Is My Car Covered If It Is Stolen or Damaged at a Workshop?

Taking your car to a workshop for repairs is common. But what happens if your car is stolen, catches fire or gets damaged while it is there?

Your car insurance may still cover the loss, depending on your policy, the cause of the incident and the applicable terms and conditions. In some cases, the workshop may also be responsible if the loss or damage results from its negligence.

Does Car Insurance Cover Theft or Damage at a Workshop?

The answer depends on your insurance coverage. Comprehensive insurance offers broader protection for your own vehicle, while third-party policies provide more limited cover.

Situation	Comprehensive	Third-party, fire and theft (TPFT)	Third-party only
Car stolen from a workshop	Generally covered	Generally covered	Not covered
Car damaged by fire	Generally covered	Generally covered	Not covered
Car damaged in an accident at the workshop	May be covered, depending on the circumstances	Generally not covered	Not covered
Car damaged by faulty repairs or a mechanic’s negligence	Not automatically covered	Not automatically covered	Not covered

Note: This table is a general guide. Actual claim decisions depend on policy wording, exclusions and the insurer’s investigation.

Who Is Responsible If Your Car Is Stolen from a Workshop?

If your car is stolen while at a workshop, you may be able to claim under a comprehensive or TPFT policy. However, the claim remains subject to policy conditions and the circumstances of the theft.

The workshop may also be responsible if the loss resulted from negligence or a failure to take reasonable security precautions. The insurer may investigate the incident and assess whether another party is liable before deciding how the claim should be handled.

If your car is missing, report the theft to the police promptly and notify your insurer. Keep the workshop job sheet, vehicle handover records, receipts and other relevant evidence.

What If Your Car Is Damaged During Repairs?

Not every type of damage that occurs at a workshop is covered by your car insurance. For example, if the engine is damaged because of incorrect installation or a component is damaged during repair work, your standard policy may not cover the loss.

In this situation, ask the workshop to investigate the cause and explain its responsibilities. If the damage resulted from the workshop’s negligence, you may need to pursue a claim against the workshop or its liability insurer, where applicable.

However, if the car suffers fire damage or another loss covered by your policy, your own car insurance may be able to respond. Contact your insurer before authorising additional repairs or deciding how to proceed with a claim.

What Should You Do If Your Car Is Stolen or Damaged at a Workshop?

If this happens, take the following steps to help protect your interests:

1. Collect evidence. Take photographs of the damage and keep repair records, invoices and communications with the workshop.
2. Make a police report where necessary. For theft or other incidents requiring a report, record the time, location and circumstances.
3. Notify your insurer promptly. Ask whether the incident may be covered and follow the notification deadlines in your policy.
4. Request an explanation from the workshop. Obtain the repair records and a written account of what happened.
5. Wait for instructions before arranging further repairs. Avoid altering the damage before the relevant parties inspect it, unless immediate action is needed for safety.

Conclusion

A car stolen or damaged at a workshop is not necessarily excluded from insurance coverage. The outcome depends on your policy, the cause of the loss or damage and the responsibilities of the parties involved.

If an incident occurs, collect evidence, notify your insurer and ask the workshop for an explanation before deciding on repairs or a claim.