Does Liability Insurance Cover Theft?

When it comes to protecting your vehicle, understanding your car insurance policy is essential. One of the most common questions car owners ask is: Does liability insurance cover theft? The answer is no—liability insurance does not cover thefttypically. This type of insurance is designed to cover damages and injuries you may cause to others in an accident, not to protect your own vehicle in case of theft. However, there are other types of car insurance policies that offer protection in the event of theft. Read on to learn more about if liability covers theft. 

Car Theft Insurance: When Am I Entitled to Coverage? 

Does liability cover theft? Let’s say your car was stolen near Chapel Hill. If you have comprehensive coverage, you should be covered up to the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your vehicle. Similarly, if your car is damaged due to a break-in, you’ll also be covered. Broken glass, door locks, ignition systems, etc., will be covered under comprehensive insurance. 

Unfortunately, stolen personal items, such as a wallet, briefcase, or smartphone, aren’t covered; you’ll need to submit a claim to your homeowners or renters insurance company. So no, liability does not cover thefthere. If your car waswere stolen with items inside, you’d need to submit claims to both your homeowners or renters and auto insurance companies. 

What to Do When Your Car is Stolen

Now you know the answer to: Does car insurance cover theft? Nevertheless,having your car stolen in Durham, or anywhere for that matter, is a stressful experience. You’ll have to deal with your loss of freedom resulting from not being able to travel normally from Raleigh to Cary. You also may be dealing with stolen personal effects (this is why it’s always recommended to keep your vehicle title separate from your vehicle itself). If your car was recently stolen, here’s what to do:

1. Call the police and give them a detailed description of your vehicle (make, model, color, license plate number, VIN, etc.). Also, let them know when and where you last had your vehicle and any information you have on its anti-theft system, GPS, or other systems to help you locate it more easily.
2. Contact your car insurance provider within 24 hours of the potential theft. They’ll likely want to know about any valuables left in the vehicle and probably also want a copy of the police report.
3. Know that your car may never be found. If it is, you’ll want to inspect it thoroughly.
4. Consider purchasing an anti-theft product/service from our finance team for your next vehicle. 

Filing a Police Report & Insurance Claim 

If your car was stolen, it’s important to file a police report within 24 hours of the theft, as mentioned above. You’ll also need to submit your claim/s to your insurance providers. Here’s what you need to complete both of these steps: 

Police Report

• VIN and license plate number 
• Car’s year, make, and model 
• Location and the estimated time of the theft 
• Identifying vehicle traits, such as bumper stickers or accessories

Insurance Claim:

• Certificate of Title 
• Location of the car keys before and after the car was stolen. 
• Names and info of all parties who had access to your car 
• Vehicle description, i.e., mileage, service records, upgrades, and options 
• List of personal items that may have been stolen with the car 
• Financing or leasing company contact info and your account number

Learn More About Car Theft Insurance at Hendrick Cadillac Southpoint

If you’re asking if car insurance covers theft, the answer is yes, but only with comprehensive coverage. Without it, liability insurance alone won’t protect your vehicle from theft. Be sure to speak with your insurance provider to make sure your policy includes the necessary coverage to protect against car theft. Contact us today if you have questions about car theft insurance, or want to learn more about if car insurance covers theft.