If you’ve ever actually read an insurance policy, you’re probably one of the few and the proud people who have actually gone the extra mile. The fact is, most people simply sign on the dotted line whenever they obtain insurance, and hardly anyone ever reads the fine print.

This is true for insurance policies of all different coverage types. So, how do you know what your policy actually covers?

Though there are a hundred different questions you could ask, and all of them could pertain to your insurance, one thing that is usually misunderstood is how insurance typically handles car break-ins.

If you’re in the market for new insurance and you’re considering obtaining an auto insurance quote, you’re going to want to read the fine print when it comes to handling auto theft and break-ins. Chances are, you might not be covered in this situation. But, this depends on a few different factors.

Car Insurance Coverage

Any car insurance policy will have a range of normal coverage that most people can expect. You initially choose your insurance coverage and deductible prior to purchasing the insurance. But, sometimes there are so many clauses written into the policy that it can be a little bit confusing.

In the event of an accident, your insurance is supposed to cover the damage to your car and to someone else’s car if you’re found to be at fault. But, how do additional coverages typically work?

Picture this: You’ve just walked into the liquor store to pick up a few things for this weekend’s big party that you have planned for your new property sale. You take your time shopping and finally make it back to your car to find a broken window and an open door. A few personal items are missing as well. So, are you covered?

Comprehensive car insurance with theft coverage will typically not cover any personal belongings stolen from the vehicle. It will, however, cover any damage to permanent features of the car such as windows, door locks, and equipment that cannot be removed from the vehicle’s dashboard.

Homeowners Insurance

The good news is in your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. Though you’ll have to go through and read the fine print on your personal policy, a homeowner’s policy generally covers any personal property stolen from your vehicle.

Basically, a car is looked upon as an extension of the home. So, depending on your policy, you might have a significant amount of coverage if you sustain a car burglary while your car is at home.

If your car is not at home, you’ll have to check with your insurance company to see if the homeowner’s policy extends coverage on the vehicle while in use, or while away from the home.

In the previously mentioned scenario, while you’re waiting for the police to arrive at the liquor store, you’ll have to file two separate claims; one claim for the vehicle damage through your auto insurance, and a stolen property claim with your homeowner’s insurance provided that it covers the vehicle while not at home.

Believe it or not, but the two different policies are often confused when a vehicle is broken into while at home. This is why it’s important to read your policy to know what exactly is covered.

Compare Before Purchasing

In addition to ensuring you’re not making your car a target for break-ins, as a home and vehicle owner, you have a fair amount of due diligence to perform any time you set out to purchase insurance for proper coverage of your vehicle in any situation. While a policy for either home or auto won’t cover everything under the sun, you want to get really specific with your insurance company prior to committing to a policy.

Compare a few different policies prior to deciding just to ensure that you’ve covered all of your bases. Consider the risks that you’re most likely to encounter and choose policies that best suit your needs. Many insurance companies offer to compare their quotes to that of others, and might even match a cheaper policy to keep you as a customer.

The options are nearly endless in the insurance industry, just be sure you know what you’re paying for, and what your policy covers.