Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a riot or civil unrest?

You may be rightly concerned if a riot of civil unrest breaks out in your area. But does car insurance coverage cover damage caused by a riot or civil unrest? We understand that you may be anxious in this situation, so we have performed the research for you and answered your question below.

Your Car Insurance Might Cover Damage Caused by a Riot or Civil Unrest

The good news is that if you have comprehensive car insurance coverage on your policy, the insurance company will usually pay for damages caused during a riot or civil unrest.

But don’t forget that you will typically need to pay your deductible before receiving the funds from the company. If you want more information about a deductible to see whether you can adjust it and how this will affect your monthly rates, check out our expert guide to car insurance deductibles.

Comprehensive cover is typically optional unless you have a leased or financed car. In this case, the lending company may insist that you carry this protection from day one.

Learn More About Comprehensive Car Insurance for Riot Damage

Consider protection from one of the best comprehensive car coverage insurance companies. If you do, a settlement could help repair or replace your vehicle if you sustain damage in an incident that’s not a collision with another vehicle.

Also, it will cover you if you crash into a roaming deer or if an object falls off the back of a truck onto your car. You can claim against this policy for fire damage. Crucially, comprehensive insurance will cover vandalism or damage you may suffer during a riot or civil unrest.

Note that this is separate from collision insurance, which will pay for damage to your car or truck when you crash into another vehicle. If you’d like more information about the various types of insurance, look at an expert guide to full coverage car insurance.

How To Prove That Your Car Was Damaged During a Riot or Civil Unrest

Usually, events like this are well-publicized, and you should have no difficulty in providing evidence if the insurance company calls for it. Riots and civil unrest will get widespread promotion in the media, and you could always get an official report from the police to back up your claim.

You Might Not Get Coverage During a Riot or Civil Unrest

It’s often difficult to know when unrest like this will bubble to the surface, and it may be difficult to avoid any damage to your car.

Yet it’s best to think ahead and cover all eventualities when you look at car insurance, and you may want to carry comprehensive cover, even if it’s optional. Some insurance companies may refuse to write a policy if you live in an area where a riot or civil unrest occurs.

Case Studies: Car Insurance Coverage for Damage Caused by Riot or Civil Unrest

Case Study 1: Comprehensive Coverage Provides Protection

John lives in a city prone to civil unrest. He had the foresight to add comprehensive coverage to his car insurance policy. One day, during a riot in his neighborhood, his car was damaged by vandals. John filed a claim with his insurance company, and they covered the repair costs after he paid his deductible.

Case Study 2: No Coverage Without Comprehensive Insurance

Sarah didn’t have comprehensive coverage on her car insurance policy. When a protest turned violent in her area, her car was caught in the chaos. Rioters damaged her vehicle, leaving her with hefty repair expenses. Unfortunately, Sarah had to bear the full cost of repairs since her policy didn’t cover damages caused by civil unrest.

Case Study 3: Mandatory Comprehensive Coverage For Leased Cars

Michael recently leased a car, and his leasing company required him to carry comprehensive coverage. One night, while a riot unfolded in his city, his car was set on fire by rioters. Michael promptly reported the incident to his insurance company, and they covered the damage to his leased vehicle after he paid the deductible.

Case Study 4: Adding Coverage Before Unrest Breaks Out

Emily lived in an area that experienced sporadic civil unrest. Realizing the potential risks, she decided to add comprehensive coverage to her car insurance policy proactively. When a riot occurred in her neighborhood, her car sustained damage from thrown objects. Emily filed a claim, and her insurance company covered the repairs after she paid her deductible.

Car Insurance May Cover Damage Caused by a Riot or Civil Unrest

If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance policy should cover damage sustained during a riot or civil unrest. However, if you don’t already have this optional cover, you shouldn’t wait until unrest breaks out, as some insurance companies may refuse to add it to your policy.

Also, remember that you will need to pay any deductible before receiving funds from the insurance company.