TL;DR - Our version of "I'm not reading all that, *SparkNotes pls."
- Car insurance ≠ suitcase insurance: Your car insurance generally covers the vehicle, not the valuables inside it. So, if your laptop or handbag gets stolen from your car, you might be out of luck unless you have portable possessions cover.
- Add-ons are your friend: To protect your personal items, consider adding portable possessions cover to your policy. This ensures that your belongings are covered, whether they’re stolen from your car or lost while you’re out and about.
- Check your coverage limits: Not all portable possessions cover is created equal. Make sure you know the limits and exclusions of your policy to avoid any nasty surprises.
- Prevention is better than cure: While insurance is great, avoiding theft in the first place is even better. Lock up, hide valuables, and be aware of your surroundings to keep your belongings safe.Understanding your car insurance policy is key—don’t assume your belongings are covered unless you’ve specifically added them to your policy!
Gone are the days when motor vehicles were simply seen as a means of getting you from point A to point B.
Nowadays, they’re that and more.
A good car can be considered a house on wheels, a home away from home, if you will.
And as your other home, necessities like laptops, bags, important documents and other gadgets become a semi-permanent fixture in your car, kept close by for convenience.
But what happens when these possessions are damaged or stolen from your car?
Will your car insurance cover the cost?
Well, that depends on the policy you have.
Standard Car Insurance Policies in South Africa
The three most common types of car insurance in South Africa are Third-party liability, Third-party Fire and Theft and Comprehensive Coverage.
Third-party liability: Provides basic coverage against the costs of injury or damage caused by you to a third party or their property. It, unfortunately, doesn’t protect you if your car is damaged or stolen.
Third-party Fire and Theft: Much like the former, with a few more bells and whistles, it also covers replacement and repairs if your car is stolen or damaged by fire. But again, this policy doesn’t extend coverage to you if your vehicle is damaged.
Comprehensive Coverage: This policy generally covers loss resulting from theft, hijacking, and collision-related accidents, as well as fire, explosion and natural disasters.
Comprehensive insurance also includes third-party liability, so you and a third party will be protected.
Most comprehensive car insurance typically has an option for the protection of possessions. But this is not standard for Third-party liability and Third-party Fire and Theft policies.
The Type of Possessions Covered and the Limits On Each
Standard car insurance policies typically don’t cover personal belongings stored inside a car.
However, some insurance providers offer optional personal property coverage, commonly known as contents coverage, as an extension of your car insurance policy.
Portable possessions, such as clothing and other items worn or carried and personal equipment that a person participating in sport would typically wear or use, are covered.
So, anything from smartphones and smartwatches, laptops and tablets to accessories like jewellery, sunglasses, handbags and wallets are included.
Any item stored inside the car is covered as long as it’s specified in the policy. Added accessories must instead be insured under the general and specified items policy section.
Should any possession go missing from your vehicle, and that item isn’t insured under your car insurance policy or specified items insurance, this is grounds for a refusal.
A stolen item will not be covered if no signs of forced entry exist. The absence of forced entry suggests that the car was not kept secure by locking the doors or closing the windows correctly.
Policies vary, but there are insurance providers that exclude items like cash, credit or debit cards.
Also, if your car is used for business purposes and contains samples or tools at the time of the loss, these items might not be covered.
Determining If Your Possessions Are Covered Under Your Car Insurance
To determine if your possessions are covered under your current car insurance policy, it’s best to review the policy documents or speak to your insurance provider directly.
Most insurance companies will not cover damages caused by general wear and tear, as this is a normal deterioration process.
Other exclusions are the cost of reproducing sounds, data and images lost from tapes, records, films, magnetic media or any other electronic media.
Also, belongings primarily used for business purposes, like a work laptop, will not be covered under your possessions.
The exact coverage and limits will vary depending on the policy you choose, so it's essential to understand the details and ensure you have the coverage you need.
Look for information on personal property policies to provide a more accurate breakdown of coverage for items in your vehicle.
The research should clear any questions surrounding what happens in case of theft of your items from your car.
Tips for Getting Additional Coverage for Personal Possessions Inside The Car
Who knew that something as specific as losing items from your car would even be a thing? That’s the thing about insurance; it is ever-evolving to suit your particular needs better.
