Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Theft?
Homeowners insurance policies cover most types of theft, whether it happens at your home or while you're away.
If someone steals something from you, your home insurance will usually help you replace the stolen items. Your policy will also help you pay for repairs to any property that thieves or burglars damage in the process.
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When does homeowners insurance cover theft?
Regular homeowners insurance policies will cover your things if they are stolen inside or outside your home or from your car.
Your home insurance covers the theft of items from your home. It also covers theft that happens away from your home, like when you're on vacation or at work.
If burglars break into your home and steal your TV or your jewelry, your home insurance policy will help pay for replacements. If someone pickpockets you on vacation, your home insurance policy should pay for your losses.
Actual cash value vs. replacement cost value coverage
The amount you'll get for your stolen or damaged items depends on the type of coverage you have.
The two most common types of home insurance policies are actual cash value (ACV) policies and replacement cost value (RCV or just replacement cost) policies.
Actual cash value policies give you the current market value of your stolen or damaged property. This means if you paid $1,000 for a TV five years ago and the same TV is only worth $400 now, you'll get $400 if you file a claim. You'll have to spend the $600 to buy a new replacement yourself.
Replacement cost value policies give you the money you need to replace your stolen or damaged item with a new model. This coverage means you'll get the full replacement cost from your insurance company even if your stolen item has lost value over time.
Who's covered under your home insurance theft policy?
Your home insurance theft coverage protects anyone you list on the policy. This includes:
- Your spouse
- Your children
- Your roommates
- Anyone else you identify
If their belongings get stolen or damaged in a break-in, your insurance policy will help cover the damage.
Your home insurance policy should also cover your children away at school. If their belongings get stolen on campus, your home insurance policy should help pay for a replacement. Remember, each policy is specific to you, so talk to your insurance agent for more details.
Does homeowners insurance cover break-ins?
Your home insurance policy should cover damage and losses from break-ins on your property. If something is stolen, you'll be covered under your policy's theft protection coverage.
If the thief damages your home during the break-in, your home insurance policy should help pay for repairs and replacement items. It's not uncommon for break-ins to lead to:
- Kicked-in doors
- Broken locks and deadbolts
- Broken windows and window panes
- Scratched flooring
- Damaged electrical components and wiring
If you notice any damage from a break-in, take pictures and contact your insurance company to file a claim.
What types of theft doesn't your homeowners policy cover?
Some of the types of theft that home insurance may not cover include theft by a tenant or a member of your household, and theft from a vacant home.
- Theft from a vacant home: If your home has been vacant for some time, your insurance company may not cover theft. Check with your agent to see how long you can leave your home unoccupied and still be covered.
- Theft by a member of the household: If someone who lives in the house steals an item, your home insurance won't cover the cost of replacement.
- Theft by a tenant: If you rent out your home or a portion of your home and a tenant steals an item or damages your property, your home insurance won't cover the cost of replacement. If you have landlord insurance with a tenant theft add-on , talk with your agent. That policy may cover the theft, especially if it was accidental, or any damage tied to the theft.
- Theft from negligence: Insurance companies expect you to take reasonable precautions to prevent theft, like locking your doors and windows or bringing valuable items indoors. If someone steals an item that you didn't keep in a safe place, or if they enter your home because you left the door or windows unlocked, your policy might not cover the damage.
- Items stolen a long time ago: Insurance companies expect you to report damage and stolen items soon after the theft happens. If you wait too long, your insurance company might not cover the damage.
Each policy is different, so be sure to talk to your insurance agent to learn about your policy's details.
Homeowners insurance and stolen cash and jewelry
A homeowners policy can reimburse you for stolen jewelry or cash, but usually only up to a certain limit. For cash, that limit is usually around $200. For jewelry, the limit depends on your policy.
If your lost or stolen jewelry or cash is worth more than your policy's limits, you usually won't get the money you need to fully replace them.
How to make sure you have enough coverage
Consider creating a home inventory to see how much coverage you need. Walk through your home and write down the items you're most worried about replacing. Add up the value of those items and make sure your insurance policy's limits are high enough to replace them. If you think you need more insurance, your agent can add it to your policy for a higher rate.
Homeowners insurance doesn't cover car theft
Although your home insurance covers items stolen from your car, it won't cover your car if it's stolen from your home. Instead, you'll need to file a claim with your car insurance company.
Remember, the theft of your car is only covered if you have comprehensive insurance.
Homeowners insurance discounts for protecting your house
Making your home harder to break into can save you money by helping you get certain homeowners insurance discounts. Many home insurance companies give discounts of 2% to 15% off the cost of annual rates when you burglar-proof your home.
- Adding smart home technology: Installing smart home technology like doorbell cameras, electronic locks and window sensors will help you save on your insurance.
- Using a security system: Installing a monitored security system could help you save on your rates.
- Upgrading locks and doors: You may get a discount by upgrading your locks to higher-quality deadbolts or by installing reinforced doors.
Installing new systems could cost you upfront, but you'll make your home safer and less likely to be broken into in the first place. This could save you money on replacing items and making repairs in the long run and may help lower your insurance rates each year. Talk to your insurance agent to see if there are any anti-theft measures you can take to earn discounts on your coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Should I file an insurance claim for theft?
It depends on the value of the item that was stolen. When you file a claim, you'll have to pay a deductible to your insurance company. If that deductible is higher than the value of the stolen item, you may be better off replacing what was stolen on your own.
Will filing a claim for theft make my rates go up?
Your insurance company may raise your rates if you file a claim for theft. If the stolen items are small and their replacement cost is less than your deductible, you may be better off not filing a claim. But if the thief did a lot of damage to your home or stole valuable items, filing a claim could be best, even if it makes your rates go up.
What insurance company has the best coverage?
The best home insurance company for you depends on your needs, your location and other similar factors. The easiest way to find coverage that will work for you is to get quotes from several companies and choose the one that offers the best coverage at the best price. Top home insurance companies like State Farm, Nationwide, Allstate and Erie Insurance all offer good coverage.
Does my home insurance cover theft from my garage?
Most home insurance policies will cover you if something is stolen from your garage, a storage shed or other outbuilding. Contact your agent for more information about your policy and what it covers.
How can I protect myself and my home from theft?
Install high-quality deadbolt locks on all exterior doors to make it harder for thieves to break in. Keep doors and windows locked when you're not at home to protect it and your belongings. You may also want to install a security system and doorbell cameras to monitor activity when you're away.
Sarah Jones
Writer
Sarah Jones is a Staff Writer focused on helping readers understand complex insurance topics. She joined Value Penguin in 2025 after working for over a decade in marketing, where she specialized in writing for financial services firms, law firms and real estate companies. She's written for leading mortgage lenders, online banks, virtual payment services and insurance companies.
When she isn't writing, she enjoys hiking the mountains of northern New Mexico with her dog and her family and trying every local coffee shop she can find.
How insurance helped Sarah
Sarah became passionate about car insurance after a particularly big sneeze caused her to back her car into a stone wall. In her defense, the wall came out of nowhere.
Expertise
- Car insurance
- Home insurance
- Renters insurance
Education
- BA, English Language and Literature, Smith College
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