What does a personal theft policy cover?

Asked by: Caterina Walter Sr.  |  Last update: August 17, 2025
Score: 4.4/5 (74 votes)

Personal property coverage — also known as contents coverage on a home policy — helps cover the cost of your personal items if they are destroyed, damaged, or stolen due to a covered loss or peril. Personal property includes things like furniture, clothing, electronics, and kitchenware.

What is covered under theft insurance?

When is theft covered? If someone breaks into your home, your homeowners policy typically covers your stolen items as well as any damage the thief caused. One cool feature in home insurance is that most policies even cover these losses when they occur away from your home.

What is not covered in an identity theft policy?

Identity theft insurance cannot protect you from becoming a victim of identity theft and does not cover direct monetary losses incurred as result of identity theft.

How much does insurance pay for stolen items?

Personal property coverage will pay for the repair or replacement of the stolen item, up to the limit of your policy, minus your deductible. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible and your laptop is worth $2,000, you would receive a check for $1,000 from your insurer.

Will a theft claim raise my home insurance?

Theft claims often result in a claim surcharge and raise your rates. Doesn't matter the circumstances of the theft. This is pretty much standard operating procedure in the insurance world.

Does home insurance cover theft of personal items

28 related questions found

Does insurance go up after a theft claim?

Other Claims: Theft or Damage

If you have coverage for theft or damage, then there's a good chance your premiums will increase after a claim.

What part of homeowners insurance covers theft?

Personal property coverage helps pay to replace or repair your belongings if they are stolen or damaged by a covered loss (including theft). If an intruder steals items from your home, personal property coverage may help pay to replace them.

How do insurance companies value stolen items?

After you report this claim to the insurance company, the insurance company will ask you when you bought each piece of property and approximately how much it would cost to replace it today. They will then pay you a “depreciated” value for each piece of property.

Does insurance cover cash stolen from home?

Many standard policies set your personal property coverage limit at 50% of your dwelling coverage, which protects the structure of your home. However, certain items, such as jewelry or cash, will have lower sub-limits. A sub-limit is a limit within a limit.

Is it worth claiming for TV on home insurance?

But if there's not much difference between the TV's value and the policy excess, you might be better off covering the cost of repairs or a replacement yourself. Remember that claiming on your insurance is likely to push up your premiums. So weigh up whether it's worth it before you start the claims process.

What falls under identity theft?

Identity theft happens when someone takes your name and personal information (like your social security number) and uses it without your permission to do things like open new accounts, use your existing accounts, or obtain medical services.

What is not considered to be theft?

Burglary of a motor vehicle and robbery of a person are generally not classified as theft, as they involve additional elements beyond simply taking someone else's property.

Which of the following is typically not covered by identity theft insurance?

What does identity theft insurance not cover? It's important to note that these insurance policies typically don't cover stolen money or direct financial losses from fraudulent purchases and other unauthorized use of credit accounts. They typically reimburse you only for the costs of the reporting and recovery process.

Does car insurance cover theft of personal items?

Theresa Simes is a Farmers Insurance® agent in Fountain Valley, California. She explains how insurance works in cases of theft from a vehicle. A: It might seem reasonable that your auto policy covers theft from your vehicle — but it's actually your home insurance that would cover the loss.

What is full theft cover?

This optional cover called full-theft, is available to certain qualified clients on payment of additional premium. Unlike the standard Theft cover, this extension would cover theft even if there are no signs of breaking in or out pane or tile to claim for theft if you have this extension.

How much will insurance pay for a stolen car?

Car Theft Insurance: When Am I Entitled to Coverage? Downey drivers whose cars are stolen in Califonia will have car theft insurance if they have comprehensive coverage. That should cover you up to the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your vehicle. If your car is damaged due to a break-in, you'll also be covered.

How to prove theft to insurance?

How to Prove Theft to Insurance?
  1. Gather Physical Evidence. ...
  2. File a Police Report. ...
  3. Document the Proof of Ownership. ...
  4. Collect Witness Statements. ...
  5. Provide Proof of Forced Entry. ...
  6. Obtain Surveillance Footage. ...
  7. Compile Financial and Document Evidence. ...
  8. Cooperate with the Insurance Company.

Is it illegal to keep home insurance claim money?

You may be able to keep excess money as long as you're not violating your provider's rules or committing insurance fraud. You can also put the money towards other areas of repairing your home.

Will homeowners insurance cover a stolen purse?

Homeowners insurance does cover theft when it occurs outside the home. So if your purse or wallet is stolen while you're at a restaurant, you would be covered. However, it's worth noting that there are some limitations for stolen items outside the home.

How does theft insurance work?

Stolen vehicles are protected by comprehensive coverage

If someone steals your vehicle and it's not recovered, your insurer will cut you a check for your car's current value if you have comprehensive coverage. This may be true even if the car was stolen with the keys in it.

Do you get money back for stolen items?

Whether you think your neighbor stole your parcel or someone else, you can frequently get a refund or a replacement from the sender or delivery company.

What is the formula for cash value?

Actual cash value is equal to the replacement cost minus any depreciation (ACV = replacement cost – depreciation).

How do I know if my insurance covers theft?

Comprehensive coverage will usually cover theft, as well as repair costs from break-in damages. Liability insurance likely won't cover theft, as it usually protects against bodily injury and property damage resulting from an accident.

Is theft covered under a dwelling policy?

Theft coverage is not automatically included in dwelling policies; however, coverage may be added with a broad theft coverage endorsement or a limited coverage endorsement. This theft coverage endorsement is available for dwellings that are not owner-occupied.

Which of the following are not covered by homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance typically doesn't cover damage from floods, earthquakes, landslides, sinkholes, wear and tear, animals or insects, or water backing up from sewers, drains, septic tanks and sump pumps.