So, without further ado, here are some tips for getting additional coverage for your possessions inside your car:
- Research: Contact your insurance provider and ask if they offer content coverage, or specified items, as an add-on to your car insurance policy.
- Review: Check your policy document to see if it covers items inside your car and, if so, what the limits are.
- Compare quotes: Get quotes from multiple insurance providers to compare the coverage and cost of personal effects coverage.
- Consider the value: Decide how much coverage you need based on the value of your possessions.
- Read the fine print: Make sure you understand the exclusions and limitations of the coverage and what situations are not covered.
Considering these factors allows you to choose the right coverage to protect the possessions inside of your car.
How to Protect Your Possessions, Including Security Tips and Best Practices
Theft and break-ins happen daily in South Africa, so protecting your possessions has never been more crucial.
Here are some tips and best practices to keep your belongings safe:
- Lock your car doors: Lock your car’s doors when you leave it, even if you're quickly popping into a store for a few minutes. Doing this is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent theft.
- Keep valuables out of sight: Valuable items like smartphones, wallets, and purses shouldn’t be kept in plain sight. Instead, store them in the boot or glove compartment. If you have to leave something in the car, cover it with a blanket or jacket.
- Park in a secure area: When possible, always park in well-lit, busy areas with high visibility. This helps deter potential thieves from targeting your vehicle.
- Use an alarm or anti-theft device: Install an alarm or anti-theft device in your car; these help alert you if someone tries to break into your vehicle.
- Don't leave the engine running: Don't leave your car running and unattended; this is an invitation for theft.
- Keep records: Keep the receipts of your possessions' make, model, and serial numbers on the off chance they’re ever stolen. Keeping a record of your purchases helps your case when making a claim.
Additionally, you can consider purchasing specified items coverage as an add-on to your car insurance policy to provide additional protection.
With a little effort and planning, you can keep your belongings safe while they are in your car.
Following these tips can help protect your possessions in your car.
How to claim for possessions stolen or damaged from inside your car
Claiming stolen or damaged possessions can be a trying process, but there are steps you can take to make the process smoother.
- Report the theft or damage to the police: This is the first step you should take after discovering the loss. The police report will prove the theft or damage and can help with your insurance claim.
- Take photos of the damaged or stolen items: Document the damage or loss by taking pictures of the inside of your car and any stolen or damaged items.
- Contact your insurance company: Notify your insurance provider as soon as possible via the mobile or web application, no later than 30 days after the event.
If you have comprehensive coverage, it may cover stolen or damaged items. Be prepared to provide details about the loss and the police report number.
- Keep receipts and other documentation: Keeping receipts and other documentation for any stolen or damaged items is vital. This will help determine the value of the stolen items for the insurance claim.
- Make a list of the stolen or damaged items: Create a detailed list of all the things that were stolen or damaged, including specifics like the make, model, serial number, and value of each item. Doing this allows you to recover the item itself or its value.
- Provide evidence: Provide your insurance provider with any evidence you have, such as photos, police reports, and receipts relating to the stolen or damaged items.
- Have patience: The process of making an insurance claim can be a time-consuming one, so remember to be patient. Your insurance company will need to investigate the claim and assess the value of the stolen or damaged items, which takes some time.
Following these steps will make for a successful claim process.
As long as you do your part in keeping detailed records, have patience, and be proactive in working with your insurance company to resolve the claim, it should run smoothly.
If you’re still in need of more information, head over to our website at https://www.pineapple.co.za/car. Or, if you're already set on getting a car insurance quote, click here!
Pineapple (FSP 48650) is underwritten by Old Mutual Alternative Risk Transfer Insure Limited, a licensed Non-Life Insurer and authorised FSP. T&Cs apply. Premium is risk profile dependent.
Please Note: The information provided above is for informational purposes only; you should not construe any such information as legal or financial advice.
Team Pineapple
Team Pineapple comprises our company’s top talents, who are dedicated to creating clear, high-quality content on essential vehicle insurance topics. This diverse group, including actuaries, accountants, data scientists, and insurance professionals across South Africa, collaborates to produce enlightening and empowering articles.
Each piece is thoroughly researched, factually accurate, and rigorously reviewed to ensure quality.
*We say they’re the finest because we want them to keep writing for us!
