Auto Insurance

• Drivers are generally allowed to select from a number of insurance coverage options. When he chooses liability coverage, he can select any amount of coverage he wants, so long as it exceeds the state minimum. In addition, he can select a number of options if he chooses to purchase comprehensive coverage, including if he wants coverage for his personal effects.
  
  

Comprehensive Coverage

• When a person selects comprehensive coverage, the insurer will ask him what contingencies he wants covered. For example, most policies will cover damage due to collision or to the theft of a car. However, the person may also choose to pay more to receive payouts in the event of theft of personal effects within the car or damage due to events besides an accident, such as the weather.
  
  

Personal Effects

• A driver may choose to protect his personal effects from theft if the car is stolen, receiving a payout that covers not just the theft of the car, but the cost of the items in the car when it was stolen. Also, a person can select coverage for his effects if they are damaged in an accident.
  
  

Considerations

• Whether personal effects will be covered will depend on a number of factors, namely whether coverage is provided for in the policy and, if so, whether the loss meets the criteria for coverage. Sometimes, coverage can be denied if the driver's actions contributed to the damage of the items. For example, some policies include a clause that denies coverage in the event of extreme negligence--for example, driving while intoxicated.