Does vehicle insurance cover theft?

Key points: 

• Most policies cover you for vehicle theft and damage incurred during attempted theft

• Not all instances of theft are covered, such as when your engine is left running unattended

• If your vehicle is stolen you must report it to the police and your insurer immediately

• Making a claim for theft could increase the cost of your premium at renewal

• Follow our simple tips to minimise your chances of having a vehicle stolen

Is theft covered by car insurance? 

Whether or not your car is covered for theft depends on your policy. If you have a fully comprehensive policy, like those offered by John Lewis Money, then you’ll be covered for theft of your vehicle in most instances. A third-party fire and theft policy would also usually cover the theft of a vehicle, but basic third-party only insurance won’t. 

When is theft not covered? 

There are some instances where theft may not be covered. For example, you won’t be covered for theft of your vehicle if the doors are left unlocked or the engine is left running when the car is unattended. Also, if someone pretending to be a buyer drives your car with your permission and doesn’t return it, you won’t be covered. Remember to check your policy wording for more information.

What types of theft are covered? 

Most types of theft are covered by a John Lewis Money insurance policy, including attempted theft. This means that if a window is broken or locks are damaged while the thief is attempting to steal your car, we’ll cover the cost of repairing the damage. You’ll also be covered for up to £250 per incident for any personal belongings left in the car. However, if theft or attempted theft of your vehicle or contents occurs while someone else is using it without your permission, you won’t be covered unless they are prosecuted for doing so. 

What you need to do if your car is stolen 

If your car is stolen, you should immediately call the police on 101 to report it (or 999 if the theft is still happening). They’ll give you a crime reference number, which you’ll need in order to make a claim. Next, contact your insurance provider and give them the full details of what has happened. They’ll guide you through what happens next and what you’re entitled to claim for. 

If you receive a payment through your insurance for your stolen vehicle, you’ll need to inform the DVLA. You can read more about this and the steps involved on the gov.uk website.

What happens if my car is found? 

If your car is found after being stolen, what happens next depends entirely on where you are in the claims process. If the claim has already been settled, then your insurance provider will keep the vehicle. However, if your car is found relatively quickly and is still in good condition, it may be returned to you (after an inspection has been carried out). If the car is damaged, it will be assessed and then either repaired and returned to you or written off if deemed not economical to repair by the insurer.

Will my premium go up? 

Any claim you make for theft will have an impact on your premium, but you won’t know what this is until your renewal is due. 

Will I get a courtesy or replacement car? 

With both our Essentials and Premier cover, we’ll provide you with a courtesy car for the duration of repairs (subject to availability) when using the approved repairer network.

If you choose to add our Guaranteed Replacement Vehicle add-on, or have our Premier policy which includes this already, you’ll receive a replacement vehicle for up to 21 days if yours is stolen and not recovered or is deemed a total loss. 

In addition, if you have our Premier cover and your car is less than 12 months old and is written off or stolen and not recovered, we will replace it with a new one.

Tips to reduce the risk of car theft

It goes without saying that you should always lock your vehicle and keep your car keys safe, but what else could you be doing to reduce the risk of theft? 

• It’s always good to be mindful of where you park. Avoid dark and secluded areas and instead aim for somewhere a bit busier with good lighting, even if it means a longer walk to get to where you’re going. 

• Make sure you always drive with the doors locked and never leave the key in the ignition unattended, as you never know who might be looking to steal your car. 

• Extra security can help stop someone driving your car away, even if they get into it. Look into steering wheel locks, gear stick locks and pedal boxes.

• If your car has an engine management diagnostic port, consider fitting a lockable cover, as these can be used to start your vehicle.