Personal property stored in the car may be covered by your insurance policy

Do you keep cell phones, iPods, or even a purse in your car while you make a quick trip into a store? Then you might want to read on.

If your car is stolen or totaled in an accident, any damaged or stolen personal property in your car at the time is typically not covered by an auto insurance policy, unless it is specifically stated in your contract.

Maybe stolen CDs are not a big concern, but what if your car is loaded with luggage for a family vacation, or a laptop filled with expensive software programs? Those items are not covered because they are not permanent fixtures of the car. GPS systems are only covered if they are not designed to be removed from the car.

The good news is that if you have homeowners insurance or renters insurance, your property is probably covered no matter where you have it, though away from your residence, at a lower limit. A final tip – always keep your car doors locked, even if your property is fully insured. If the doors are unlocked when a theft occurs, coverage is excluded.