Aftermarket Equipment Stolen From My Car
The situation: Someone broke into my car and took my dash cam and the roof box. Does my car insurance cover them?
Quick Answer
Often not under the auto policy. Most auto policies don't cover equipment that isn't permanently installed in the car, such as a portable GPS, a dash cam or a removable roof box. Those items may be covered as personal property under a homeowners or renters policy, less its deductible, while damage to the car itself is generally a comprehensive claim.
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What Happened
Omar parked overnight on the street. In the morning a window was broken, and his portable GPS, a dash cam clipped to the windshield and a roof cargo box were gone. His auto insurer handled the broken window under comprehensive, less his deductible, but explained that equipment not permanently installed wasn't covered by the auto policy. His renters policy covered the GPS, dash cam and roof box as personal property, less its deductible.
Likely Relevant Policies
- Auto Insurance
- Renters Insurance
- Homeowners Insurance
Potential Coverages
Comprehensive Coverage (auto) High likelihood
Damage to the car from a break-in, such as a broken window, is generally comprehensive.
Personal Property Coverage (home or renters) High likelihood
Portable equipment taken from the car is generally covered as personal property, subject to the deductible and limits.
Auto coverage for non-permanent equipment Low likelihood
Most auto policies exclude equipment not permanently installed.
Possible Exclusions
- Equipment not permanently installed is typically excluded from auto policies.
- Custom equipment that is permanently installed may need to be listed or endorsed to be covered at its full value.
Questions That Determine Coverage
- Was the equipment permanently installed or removable?
- Do you carry comprehensive on the auto policy?
- Do you have homeowners or renters insurance, and what's its deductible?
- Is the total worth more than each deductible?
Recommended Immediate Actions
- Report the theft to the police.
- Photograph the damage.
- List the stolen items with values and receipts.
- Report the window to your auto insurer and the items to your home or renters insurer.
Documents to Collect
- Police report
- Photos
- Receipts or order confirmations
- Window repair estimate
Common Claim Process
Two claims are common: the car's damage with the auto insurer under comprehensive, and the stolen equipment with the home or renters insurer under personal property. Each applies its own deductible.
Potential Outcomes
- Window paid under comprehensive, less the auto deductible.
- Removable equipment paid under personal property, less the home or renters deductible.
- If either loss is under its deductible, that claim pays nothing.
Risk Prevention Tips
- Take portable electronics with you.
- Ask your insurer how to cover permanently installed custom equipment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a factory-installed stereo covered?
Equipment permanently installed is generally treated as part of the car under physical damage coverage.
Is a dash cam covered by car insurance?
If it's removable, generally not by the auto policy; it may be covered as personal property.
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The factual claims on this page were checked against these sources. Rules and figures change, so check the source itself if you need to confirm the current version.
- tdi.texas.govAuto insurance guide · Texas Department of Insurance
Educational information, not advice: This scenario describes how a loss like this commonly goes, not how your claim will be decided. Coverage depends on your policy's wording, limits and deductibles, your state, and the facts. Confirm specifics with your insurer.