I went to grab dinner after a trail ride and left my $2,200 Onewheel GT in the trunk of my Subaru, covered by a blanket. When I came back, the back window was smashed and the trunk was empty. I called my auto insurer immediately, only to hear the adjuster say, “We’ll fix the window, but we don’t cover personal items inside the car.”
Key Takeaways
- Auto Insurance Myth: Auto policies cover the car. They never cover loose personal property (PEVs, laptops, golf clubs) stolen from the car.
- Homeowners “Off-Premises” Coverage: You have to file this claim against your Homeowners/Renters policy.
- The Double Deductible: You will likely pay two deductibles: one for the car window (
500)andonefortheboard(500)andonefortheboard(1,000 home deductible). - Proof of Forcible Entry: Some policies require visible marks of forced entry to cover theft from a vehicle. A smashed window counts; an unlocked door might not.
The “Why” (Care, Custody, and Control)
Insurers view a car as a high-risk storage locker.
“Personal Property coverage applies to property owned or used by an insured while it is anywhere in the world.”
However, the “Motor Vehicle Exclusion” in homeowners policies still applies. If your board is considered a “motor vehicle” by your home insurer, it is excluded even if stolen from a car.
The Investigation: The Trunk Test
I checked how different policies handle “theft from auto.”
1. GEICO (Auto)
- Result: Denial. They pay for the glass and the scratched bumper. They pay $0 for the board.
2. Lemonade (Renters)
- Result: Risk of Denial. They often classify e-boards as motor vehicles. If so, theft is excluded regardless of location.
3. Oyster (Specialty)
- Result: Covered. They specifically cover theft from a vehicle, provided there are signs of forced entry. You must send photos of the broken glass.
Comparison Table
| Policy | Covers Car Window? | Covers Stolen Board? | Deductible |
| Auto Insurance | Yes | No | $500 |
| Renters Insurance | No | Maybe (Check Exclusions) | $500 – $1,000 |
| Specialty PEV | No | Yes | $100 – $200 |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Don’t Leave It: The only 100% insurance is taking it with you.
- Lock It to the Car: If you must leave it, use a cable lock to secure the board to the “LATCH” system (child seat anchors) in the back seat. If they smash the window, they still can’t grab it easily.
- File Police Report for Both: Ensure the police report lists “Vehicle Damage” AND “Stolen Property” with the serial number. You need one report for two insurance claims.
FAQ
What if the car was unlocked?
Most specialty policies will deny the claim. They require “visible signs of forced entry.”
[IMAGE: Photo of a car trunk with shattered glass and a cut cable lock]