By Jamie Johnson, WCI ContributorIf you’re a physician who carries expensive medical equipment in your car, you’ve probably wondered what would happen if it were stolen or damaged. The costs of portable medical equipment can vary quite a bit, from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands of dollars.
If the equipment is damaged or stolen during a break-in, you might assume auto insurance will cover the costs, but that’s not the case. Surprisingly, your home or renters insurance is more likely to kick in and help. Let’s look at how both home and auto policies work and the ways you can protect valuable medical equipment on the road.
What Your Auto Insurance Actually Covers
Comprehensive auto insurance primarily covers damages to your vehicle, but you may be surprised to learn it doesn’t cover the personal property inside. For instance, if thieves smash your car window and steal your portable ultrasound machine, your auto policy will typically cover the broken glass and any interior damage.
But that $25,000 piece of medical equipment? Not covered.
That’s true whether the theft happens in your own driveway, at a hospital parking garage, or while you’re parked outside a patient’s home. It’s a frustrating surprise for anyone who thought comprehensive coverage included everything in your vehicle.
Where Homeowners or Renters Insurance Comes In
Fortunately, homeowners insurance or renters insurance may cover the gaps left by your auto insurance. That’s because most policies include something called off-premises personal property coverage. This coverage extends beyond your residence, following your personal property wherever it travels.
Let’s say your diagnostic equipment gets swiped while you’re parked outside the hospital or your medical bag vanishes from your trunk while you’re grabbing dinner. Your home insurance will probably cover it once you’ve met your deductible.
However, there is one important caveat to be aware of—off-premises coverage usually tops out at 10% of your total personal property coverage. So, if you have $200,000 in personal property coverage, that means you’ve got $20,000 in off-premises protection. If you regularly have to transport expensive medical equipment, it’s worth reviewing your coverage to ensure the limits are high enough.
More information here:
Insuring Your High-Value Items: A Guide for Physicians to Protect Their Most Precious Possessions
Common Coverage Gaps and Limitations
While homeowners insurance often covers theft from vehicles, there are several limitations to be aware of:
- Business use exclusions: Standard policies often exclude or limit coverage for business-use items, potentially leaving professional medical equipment unprotected. That means equipment you use to treat patients or earn income might fall outside basic coverage.
- Low limits for certain items: Policies often cap coverage for electronics or professional tools at $1,000-$2,500 per item, which won’t go very far if you’re replacing high-end medical gear.
- High deductibles: If your deductible is $1,000 or more, you may not even bother filing a claim for smaller losses.
- Ambiguous definitions: Some insurers draw a hard line between personal belongings and business tools, and medical equipment often falls into a gray area. If your equipment is used for patient visits or hospital rounds, your insurer might classify it as business property and deny the claim under a standard homeowners policy. That’s why it’s important to clarify how your insurer defines and covers professional equipment.
The bottom line is that just because something is technically covered doesn’t mean it’s fully protected.
When You Need a Rider or Endorsement
If you’ve invested thousands of dollars in portable medical equipment, purchasing a rider may be a good idea. This is a way to add extra coverage for high-value items that your standard policy doesn’t fully cover. A rider can:
- Raise your coverage limits
- Cover items used for business
- Eliminate gray areas over what qualifies as personal property
- Provide full replacement cost instead of depreciated value
It’s especially helpful if you work locums, split your time across multiple sites, or travel frequently for work. Your gear is constantly on the move, and a rider gives you peace of mind that it’s protected wherever it goes.
How to File a Claim with Your Insurer
Here are the steps you’ll take if your equipment gets stolen or damaged:
- File a police report immediately, even if recovery seems unlikely—insurance companies want this type of documentation.
- Take photos of any vehicle damage or the scene, noting serial numbers and identifying marks of stolen equipment.
- Contact your insurance company within 24-48 hours to begin the claims process.
- Provide documentation like receipts, serial numbers, and product info—basically anything that proves ownership and value.
The more organized you are, the smoother the process will go. Insurers may ask additional questions about high-value or business-use items, so be ready to explain what the equipment is, how you use it, and where it’s typically stored.
More information here:
What to Do When Your Insurance Rates Go Up: A Guide for Physicians
Replacement vs. Cash Value: What Physicians Need to Know About High-Value Item Insurance
Tips to Protect Your Medical Equipment
Anytime you’re traveling with expensive medical equipment, prevention is always the best strategy. Never leave expensive medical equipment visible in vehicles, even for a few minutes.
Utilize trunk storage or covered compartments, and consider portable security lockboxes for temporary storage. When staying overnight during locum work, keep valuable equipment in your room rather than leaving it in parking areas.
It’s important to maintain updated equipment inventories with photographs, serial numbers, and current replacement costs. Consider installing dash cameras or vehicle security systems, which act as a theft deterrent and may help you qualify for insurance discounts. And while they won't prevent theft, installing a GPS tracking device can increase your odds of recovering the equipment.
The Bottom Line
If you’re regularly carrying expensive medical equipment in your car, your homeowners or renters insurance may provide coverage if those items are damaged or stolen. However, it’s important to understand any limitations and potential gaps in coverage.
Take some time to check your current policy, and if the numbers look low, talk to your insurer about a rider. And regardless of what coverage you have, always take steps to protect your medical equipment—a little preparation can save you a lot of money and frustration down the road.
Check out our list of insurance agents for doctors if you want more personalized help covering your valuables.
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