Car Insurance Coverage for Self-Inflicted Damage – Self-inflicted accidents can happen in so many ways. From crashing into the garage door to backing out of driveways and hitting your partner’s car, if it has not happened to you, it has probably happened to someone that you know. And you are currently wondering if your auto insurance policy will cover the self-inflicted damage.
Keep in mind that as long as your car insurance policy includes collision and comprehensive coverage. Your policy will cover damage to your car, even if you were the one at fault. The only time it won’t cover the self-inflicted damage is if it happened while breaking the law or was intentional. The following is everything you need to know about Car Insurance Coverage for Self-Inflicted Damage.
Car Insurance Coverage for Self-Inflicted Damage
Just like I have mentioned above, yes, car insurance covers self-inflicted damage to your car that is not done intentionally. However, keep in mind that you must have a full coverage policy. This means your policy must include collision coverage, liability coverage, and comprehensive coverage.
- Collision Coverage: This covers damage to your vehicle from a collision, whether you are to blame or not.
- Comprehensive coverage: This covers non-collision-related damage to your vehicle. Such as falling objects, damage caused by animals, weather damage, theft, fire, and explosions.
- Liability Coverage: This covers damage that your car causes to other people. This includes both property damage and bodily injury.
Your insurance policy cannot cover everything. It only covers the car damage you caused to yourself unintentionally and to other people.
How Does My Insurance Policy Cover Self-Inflicted Damage?
This depends on the type of damage caused. For instance, if you throw a stone into a tree to remove a stuck Frisbee and it mistakenly falls into your windshield, you will have to file a comprehensive claim to cover the cost of replacing or repairing the windshield.
Meanwhile, if you move on the road to avoid hitting an animal, if you accidentally run into someone else’s fence, your collision coverage would help to pay for damage to your car. And the liability insurance will pay for the damage you caused to the other person’s fence. Insurers understand that humans are not perfect and are bound to make mistakes from time to time. As long as the damages were not caused intentionally, the company will help pay for the claims.
When would my Car Insurance Provider Deny a Claim for Self-Inflicted Damage?
Keep in mind that self-inflicted damage will not always be covered by your auto insurance. There are many reasons why your insurer may deny the claim for self-inflicted damage. This includes
You damage your car intentionally
Just like I have mentioned many times above, insurers will never cover damage you cause on purpose. Many times, people may damage their vehicle on purpose as an act of rage or vandalism or to commit insurance fraud. If you destroy your partner’s car while angry or set fire to your vehicle to collect insurance, I am sorry, but your insurer will not cover the damage.
The damage isn’t listed in your policy
Your claim may be denied if the damage is excluded from your coverage or if it goes beyond the policy limits. For instance, if you only have collision coverage and accidentally damage other people’s properties, your insurer will not pay for that. Because collision coverage only covers damage to your car, not other people.
Broke the law
Sometimes, accidental damage may not be covered. For instance, if you were breaking the law when the vehicle was damaged, like driving without a valid license, your insurer would deny your claim.
Your insurer will cover damage caused by mistakes or forgetfulness. Even if you are not the driver or there was no driver at all, the insurer will cover the damage.
Can I File a Liability Claim for my Car?
No, you can’t do that. Liability insurance only covers damage you did to other people and their property up to your insurance policy limit. If you damage your car, you will need to file a collision or comprehensive insurance claim. And if the damage caused wasn’t by a person, you cannot file a liability claim either.
However, if someone damages your car, you will have to file a claim against their liability insurance and get paid for damages. If their insurance is not enough to cover the damages, they will be required to pay for the remaining out of pocket. Also, if other people cause damage to your car intentionally, they will have to pay for the damage out of pocket and might even face jail time.