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Theft of car accessories such as mirrors, emblems, or parking cameras is rampant in public parking areas. This article discusses whether such losses can be claimed on insurance and how you can protect your vehicle from similar risks.
Car accessories are often targeted by thieves because they have relatively high resale value and are easy to remove. Some components can even be detached in a short amount of time without special tools, especially when a car is parked in an area with minimal supervision.
According to data from Maritime Fairtrade, Surabaya Police recorded 101 motor vehicle theft cases in just two months, from September to October 2022. These incidents occurred in various locations, ranging from residential areas and places of worship to public facilities. Although this data does not specifically detail car accessory theft, it indicates that the risk of losing a vehicle or its components remains a concern.
The BPS Criminal Statistics Report also shows that theft is one of the most common crimes in Indonesia. However, the rate of reporting to the police remains relatively low, at only 20.28 percent. This suggests that there may be a gap between the actual number of incidents occurring in the field and the number of cases officially recorded.
On the other hand, motor vehicle theft globally tends to have a higher reporting rate than other types of property crime. The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) notes that motor vehicle theft cases are often reported more frequently because victims typically require an official police report for administrative purposes, including when filing a vehicle insurance claim.
In the context of car accessories, the risk of theft usually increases in locations with minimal supervision, such as:
Shopping mall parking lots without CCTV
Narrow streets at night
Residential areas with minimal security
Although it may seem like a minor loss, stolen accessories can result in significant replacement costs. Therefore, it is important for vehicle owners to understand which accessories are most vulnerable to theft, how to reduce the risk, and whether these components can be protected through insurance.
The following is a list of accessories most frequently stolen based on reports from users and authorized workshops:
Type of Accessory |
Risk Level |
Estimated Market Price |
Coverage Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Electric/Folding Side Mirror |
High |
IDR 1 million – |
Covered if OEM and listed in the policy |
Emblem or |
Medium |
IDR 200,000 – |
Generally not covered |
Rearview |
High |
IDR 700,000 – |
Covered if OEM and registered |
Shark Fin |
Medium |
IDR 300,000 – |
Extended coverage required |
Alloy |
Medium |
IDR 500,000 – |
Not covered unless extended coverage is purchased |
Chrome |
Low–Medium |
IDR 500,000 – |
Generally not covered |
Disclaimer: Additional or aftermarket accessories are not automatically covered. Only OEM accessories registered in the policy can be claimed.
Some accessories are not even sold freely, so they must be reordered through an official dealer at a higher price. After knowing which accessories are at high risk of theft, it is important to understand whether the loss can be claimed through your car insurance.
This depends on the type of policy and the provisions of the insurance company. In general:
TLO Insurance (Total Loss Only)
Does not cover accessory theft because the loss value does not reach 75% of the car’s value.
All Risk Insurance (Comprehensive)
Can cover the loss of accessories, provided that the accessories are OEM, recorded, and listed in the policy.
In addition, claims for lost accessories may be rejected if:
There is no proof of loss, such as a police report
The car was parked in a place considered high risk
The accessory was a modification and was not declared when the policy was created
If you believe the missing accessories are covered, here are the steps you need to take to submit an insurance claim correctly.
Make sure the accessories are registered in the policy from the start. If they are not, the claim may be rejected.
If you experience accessory theft, the following are the general steps for submitting an insurance claim, specifically for All Risk policies:
Immediately report the incident to the police to obtain a loss report.
Document the condition of the vehicle with photos of the missing accessories.
Contact the insurance company within a maximum of 3 x 24 hours from the incident.
Complete the claim documents, such as your ID card, vehicle registration certificate, policy, chronology, and loss report.
Wait for the survey and verification process from the insurer.
To prevent your claim from being rejected, there are several important things to consider from the beginning of the policy purchase until after the loss occurs.
Register all additional accessories, whether OEM or aftermarket, when creating or renewing the policy.
Avoid parking vehicles in theft-prone areas without supervision.
Use additional safety systems, such as:
Anti-theft bolts on mirrors
Dashboard camera (dashcam)
Car alarm with vibration and sound sensors
Keep proof of accessory purchase, such as receipts or invoices, for claim purposes.
Regularly reread the exclusions in your insurance policy.
As the old saying goes, prevention is always better than cure, and this principle also applies to car accessory theft. Understanding the factors that can lead to a denied claim is equally important. Read our guide on common reasons car insurance claims are rejected to help ensure your future claims process goes smoothly.
Accessory theft can happen to anyone, and insurance claims certainly cannot erase the inconvenience that arises after the incident. Therefore, prevention remains the best step.
Theft of car accessories such as mirrors, emblems, or parking cameras is a real risk that can happen to anyone. Although the value of the loss may not be as large as the theft of an entire car, losing accessories can still cause financial loss and inconvenience.
All Risk Insurance can provide protection against the loss of certain accessories, depending on the terms and conditions of your policy. However, it is important to ensure that the accessories are listed in the policy and that you follow the correct claim procedure.
For maximum protection, consider adding extended coverage to your policy. This way, you are not only protecting your vehicle from major risks but also from small losses that are often overlooked.
