Last Updated on December 27, 2025

If your car gets stolen (or someone breaks into it), the big question is whether your auto insurance will pay. In most cases, theft is only covered if you carry comprehensive coverage—sometimes called “other than collision” coverage.

Below is how theft coverage works, what a theft claim typically pays, and what to do step-by-step to get your claim moving fast.

Key Takeaways

• Auto insurance typically covers theft only if you carry comprehensive (other-than-collision) coverage.
• If your car is stolen and not recovered, insurers usually pay the vehicle’s actual cash value (ACV) minus your comprehensive deductible.
• Break-ins and stolen parts (like catalytic converters) are often covered under comprehensive, but your deductible may outweigh smaller repairs.
• Personal items inside your car usually aren’t covered by auto insurance—homeowners or renters insurance may apply instead.

Does Car Insurance Cover Theft?

Yes—if you have comprehensive coverage. If you only have liability coverage (or liability + collision), your policy usually won’t pay to replace your stolen vehicle.

Here’s how the major coverage types line up:

• Liability insurance: Pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others. Does not cover theft of your car.
• Collision insurance: Helps repair/replace your car after a crash (with another vehicle or object). Does not cover theft.
• Comprehensive coverage: Helps pay for damage to your car from non-collision events—like theft, vandalism, hail, fire, flooding, falling objects, and animal damage. This is the coverage that applies to theft.

If you’re not sure what you have, check your declarations page (often called your “dec page”) or call your insurer/agent. Comprehensive coverage is optional in most states, but it’s commonly required by lenders if you have a loan or lease.

What Theft Claims Typically Pay For

Comprehensive coverage generally applies to three theft-related scenarios:

1) Your Car Is Stolen and Not Recovered

If your car isn’t recovered, insurers usually treat it like a total loss after a short investigation/waiting period. Your payout is typically your car’s actual cash value (ACV) at the time of the theft, minus your comprehensive deductible.

ACV is basically what your car was worth right before it was stolen—not what you originally paid, and not necessarily what it would cost to buy a newer replacement today.

2) Your Car Is Recovered but Damaged

Recovered vehicles often have damage (broken windows/locks, steering column damage, missing parts, body damage, or interior damage). Comprehensive coverage typically pays to repair theft-related damage, minus your deductible. If the repair cost is too high for the car’s value, the insurer may declare it a total loss instead.

3) Parts or Equipment Are Stolen

Theft of parts attached to the vehicle (like wheels, factory stereo, or permanently installed equipment) is usually handled under comprehensive coverage. A common example is catalytic converter theft. You’ll still pay your comprehensive deductible, so smaller thefts may not be worth claiming if the repair cost is close to (or below) your deductible.

Aftermarket upgrades may have limits. If you’ve added expensive custom wheels, audio equipment, or other modifications, ask your insurer if you need a custom parts/equipment endorsement so you’re not underinsured.

What Theft-Related Costs Might Not Be Covered

Theft claims can come with surprises. These are some common gaps:

• Personal belongings inside the car: Auto insurance usually doesn’t cover items like laptops, phones, wallets, or luggage. Those are often covered (with limits and a separate deductible) by homeowners or renters insurance. See: items stolen from inside a car.
• Rental car costs: You generally only get help paying for a rental if you added rental reimbursement coverage (sometimes called transportation expense coverage).
• The “gap” on a loan or lease: If you owe more than your car’s ACV, comprehensive may not cover the full remaining balance. Gap insurance can help cover the difference when a stolen vehicle is totaled.

How to File an Insurance Claim for a Stolen Car or Break-In

If your vehicle is stolen or you discover a break-in, act quickly. The sooner you file a police report and start your claim, the easier it is to document what happened.

Step 1: Contact the Police and File a Report

Call the police right away. Your insurer will almost always need a report number to process a theft claim. (In many cases, they will check police reports as part of the claim investigation.)

Be ready to provide:

• Your VIN and license plate number (a VIN is your vehicle’s unique identifier—here’s a quick explainer from CARFAX: Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs)).
• Year, make, model, and color.
• Where the theft/break-in occurred, plus an estimated date/time window.
• Any distinguishing features (stickers, dents, damage, unique wheels, etc.).

Step 2: Start Your Claim With Your Insurance Company

Next, call your insurer and start a claim. If you’ve never done this before, you can review the proper way to file an insurance claim—most of the same best practices apply to theft claims.

Expect the insurer to ask for details like:

• A copy of the police report (or report number)
• Where the keys were and who had access to them
• Whether the car was locked and where it was parked
• Finance/lease information (if applicable)
• A list of stolen factory/attached equipment (and receipts/photos for upgrades, if you have them)

Step 3: Document Everything and Track Deadlines

Take photos (broken glass, damaged locks, missing parts), save tow/repair/rental receipts, and write down names/dates every time you speak with police or your insurer. If your car is missing, ask your insurer what their timeline is for handling a theft total loss and what they need from you next.

One useful context point: the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported 850,708 vehicles stolen in 2024 (down from 1,020,729 in 2023). Theft is common, so insurers have established processes—your job is to provide clean documentation quickly.

What Happens If Your Stolen Car Is Recovered?

If your car is recovered before the claim is settled, your insurer will typically inspect it and estimate theft-related repairs. With comprehensive coverage, repairs are generally covered minus your deductible.

If the vehicle is recovered after a total-loss payout, the insurer may take ownership (because they paid you for the loss). Some companies may allow you to keep the recovered vehicle if you return part (or all) of the settlement, but rules vary by insurer and state.

How to Reduce the Risk of Vehicle Theft

• Lock your doors and close windows (even in “quick stop” situations).
• Don’t leave keys/fobs in or near the car (signal-boosting theft is real in some areas).
• Park in well-lit areas and consider a steering wheel lock.
• Use a tracker (OEM apps or a third-party device) so you can provide location info quickly.
• Don’t leave valuables in plain view—break-ins are often crimes of opportunity.

FAQs on Car Insurance and Theft

Final Word

Car insurance covers theft when you have comprehensive coverage. If your vehicle is stolen, file a police report immediately, start your claim, and document everything. Your payout is usually based on ACV minus your deductible, and add-ons like rental reimbursement or gap insurance can make a big difference in how financially “whole” you end up after a theft.