What to Do When Someone Steals Your Car Battery

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2019

Will Insurance Cover Stolen Batteries from Business Cars?

You rely on your commercial vehicle to take you places on important work. One of the most essential parts of that vehicle is its battery. It helps start and run the car, after all. Yet, the battery is also one of the most-targeted items by thieves. You might encounter situations where someone leaves the car but opens the hood and steals the battery. It is possible, and it can happen. Can you expect your car insurance to cover you in these instances?

Battery Theft: How it Happens

Batteries are the components that trigger the energy to start a car's engine and keep it running. So, thieves might want to steal only a battery to make their own car run or to sell. It is dishonest and criminal, but it happens a lot more than you might think.

Some thieves have devised genius ways to trip a car's hood, steal the battery and barely leave a mark on the car. Others are more brazen. They might pry open the hood. They might pry open doors or break window glass to get to the car's hood release. They can then pull out the battery and disappear. Regardless of how they got in, thieves could leave you with a missing battery and costly damage.

Will Insurance Help You

Car insurance can help you replace a stolen car battery. However, your policy will likely have certain limitations. Thus, all batteries will not have coverage in all situations.

• Comprehensive car insurance will provide coverage for non-accident hazards. Theft, and theft of vehicle components, usually falls among covered items. However, comprehensive coverage is not a mandatory coverage element in most states. You will need to ask your agent to include the coverage on your policy, with appropriate limits.
• Most comprehensive policies will include deductibles. You must pay the cost of your deductible before your policy pays for the remaining damage. So, if the cost of the battery (and resulting damage) falls below the deductible cost, your policy will not pay. Only in limited cases will insurance companies not require deductibles.
• To receive towing or labor coverage, you might need specific roadside assistance coverage. Most policies cover this differently from comprehensive insurance.
• Your insurance will not pay for dead batteries or simple battery maintenance. Normal wear and tear on your battery is common. You will need to replace it every few years as part of your regular car care routine.

So, if someone steals your battery, call the police and have an accident report taken. Also call your insurer to start a claim. They will tell you what evidence you need to gather to file a successful claim.

Also Read:Does Commercial Auto Insurance Pay for Legal Expenses Related to Claims

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What to Do When Someone Steals Your Car Battery

Source: https://www.integritynetworkins.com/blog/will-insurance-cover-stolen-batteries-from-business-cars.aspx

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