Updated: June 26, 2025
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Homeowners insurance can cover personal items stolen from your car, such as laptops, clothing and bags, but not the car itself.
Certain items are excluded, including cash, business equipment and high-value valuables. To protect those, you may need scheduled personal property coverage, which allows you to list specific items (like jewelry or expensive electronics) for full financial protection beyond your standard policy limits.
Filing a claim could raise your premium, so consider comparing the value of your loss against your deductible before moving forward.
Yes, most home insurance policies cover personal belongings stolen from your car under off-premises personal property coverage. This protection applies whether your car was parked at home, work or on the road.
Off-premises coverage typically caps at 10% of your personal property coverage. If your policy includes $150,000 in personal property coverage, you'd have up to $15,000 to replace stolen or damaged items from your vehicle.
Homeowners insurance typically covers various types of personal belongings stolen from your car, including electronics and clothing. This off-premises coverage helps you recover the value of items taken during a break-in, even when they’re outside your home. Here are examples of items commonly covered:
Coverage limits and exclusions vary, so check your homeowners insurance policy to see exactly what’s protected.
Standard homeowners insurance won't cover everything stolen from your car. Items like cash, important documents, business equipment and high-value valuables are typically excluded. Review your policy and consider scheduled personal property coverage if you regularly carry expensive or non-covered items.
Standard homeowners insurance may not fully cover high-value items stolen from your car. To close this gap, you can add scheduled personal property coverage to your policy. This optional coverage lets you itemize valuables like jewelry, high-end electronics or collectibles, so they’re covered at their appraised value, even if stolen from your vehicle. It’s especially useful if you regularly carry expensive items that exceed your policy’s limits.
If personal items are stolen from your car, filing a homeowners insurance claim starts with a police report and prompt communication with your insurer. Following the right steps can help speed up your claim and improve your chances of reimbursement.
File a report with your local police department as soon as possible. Keep the report number, as your insurer will require it for the claim.
List everything that was taken, including descriptions, estimated values and any proof of ownership like receipts or photos.
Notify your insurer, provide the police report number and ask what documentation they’ll need from you.
Provide your insurer with the police report, list of stolen items and any other requested documents to support your claim.
An adjuster may contact you to verify details, assess your claim and determine the payout based on your policy limits.
While homeowners insurance may help replace stolen belongings, preventing a break-in is always the better option. Simple precautions can make your car less appealing to thieves and reduce the risk of loss. Here are practical tips to help protect your belongings:
Even quick stops provide enough time for theft. Always lock up, even at home.
Keep electronics, bags and other personal items out of view, or take them with you.
Well-lit, visible areas deter thieves from targeting parked vehicles.
Audible alarms can deter theft and draw attention if someone tries to break in.
Don't leave valuables in your car overnight. Bring them inside whenever possible.
Obscuring visibility into your car reduces temptation and makes theft riskier.
Stay alert to where you park. Choose high-traffic, secure areas when possible.
These habits won’t guarantee protection, but they can lower your risk and help avoid the stress of a theft and insurance claim.
Homeowners insurance typically covers personal items stolen from your car through off-premises personal property coverage, with limits typically set at 10% of your personal property coverage amount. If your belongings were stolen, you may be reimbursed up to that limit, depending on your policy and deductible. However, exclusions apply for certain items like cash, business equipment or high-value valuables.
If you're dealing with a car break-in or want to understand your coverage, here are answers to common questions about how homeowners insurance applies when items are stolen from your vehicle.
Yes, most standard homeowners insurance policies include off-premises personal property coverage, which protects belongings stolen from your vehicle. This coverage usually has limits, often up to 10% of your personal property coverage amount.
No, homeowners insurance only covers personal items stolen from your vehicle — not damage to the car itself. For physical damage like broken windows or locks, you’ll need comprehensive auto insurance.
Homeowners insurance usually excludes cash, business property, important documents and high-value items like fine jewelry unless you’ve added scheduled personal property coverage.
Most insurers require a police report to process a theft claim. Always report the incident promptly and keep the report number for your insurance documentation.
It might. Frequent claims or high-value losses can lead to higher premiums or policy changes at renewal. Consider the value of stolen items versus your deductible before filing a claim.
MoneyGeek builds its insurance insights using independent data analysis and industry best practices. To assess coverage for items stolen from vehicles, we reviewed homeowners insurance policies from major providers and consulted regulatory filings submitted to state Departments of Insurance. We also analyzed coverage details related to off-premises personal property limits and common exclusions.
Our recommendations reflect general trends across insurers but may vary based on your provider, location and specific policy. Always review your own homeowners insurance policy or speak to your insurer to understand your coverage for off-premises theft, including any applicable limits, deductibles and optional add-ons.
About Mark Fitzpatrick
Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. With over five years of experience analyzing the insurance market, he conducts original research and creates tailored content for all types of buyers. His insights have been featured in publications like CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.
Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!
Passionate about economics and insurance, he aims to promote transparency in financial topics and empower others to make confident money decisions.
