homeowners insurance cover theft?
The content available via Grange.com is for informational purposes only and may not be used for any other purpose. Content provided or expressed on Grange.com, including that of third parties, may not reflect Grange Insurance Association’s (GIA) policies or conform to any agreement you may have with GIA and its subsidiary companies. Please contact a licensed insurance agent to obtain particular advice.
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