The basic insurance policy for your car does not usually cover the contents.  This means that if you leave expensive items in your car, such as a laptop or satellite navigation system, and someone steals them, they will not be covered.  However, some insurance companies offer contents insurance at an additional price.  This article offers more information regarding insuring the contents of your car.

When is Additional Cover Needed?

Most car insurance policies will enable you to make a claim if the stolen content was fitted by the manufacturer, for example audio equipment.  You must however have a policy which covers you against theft.  If you have added to the audio equipment, for example if you’ve added new speakers, then the insurer might cover part of the cost, up to a certain amount.  If you leave items in the car, unless you have additional cover, insurers won’t pay out.  Additionally, insurers will only pay out for content theft if your car was locked and someone actually broke into it.  If you accidently left it unlocked then the claim will not be met.

Free Additional Cover?

Sometimes it’s possible to get free contents insurance when you purchase your standard car insurance.  The trick is to shop around.  Many car insurance companies offer free contents insurance as a method of attracting new customers.  Additionally, you should check your house insurance policy, because sometimes it will cover for items that you have taken outside the house which have been stolen, for example a mobile phone or laptop computer.

Remember never to leave valuable items in your car thereby avoiding damage to the vehicle when a thief forces an entry.