Auto insurance or home insurance: who covers the theft of items from your car?

By: Rebecca Lee on February 28, 2025

This article has been updated from a previous version.

A few years ago, two people broke into my boyfriend’s car and stole everything inside.

The theft happened right in the driveway of my suburban home, even though we had security cameras. But having video footage and all the information in the world doesn’t guarantee that stolen items will be recovered.

Unfortunately, theft is a common occurrence, often tied to opportunity and negligence. While exact figures on these specific incidents aren’t widely tracked, they often correlate with broader vehicle theft trends.

For instance, according to Équité Association, in 2024, there were 57,359 reported car thefts, down from 70,475 in 2023. This 18.6% decrease is a positive sign, but theft from vehicles continues to be a significant issue, especially with organized crime networks targeting high-value cars for export or re-VINing.

Authorities have emphasized preventive measures like locking vehicles, keeping valuables out of sight, and using anti-theft devices. With roughly 40% of stolen vehicles never recovered nationally, taking steps to protect your property is crucial to reducing the risk.

If you ever fall victim to a crime where your personal property is stolen from your car, here’s what you need to know and what you need to do.

Keep calm and call the police

Even if no one was hurt and your car was left intact, the theft of items from your car is still a crime and should be reported. If you plan to make an insurance claim, the incident needs to be on record.

So, the first step after discovering a theft from your car is to call the police immediately. If it's safe, do so from the scene of the crime.

A spokesperson and communications supervisor for Honda Canada Inc, John Bordignon, says time is of the essence when it comes to property theft.

“Call the police and report [the theft] as soon as possible,” Bordignon advises. “And then let your insurance company know about the situation and your loss of property. You can then begin the claims process immediately, if you choose to.”

What to expect when you contact the police

Once you report the theft, you’ll likely be asked for the following:

Reason for your call: Provide basic information such as where the theft occurred and where your car was parked.
In-person statement: A police officer may come to collect a detailed statement. Expect to be asked the following:
- When did the theft occur?
- What was stolen?
- What is the approximate value of the stolen items?
- Can any of the stolen items be tracked (e.g., your iPhone via the Find iPhone app)?
- Was there damage to the car, and was the car locked?
- Do you have footage of the theft, and can this footage be viewed by the police?

A detective may contact you to follow up. For example, in my boyfriend’s case, a detective followed up a week later to get a copy of the camera footage.

It takes a home insurance policy to protect your property

Did you know that stolen items from your car are covered by your home insurance—not your car insurance? Once you’ve contacted the police, your next step is to reach out to your insurance provider for guidance.

As Bordignon explains, only the items “essential to the operation of the vehicle or physically attached to it, like the wheels, a bicycle rack, or stereo” are protected by your car insurance.

Everything else — like your gym bag, laptop, headphones, and whatever else you normally throw in the backseat or trunk of your car — brings your potential claim to home insurance territory.

“Most personal property items stolen from your car would fall under a normal home insurance claim,” says Bordignon. “But [you] may be subject to monetary limits, a deductible, and other conditions as outlined in your policy.”

Is filing a claim the right move?

When personal items are stolen, it’s not always financially wise to submit a claim. If the value of the stolen belongings is less than your deductible or only slightly above it, you may not see much—if any—benefit in reimbursement. Plus, filing a claim could lead to an increase in your annual home insurance premiums.

That’s why Bordignon urges Canadians to do their research when they buy home insurance.

“It’s a good idea to read your policy and ask your insurance provider questions about your coverage, deductible, and limits,” he says.

What to know before filing your insurance claim

If you decide to submit a claim to your insurance provider, you’ll need to be organized and confident in your claim. Here’s what you need to keep in mind:

Bundling policies: It’s going to be a lot easier to claim for your stolen property if your home and auto policy are already with the same provider. If they’re not, bundling is something you should think about for the future. (Sidenote: bundling also nets you an insurance discount.)
Claim approval: It’s not guaranteed that your insurance provider will pay out your claim. As Bordignon cautions, “each situation is unique and looked upon under its own merits, but generally speaking, if your property is stolen from your car that is obviously a crime.”
Documentation: Your insurance provider will ask for receipts and photos of everything you lost to back up your claim. If you don’t already have an up-to-date inventory of basically everything you own, it’s time to get very, very organized.

Whether you ultimately decide to file a claim for your stolen property or not, it’s important to know what you’re in for if property theft strikes.

In the meantime, there are easy measures you can take to prevent theft of property and auto theft: Never leave valuable items in your car unattended, always keep your doors and windows closed and locked whenever you’re not in your car, and keep your keys in a signal-blocking box when you’re at home.

Learn more: What to do after a collision, and how to file an insurance claim