Implication of loss of personal belongings add-on in the car insurance

Posted on: Jul 24, 2025 | | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Implication of loss of personal belongings add-on in the car insurance

Car insurance is mandatory for any vehicle. The minimum requirement to meet the legal standards is a simple third-party plan. However, to enjoy a more elaborate coverage, you need a car insurance comprehensive plan. You can even enhance the scope of the policy by adding suitable riders or add-ons to it. One such add-on is the loss of personal belongings.

What is considered a loss of personal belongings under car insurance coverage?

If you face any loss due to damage or theft of any personal item from your insured vehicle, it will come under the purview of the loss of personal belongings in car insurance.

You can avail of this additional coverage protection by paying separately for this add-on along with your basic car plan cover.

This is the basic loss of personal belongings in car insurance meaning.

Personal belongings cover add-on

As per the chosen plan terms, your insurer will allow coverage protection for the personal items lost from your vehicle. Some of the popular add-ons in this category include:

• Personal belongings add-on, including any electronic equipment

• Damage-specific coverage for personal belongings add-on

• Theft-specific personal belongings add-on

Clarify all the details well with your insurer before finalising your plan purchase.

Exclusions of the personal belongings add-on

Some common exclusions in the loss of personal belongings add-on include the following:

• Delayed reporting: This involves notifying the insurer after 30 days of the concerned incident.

• Negligence: If the loss happens due to sheer negligence, then the insurer will not entertain your claim.

• Business items: Any loss of business items will not be accounted for.

• Data loss: The insurer will not allow any coverage for any data loss stored in any sort of electrical device.

• Overnight items: The insurer will not grant a claim if the items were left in your vehicle overnight.

• Missing documentation: You cannot receive this coverage if you do not maintain proper documentation along with the FIR copy.

Claim procedure

First, inform the insurer and explain the condition.

Secondly, share the necessary details for verification.

Follow the procedure as stated by your insurer.

Readily comply with the claims team and submit all the relevant documents as necessary.

The claim amount will be credited to your registered bank account, provided your claim has been investigated to be genuine.

Documents required for the claim settlement procedure

You need to submit the following documents to claim your loss of personal belongings under your car insurance policy:

• A claim form, be it physical or digital

• FIR copy (if applicable)

• Genuine invoices of the lost or damaged assets concerned

• Other supporting documents as asked by your insurer

Conclusion

Loss of personal belongings coverage is a reliable add-on to a comprehensive car plan. However, before you buy it, be aware of all the relevant terms & conditions, inclusions & exclusions to avoid any misunderstanding during claim settlement.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

• Car Trunk and Car Boot: What is the Difference?

• Know How to Prevent Your Car from Overheating This Summer