Does Your Car Insurance Cover Property Theft from Your Auto?

Imagine this: You’ve waited in line all day to get your favorite niece, Virginia, a new Nintendo Wii. Finally, after more than twenty-four hours of standing, sitting, and lying in the aisles - with no bathroom breaks! - you get your hands on the hottest new video game system in the world. You take it out to your car and stash it in the back of your SUV, covering it with the blanket you slept on so that thieves won’t be tempted. Then you immediately drive across the mall parking lot to the nearest Starbucks (actually, you pass two on the way without noticing them) to get fueled up and use the little boys/girls room.

When you get home, you immediately head for your bedroom, but stop at the top of your stairs, realizing that you better not leave the Wii in the back of your car in this cold weather. Upon reaching the rear of your vehicle, your face turns as white as snow on the ground- the Wii is gone! Thieves must have watched you go from the store to Starbucks and hatched a plot to break into your car. Little Virginia will certainly be disappointed this Christmas, but at least your car insurance will cover the cost of the Wii - won’t it?

No, Virginia, There Is Not a Santa Claus - At Least Not in This Story

Unfortunately, property theft is not covered under most car insurance policies. When "theft" is discussed in comprehensive or other-than-collision coverage, it is referring to vehicle theft, not Wii theft. Many times, you can get a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy to cover theft of items from within your vehicle, but they’re not always worth their cost. The real solution is for you to avoid having your car broken into in the first place. Thief-proofing your car can actually bring you car insurance savings, as well.

But more than any anti-theft devices (which often come with car insurance discounts), the most important thing you can do is not leave your valuables or newly purchased goods in your car when you go into other stores to shop. Wrentham, Massachusetts has recently experienced a rash of car break-ins, and the local police department is urging vehicle owners to leave valuables at home, conceal them when they�re not in the car, or take them along when leaving the car.

More Tips For Thief-Proofing Your Car

Wrentham Police Chief Joseph Collamati and Detective Sergeant William McGrath have the following tips for protecting your valuables from car breaking and enterings:

• Targets of opportunity are public shopping areas, public parking lots and night time in neighborhoods: Be very careful in public areas and never leave your goodies in your car overnight - even in your own driveway!
• "Thieves are targeting vehicles with GPS devices that are left in plain view, often mounted on the inside windshield," McGrath says. Be aware that your GPS system may be a magnet to thieves, and prepare accordingly.
• McGrath also said that "it is also advised that shoppers avoid storing their purchases in their car to lighten their load and then return to their shopping." Just as in our story, may thieves watch people leave Best Buy with a hot new electronic gadget and plan the theft all along.
• Finally, McGrath concluded by saying that "riders on car insurance or homeowners� insurance policies may be available for the consumer to cover such loss, but the best protection is prevention by eliminating the temptation in the first place."

In-car property theft riders are certainly something to consider, and if you choose to go that route, you can find a quote on carinsurancerates.com. However, first and foremost, as the detective said, try to make your car less tempting for those who would do you harm. Your favorite niece will thank you for it!