Orlando Harmon
Rodents can be a nuisance, especially when they come near your car. They can crawl into your vehicle's interior or undercarriage and are known to nibble on wires, nest within vents, and leave droppings. While at best, this is only a minor inconvenience, the damage caused by rodents can have you spending hundreds to thousands of dollars in repairs if you aren't properly covered by your car insurance. So, will auto insurance cover rodent damage?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Will auto insurance cover rodent damage? | Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage |
| What is comprehensive coverage? | An optional coverage that can be added to your existing auto policy to cover any damages made to your car resulting from accidents other than collision |
| What does comprehensive coverage include? | Theft, vandalism, fires, fallen trees, flooding, and damages from rodents or other animals |
| What if I don't have comprehensive coverage? | You will have to pay for the damage yourself |
| How much does comprehensive coverage cost? | Adding comprehensive coverage typically adds 7% to 11% to a basic, liability-only car insurance policy |
| What if the damage is less than my deductible? | You will be responsible for the entire amount |
| What if I have a high deductible? | You may not be covered, but you can add comprehensive coverage after repairs to prevent future incidents |
| Does homeowners insurance cover rodent damage to my car? | No |
What You'll Learn
Comprehensive coverage
If you have comprehensive coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, you can rest assured that animal damage to your car will be covered. This includes damage caused by rodents, such as chewed wires or internal damage. Comprehensive coverage is designed to protect against unpredictable events, and damage caused by rodents certainly falls into this category.
When filing a claim for rodent damage, you will need to provide evidence such as photographs of the damage, information about the location and garage of your vehicle, and details about when the damage occurred. It is also recommended to have a mechanic inspect the damage and provide notes confirming that it was caused by rodents.
To prevent rodent damage to your vehicle, consider taking proactive measures such as parking your car in a sealed garage, removing food sources that may attract rodents, using repellents or traps, and moving your vehicle regularly to avoid prolonged inactivity.
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Collision coverage
If you are considering adding comprehensive coverage to your policy, it is a good idea to request quotes from several providers to compare coverage and pricing. Adding comprehensive coverage typically increases the cost of a basic, liability-only car insurance policy by 7% to 11%. The exact amount you will pay depends on the model of your car, your location, and your driving history.
It is worth mentioning that nearly 80% of US drivers carry comprehensive coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). While it is considered optional, comprehensive coverage is usually mandatory for leased or loaned vehicles to protect the lender's investment.
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Vandalism and theft
Comprehensive coverage is an optional add-on to your auto insurance policy that covers vandalism and theft. Vandalism refers to someone intentionally damaging or defacing your vehicle. This includes acts such as slashing tires, breaking windows, keying the car, or putting substances like sugar in the gas tank. If your car is vandalized, you should document the damage, file a police report, and contact your insurance company as soon as possible. Take note that a vandalism claim may or may not raise your insurance rates, depending on your insurer and state.
Comprehensive coverage also covers theft if your car is stolen. However, if someone breaks into your car and steals your personal belongings, this would not be covered by auto insurance but by your home, renters, or condo insurance.
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Fire damage
If your car is damaged by fire, your insurance policy may cover the cost of repairs or replacement. However, this depends on the type of insurance you have. Comprehensive coverage will cover fire damage to your car regardless of the cause of the fire. This includes fires caused by mechanical or wiring defects, theft, or natural disasters such as forest fires. On the other hand, if your vehicle catches fire as a result of an accident with another vehicle or a fixed object, the claim will be handled under collision coverage.
It is important to note that comprehensive coverage is not mandatory in all states, so be sure to check with your insurance company to find out if you have it. Additionally, some comprehensive policies exclude electrical fires from their coverage, so it is crucial to review your policy details carefully. If you live in an area prone to wildfires, it is recommended to confirm that fire damage is not a restricted coverage option.
In the event of fire damage, contact your insurance company as soon as possible to initiate the claims process. The insurance representative will ask you questions about the cause of the fire and the extent of the damage. If the vehicle is deemed a total loss, the insurance company will assess the actual cash value of the vehicle and issue a settlement accordingly, minus any applicable deductibles.
To expedite the claims process, have the following information ready when you contact your insurance company:
- Contact information for any emergency agency that responded to the fire, including a copy of the fire report if available.
- Information on injuries caused by the fire, as well as other damaged vehicles or property.
- Recent repair records and service history of the damaged vehicle.
- A detailed description of the damaged vehicle, including mileage, options, and upgrades.
- A list of personal property damaged in the fire. Coverage for personal items may vary depending on your state and insurance policy.
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Damage caused by wild animals
While comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by wild animals, it is important to note that it does not cover damage to personal property inside your car. For example, if a squirrel scratches your CD collection, this would not be covered under your auto policy. Personal property coverage is typically included in homeowners', renters', or condo insurance policies, but these policies usually do not offer protection for damage caused by animals or pests as it is considered preventable.
To file a claim for damage caused by wild animals, you will need to provide evidence of the damage, such as photographs, and obtain detailed repair estimates. It is also important to confirm that your policy includes comprehensive coverage, as not all insurance policies have this coverage. The cost of adding comprehensive coverage to a basic, liability-only car insurance policy is typically between 7% and 11%.
In addition to comprehensive insurance, there are also steps you can take to prevent damage caused by wild animals. These include keeping your vehicle clean and free of food debris, parking inside a sealed garage, and using repellents with strong scents, such as peppermint oil.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your policy. If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance will usually cover rodent damage. Comprehensive coverage is an optional coverage that can be added to your existing auto policy to cover any damages made to your car resulting from accidents other than collision.
Comprehensive coverage includes theft, vandalism, fires, fallen trees, flooding, and damages from rodents or other animals. It also covers damages to the vehicle's glass.
If you don't have comprehensive coverage and your vehicle has been damaged by rodents, you will have to pay for the repairs yourself. However, it is recommended that you add comprehensive coverage to your policy to protect against future incidents.
To prevent rodent damage, keep your vehicle clean and free of food debris, wrappers, and clutter. Park inside a garage if possible and seal any small holes that rodents could use to enter. You can also use rodent repellents such as peppermint oil or strong-scented soaps.
