How to Get Insurance for a Car That Thieves Target

What insurance covers high-theft vehicles

Insurance for high-theft vehicles works the same way as insurance for any car, but it costs more. Your insurer charges higher premiums because the risk of theft is higher. The coverage itself — what you get paid if your car is stolen — does not change based on how often your model gets stolen. What changes is the price you pay for that coverage.

The type of coverage that protects you if your car is stolen is called comprehensive coverage. This is separate from collision coverage (which covers accidents) and liability coverage (which covers damage you cause to someone else). Comprehensive pays the actual cash value of your car if it is stolen, minus your deductible. If you have a loan or lease on the vehicle, your lender will require you to carry comprehensive coverage.

High-theft vehicles include popular models like Honda Civics, Honda Accords, Toyota Camrys, and Ford F-150s, as well as luxury cars and sports cars. Theft rates vary by model year and trim level. Your insurer knows which vehicles are stolen most often in your area and prices accordingly.

Key Takeaways

• Comprehensive coverage is the insurance that pays if your car is stolen, and it costs more for vehicles that thieves target frequently.
• Your deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket — directly affects your premium, and raising it can lower your monthly cost.
• Anti-theft devices like steering wheel locks, GPS trackers, and alarm systems can reduce your premium by 5 to 15 percent with many insurers.
• Parking in a garage or well-lit area, and getting quotes from multiple insurers, are the most practical ways to lower your rate.

How much comprehensive coverage costs for high-theft vehicles

The cost of comprehensive coverage depends on your deductible, the value of your car, your location, your age and driving record, and how often that specific model is stolen in your area. A $500 deductible will cost more per month than a $1,000 deductible, but you will pay less out of pocket if theft happens. A $2,500 deductible is cheaper monthly but means you absorb more of the loss yourself.

For a high-theft vehicle worth $15,000 to $25,000, comprehensive coverage with a $500 deductible might run $40 to $80 per month depending on where you live and your history. In areas with higher theft rates — urban centers and certain regions — the same car costs more to insure. Your age matters: drivers under 25 and over 65 typically pay higher rates. A clean driving record lowers your rate; accidents and violations raise it.

The only way to know what you will actually pay is to get quotes from multiple insurers. Rates vary significantly between companies, and some offer discounts you may not know about. Spending an hour getting three to five quotes can save you hundreds of dollars per year.

Discounts that lower your premium

Anti-theft devices reduce your premium with most insurers. A steering wheel lock, GPS tracker, or factory alarm system can lower your rate by 5 to 15 percent. Some insurers offer bigger discounts for newer technology like GPS systems that alert you if the car moves without permission. Ask your insurer which devices they recognize before you buy one.

Bundling your car insurance with home or renters insurance usually saves 10 to 25 percent on your car premium. Paying your full premium upfront instead of monthly often saves 5 to 10 percent. Completing a defensive driving course can lower your rate by 5 to 10 percent and may also reduce points on your license if you have a traffic violation. Some insurers offer discounts if you drive fewer than a certain number of miles per year or if you have not had an accident in three to five years.

Where you park matters to some insurers. Parking in a garage overnight, especially a locked garage, can lower your rate. Parking in a well-lit lot is better than an unlit street. If you can park in a garage, ask your insurer whether they offer a discount for it — not all do, but many will reduce your premium by 10 to 20 percent.

Comparing quotes from different insurers

Different insurance companies price high-theft vehicles differently. One insurer may charge $60 per month for comprehensive on a Honda Civic while another charges $85 for the same coverage. The difference comes down to how much theft loss that company has experienced with that model in your area, and how they price risk overall.

When you get quotes, use the same deductible, coverage limits, and vehicle information with each company so you can compare apples to apples. Tell each insurer about anti-theft devices you have or plan to install, your parking situation, and any discounts you may have access to for. Some companies ask about these things automatically; others do not, so mention them.

Major insurers include State Farm, Geico, Progressive, Allstate, USAA (if you are military or a veteran), and regional companies. Online comparison tools let you enter your information once and get quotes from several companies at once. You can also call insurers directly or work with an independent agent who represents multiple companies.

What happens if your high-theft vehicle is stolen

If your car is stolen, call the police first and file a report. Get the report number. Then contact your insurance company and report the theft. You will need to provide the police report number, your vehicle identification number (VIN), proof of ownership, and proof that you had comprehensive coverage at the time of theft.

Your insurer will investigate the theft claim. This typically takes a few weeks. If the car is recovered before they pay out, they will inspect it for damage. If it is damaged beyond repair, they pay you the actual cash value of the car minus your deductible. If the car is not recovered, they pay the same amount. You are responsible for your deductible; the insurance company pays the rest.

If you still owe money on a loan, the insurance payout goes to your lender first to pay off the loan balance. If the payout is more than you owe, you get the difference. If the payout is less than you owe, you are responsible for the remaining balance — this is called being "upside down" on the loan. This is one reason to carry comprehensive coverage: it protects you from this situation.

Reducing theft risk while you wait for coverage

While you are getting insurance in place, take steps to make your car a harder target. Lock your doors and close your windows every time you leave the car, even for a few minutes. Do not leave your keys in the car or in an obvious place like your front door. Do not leave valuables visible inside — put bags, phones, and electronics in the trunk or take them with you.

Park in a garage if you have one, especially at night. If you do not have a garage, park in a well-lit, populated area rather than an empty street or dark lot. Some neighborhoods have community parking lots that are monitored. Vary your routine so your car is not parked in the same spot at the same time every day.

Install a visible anti-theft device like a steering wheel lock or club. Even if it does not prevent theft, it signals that your car is not an easy target, and thieves often move on to an easier one. If your car has a factory alarm, use it. If it does not, aftermarket alarms and GPS trackers are available and can lower your insurance cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to carry comprehensive coverage if I own my car outright?

No. If you own the car and do not have a loan, comprehensive is optional. However, if your car is a high-theft model and you cannot afford to replace it if it is stolen, comprehensive is worth the cost. If you can absorb the loss, you can skip it and save money on your premium.

Will my rate go down if I install a GPS tracker?

It may. Many insurers offer discounts for GPS trackers, but not all, and the discount varies. Some offer 5 percent, others 15 percent. Ask your insurer which devices may have access to for a discount before you buy. A $200 tracker that saves you $10 per month is not worth it; one that saves you $30 per month pays for itself in seven months.

What if my car is recovered after the insurance company pays me?

The insurance company owns the recovered car. You do not get both the payout and the car back. If the car is recovered and repairable, the insurer may sell it to a salvage company or auction. You keep the money they paid you.

Can I lower my premium by raising my deductible?

Yes. Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 or $1,500 lowers your monthly premium. The trade-off is that you pay more out of pocket if theft occurs. Choose a deductible you can actually afford to pay if you need to — a $2,500 deductible saves money monthly but only if you have $2,500 available when your car is stolen.

Do all insurance companies charge more for high-theft vehicles?

Yes, but the amount varies. Some companies charge significantly more for popular theft targets; others price them only slightly higher. This is why getting quotes from multiple insurers matters. Your best rate may come from a company that has not experienced much theft loss with your specific model in your area.