Does Liability Insurance Cover Theft?

When it comes to protecting your vehicle, you may wonder if liability insurance covers theft. The short answer is no. Liability insurance typically covers damages or injuries you cause to others in an accident, but it doesn’t offer protection for the theft of your vehicle. If you want to know if car insurance covers theft, you’ll need to look into specific policies like comprehensive coverage, which is designed to protect against non-collision incidents such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. If you’re unsure about your coverage or want to know more, the team at Hendrick Cadillac Cary is here to help you understand the ins and outs of car theft insurance and how to protect your vehicle best. 

Car Theft Insurance: When Am I Entitled to Coverage? 

Let’s say your car was stolen near Morrisville. 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. If your car were 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

Having your car stolen in Cary, 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 Apex to Durham. 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, upgrade, 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 at Hendrick Cadillac Cary 

While it’s important to understand if your liability insurance policy covers theft, it’s equally crucial to know which insurance policies offer full protection for your vehicle. The finance and insurance team at Hendrick Cadillac Cary is here to help you navigate your options and find the right coverage for your needs.

Contact us to learn more about how comprehensive insurance can protect your vehicle from theft and other damages. If you’re also looking for a new vehicle, browse our new vehicle inventory for cars with advanced security features. Our team is ready to assist you in making sure you’re fully covered and informed!