Car broken into

[BarbaraAlys]

While I was riding yesterday someone broke into my car, smashed the side window. I have a car alarm, and it most likely went off, however the car was in a park at the start of a bike trail so there are often many cars but no people. Annoying.

But, what I wanted to bring up was what my insurance company said. My policy does not cover theft of the contents of the vehicle unless they are 'hard attached' to the car. That mean car stereo, covered, cell phone, not covered. It also means that if my bike had been stolen off the rack on my car it would not be covered by my car insurance.

I wanted to mention this to all of you so you will think about where you are covered and where you are not. Home owners insurance will cover things not on your property, but only if you have purchased a rider to do so. We put a lot of money into our bikes, so I wanted to get everyone thinking about it.

Barbara

[sgtiger]

Thanks, I hadn't thought of that. I'll have to call my insurance company to find out if they cover that and under which policy. We get our auto and renters from the same company. I did find out last week, though, that they will cover the cost to replace our bikes with what it would cost new as opposed to the depreciated value. I really appreciate knowing that should anything happen to them(knock on wood) that we would be able to replace them with little out-of-pocket.

[Tri Girl]

Yikes! I'm sorry your car got broken in to. What a crappy thing to do.
Good to know about the insurance. Makes me cranky how insurance has so many loopholes to not cover you if something's gone. I say, if I pay you the high rate you charge me- then if something is stolen you cover it. Bah on insurance companies- and theives.

[mimitabby]

we had a bike stolen off our car about 10 years ago. Our home owner's insurance bought us a new bike.

[Kalidurga]

It's definitely worth getting that rider on your homeowners or renters insurance. When my car was broken into several years ago, my stolen cds would have been covered by that policy, if the value of them hadn't been way below my deductible. But it's good to know that if I ever have more valuable items in the car (like my bike), they're covered.

[Irulan]

I wanted to mention this to all of you so you will think about where you are covered and where you are not. Home owners insurance will cover things not on your property, but only if you have purchased a rider to do so. We put a lot of money into our bikes, so I wanted to get everyone thinking about it.

Barbara

What you really need to do is check your particular policy. I have a statement from our agent ( written) that we do not need a rider for the value of our bicycles.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Our bikes are covered, but we have a $2000 deductible, so we'd have to cough up that amount first and the insurance will pay the value beyond that.

[KerryCrow]

This has nothing to do with your insurance issue, but I wanted to add that breaking into cars at the parking lot of the trail-head has become common here in Charlotte. I know they are patrolling the lots more now, but it got out of hand this past winter.

I guess the trail head is great because people tend to leave their wallet and other valuable in their car, rather than take them with them. Plus it can be assumed by the thief that the person is going to be gone a long time on the trail running or biking.

In addition, some cars that have been broken into have had their garage door opener taken. This has then allowed the thieves to rob the house as well by getting the address off the car registration in the glove box.

They caught some of the guys that were doing it but I don't like to park at the trail head anymore. I either park at a grocery store nearby or ride my bike from home...my friends do the same, or take both their wallets and garage door openers with them on their rides or walks.

[ilima]

But, what I wanted to bring up was what my insurance company said. My policy does not cover theft of the contents of the vehicle unless they are 'hard attached' to the car. That mean car stereo, covered, cell phone, not covered. It also means that if my bike had been stolen off the rack on my car it would not be covered by my car insurance.
Barbara

Since when is a radio not 'hard attached'? As others have mentioned homeowners or renters insurance would cover the loss of your belongings.

I'm sorry this happened and hope they didn't get much of value.

[Tuckervill]

My husband's truck was broken into in Detroit and our auto insurance covered everything stolen, which included all their clothes, cycling apparel, and electronics. The bikes were in the covered bed of the truck, and I guess they didn't bother to look in there. The thieves probably thought that since all the luggage was in the front it was there because the back wasn't as secure?

Karen