Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a road hazard?

Many types of car insurance cover damage caused by a road hazard. Your coverage depends on the type of road hazard you encounter, the kind of car insurance coverage you choose, and your deductible. Frequent claims for damage from road hazards could increase your insurance rates.

The average cost of car insurance is $147 per month for drivers in the U.S. Insurance companies prefer cautious, safe drivers, but they understand that some road hazards are unavoidable. Even extremely careful drivers can sustain occasional damage from road hazards.

Does your car insurance cover damage caused by a road hazard? Here’s some additional information about whether insurance covers road hazards.

Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a road hazard?

Many types of insurance cover damage from road hazards, but some don’t pay for these costs. For example, liability insurance covers the expenses of other people after an accident. For example, a driver could become injured or need a new tire. However, it usually won’t provide money for damage you get from a road hazard.

In some circumstances, liability insurance policies will pay for damage others receive if you cause a road hazard. For example, if a bike falls off your vehicle while you drive and someone else crashes into it, liability insurance could pay for any damage or injuries they incur.

Liability insurance is required in many areas of the United States, and it can protect you from liability if an accident is your fault. However, consider collision and comprehensive car insurance coverage to protect you from most types of road hazards.

Are road hazards covered by collision or comprehensive car insurance?

Collision insurance pays for repairs to your vehicle when you have a collision with another vehicle or object. Common road hazards that the best collision coverage car insurance companies often pay for include:

• Potholes
• Collisions with animals like deer
• Trash on the road
• Tire pieces
• Nails
• Fallen trees
• Oil spills that make the road slippery
• A car that breaks down in the middle of a road
• Icy roads

Comprehensive insurance is usually included with the same policy as collision coverage, but it may require higher rates with some car insurance companies. It usually covers damage to your vehicle that happens when you’re not driving, like vandalism or theft.

It can sometimes pay for road hazards you encounter while driving, such as:

• Hail
• High winds
• Heavy rain
• Smoke from a fire nearby
• A flash flood

Not every comprehensive insurance policy pays for all of these road hazards. Therefore, it’s a good idea to compare the best comprehensive car insurance companies and which hazards they cover before selecting your car insurance policy.

Case Studies: Car Insurance Coverage for Road Hazards

Case Study 1: Sarah’s Debris Encounter

Sarah was driving on the highway when she suddenly encountered a large piece of debris on the road. Unable to avoid it, her car sustained significant damage. Luckily, Sarah had comprehensive car insurance coverage, which includes protection against road hazards. She promptly filed a claim with her insurance company and provided all the necessary documentation.

The insurance company assessed the damages and approved the claim. Sarah’s insurance policy covered the repair costs, and she only had to pay her deductible. Thanks to her comprehensive coverage, Sarah was able to recover quickly from the road hazard incident.

Case Study 2: Mark’s Pothole Mishap

Mark was driving in his neighborhood when he hit a deep pothole, causing damage to his car’s suspension and tires. He had collision coverage as part of his car insurance policy. Mark contacted his insurance company and filed a claim for the damages caused by the road hazard.

The insurance company reviewed the claim, inspected the vehicle, and determined that the repairs were necessary due to the impact of the pothole. Mark’s collision coverage covered the repair costs, and he paid his deductible. He appreciated having collision coverage to handle unexpected road hazards like this.

Case Study 3: Rachel’s Flooding Incident

Rachel parked her car on the street during heavy rain, unaware that the area was prone to flooding. The rising water levels caused damage to the engine and electrical systems of her car. Fortunately, Rachel had comprehensive car insurance coverage, which includes protection against flood damage. She promptly filed a claim with her insurance company and provided the necessary documentation.

The insurance company verified the cause of the damage and approved Rachel’s claim. Her comprehensive coverage covered the repairs, and she paid her deductible. Rachel was relieved that her insurance policy protected her from the unexpected road hazard of flooding.

Things to Remember About Car Insurance for Road Hazards

Collision insurance covers damage from hazards that sit on the road, like debris. Comprehensive coverage usually pays when hazards such as hail fly through the air, and it sometimes determines whether your car is moving when the damage happens.

You can use our free, convenient tool to compare car insurance and choose the best policy.