Question

If an insured's vehicle is vandalized and items stolen from the vehicle that are not permanently installed parts of the vehicle, what would be covered? What would not be covered?

Answer 1

Vehicle damage from vandalism is typically covered by the comprehensive coverage of an auto insurance policy, but personal items stolen from a vehicle are usually not. For the latter, homeowners or renters insurance with personal property coverage is required for potential compensation.

Step-by-step explanation:

If an insured's vehicle is vandalized and items stolen that are not a permanent part of the vehicle, typically, the automobile insurance policy will cover the damage to the vehicle itself under the comprehensive coverage part of the policy. However, personal belongings that are not permanently installed in the vehicle may not be covered by auto insurance. Instead, the insured would need to have a homeowners or renters insurance policy that includes personal property coverage to potentially receive compensation for the stolen items.

It's important for insurance policyholders to understand their coverage details. For example, comprehensive coverage usually protects against damage from vandalism, theft, or other non-collision incidents, but it does not extend to personal items inside the vehicle. To protect these items, a separate personal property coverage, like homeowners or renters insurance, is needed. Always review the insurance policy for specifics, as coverage can differ between providers and policy choices.