Which insurance covers theft?

What types of theft does household contents insurance cover?

When theft occurs, the question immediately arises: who will cover the loss involved? The answer depends on how and where the theft happened. In many cases, household contents insurance is your most important protection. Here are the main types of theft covered by household contents insurance:

• Burglary
• Simple theft from the home 
• Simple theft outside the home
• Robbery

Burglary

Burglary means that someone forcibly breaks into your home, for example by breaking a window or through a door that has been forced open. In a burglary, items such as jewellery, electronic items or cash are stolen. Example: You come home, find the door broken open and some items have been stolen.

The best way to protect yourself against burglary at home is to install secure doors and windows. Good burglary protection can help prevent theft and minimise the cost of your household contents insurance.

Simple theft from the home

In simple theft from the home, your belongings disappear without anyone breaking in. This happens, for example, if you leave your balcony door open and someone walks into the living room unnoticed and takes your handbag. Such cases are always insured by your basic cover.

Simple theft outside the home

Simple theft outside the home is theft that takes place outside your own four walls. The classic example: You put your mobile on the table in a restaurant and suddenly your new smartphone is gone.

In the event of theft while you are travelling, such as during a train journey or if your bike is stolen at a railway station, you need the “Simple theft outside the home” supplementary insurance.

Robbery

In a robbery, you are personally threatened or attacked. For example, if someone snatches your mobile phone on the street or uses force to make you surrender your wallet. These cases are insured under the basic cover of your household contents insurance, even if they happen while you’re out and about.

Which other types of insurance cover theft?

Household contents insurance is not the only way to protect against theft. There are other insurance policies that you can consider for certain types of theft. 

Travel/luggage insurance

Travel insurance that includes luggage insurance protects your valuables while you’re on holiday and on other trips. For example:

• A camera is stolen from your hotel room.
• Your suitcase disappears while you’re changing trains abroad.

Accidental damage insurance

Car insurance applies if your car, or items in it, are stolen. Theft of the vehicle is already covered by partial accidental damage insurance. Partial accidental damage insurance also covers any damage caused by theft or attempted theft, such as broken windows. Parts permanently attached to the car, such as a navigation device or car radio, are also insured against theft. 

Third-party liability insurance

Third-party liability insurance does not pay to replace stolen items. It only pays if you cause damage to another person – but not in the case of theft or other criminal offences.

What is not insured in the event of theft?

If you are a victim of theft, the right insurance can compensate you for the cost of the resulting loss and damage. However, there are also cases that are not covered despite you having insurance:

• Gross negligence, for example if you leave windows or doors open when you are not there.
  
  
• Theft without burglary, if you have no supplementary insurance.
  
  
• Cash and valuables are only insured to a limited extent.
  
  
• Missing evidence, such as no report to the police or receipts for valuables.

Tip: keep receipts and photos of your valuables. This makes it easier to make a claim. You should also take out additional theft insurance for particularly valuable items, such as jewellery or works of art.

What do I have to do after a theft for the insurance to pay for the loss or damage? 

In order for your insurance to cover loss and damage caused by theft, it is important that you act quickly. Follow these step-by-step instructions:

1. Notify the police: Report theft to the police immediately, preferably by phone or in person. It’s important that you insist on a written report.
   
   
2. Safely store the report: Ask for a copy of the report or a confirmation document. The document must include the date, time and stolen items.
   
   
3. Make a claim online: Report the loss and damage to your insurer as soon as possible. Are you insured with Generali? You can find the online form here.
   
   
4. Submit receipts: Include invoices, sales receipts or photos of the stolen items. This helps to assess the value.
   
   
5. Stay in touch: We will contact you if we have any questions or if any documents are missing. Answer quickly so that your case can be processed rapidly.

How much does theft insurance cost?

Strictly speaking there is no such thing as “theft insurance”. Depending on the type of theft, different types of insurance provide the cover, such as household contents insurance, car insurance or travel insurance.

The costs depend on what you insure:

The premium for household contents insurance depends on the value of your household contents and your living situation. If you want to insure a large apartment or house, you usually pay more. Supplementary insurance options such as “simple theft outside the home” also affect the price. 

If you travel a lot, you should think about additional cover for ‘theft while outside the home’ on top of your household contents insurance. This means you’ll also be protected outside your home – if someone steals your phone from a café or your bike disappears at the train station, for example. The premium is comparatively low, but the protection is very valuable.

Accidental damage insurance covers the theft of a car or its parts. The premium depends on the type of vehicle, the age of the car and the location where it is parked. 

Travel insurance is usually taken out for a specific trip. The price depends on the value of the trip and the coverage selected.

Get comprehensive cover for your property, for when you are at home or on the go. Our household contents insurance with suitable supplementary cover options offers you the protection you need. Get personal advice or calculate your premium online.