Auto Insurance And Falling Objects: What's Covered?

If a falling object damages your car, you may be wondering if your auto insurance will cover the cost of repairs. The answer is: it depends. If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance will likely cover the damage, minus your deductible. Comprehensive coverage includes damage from sources other than accidents, such as fire, flooding, or theft. However, if you only have liability coverage, you will have to pay for the repairs yourself. Liability insurance only covers damage you cause to others, not damage to your own vehicle. To ensure you're prepared for unexpected incidents like falling objects, it's recommended to add full coverage, including both collision and comprehensive insurance, to your policy.

Comprehensive insurance covers falling objects

Comprehensive coverage is subject to a deductible, which is the amount you pay before your insurance company covers the rest of the damage. This means that if the damage to your car is less than or similar to your deductible, it may be more cost-effective to pay for the repairs out of pocket. Common auto insurance deductibles are $500 and $1,000.

In addition to covering falling objects, comprehensive insurance also provides protection in other scenarios. It covers collisions with another car or object, damage caused by the road surface (such as potholes), roadside assistance, towing, and jump starts. It also covers rental car expenses after an accident.

Comprehensive insurance is particularly useful if you want protection against financial losses resulting from unforeseen events. It provides peace of mind knowing that you are covered for a wide range of potential damages beyond just collisions. This type of insurance is ideal for those seeking more comprehensive protection for their vehicles.

Collision insurance covers road debris

Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle caused by road debris. This includes accidents with other cars and accidents that do not involve another vehicle. For example, if you hit a mattress in the middle of the road, it would be covered by collision insurance as it is considered a collision with an object.

Collision coverage will pay for repairs if you accidentally run into or over an object on the road. Collision insurance financially protects your car in an accident, whether you are at fault or not, and covers single-car accidents if you crash on your own. Collision insurance will also cover you if road debris causes you to swerve and collide with a tree, telephone pole, or guard rail.

If you have a full coverage insurance policy, your collision insurance will pay for repairs. However, if you have a minimum coverage policy with liability-only insurance, your policy will not provide any coverage for debris damage. In this case, you will have to pay for damages out of pocket.

Collision claims are more likely to raise your insurance rates than comprehensive claims as you can be at fault in a collision claim. When reviewing your insurance policy, pay attention to any exclusions and limitations as there may be items listed as "exclusions" that your insurer won't cover.

Liability insurance doesn't cover falling objects

Liability insurance is the minimum amount of car insurance you need to drive legally. It only covers damage to others, not damage to yourself or your vehicle. Therefore, liability insurance does not cover falling objects. If you want to be covered for damage to your own vehicle, you will need to purchase additional coverage.

Collision coverage will cover damage to your vehicle if you run over something in the road. It will also cover you if you swerve to avoid a falling object and then collide with something else, such as a tree or guard rail. However, if the falling object causes only a minor nick or scratch, you may not be eligible for coverage, as the damage must exceed your deductible.

Comprehensive coverage will cover damage to your vehicle if a falling object hits it. This type of coverage is for damage to your vehicle from any source other than an accident. For example, comprehensive coverage will reimburse you for damage caused by fire, flooding, or theft, in addition to falling objects.

Both collision and comprehensive coverage require you to pay a deductible when you make a claim. A deductible is an amount you vow to pay before your insurance company covers the rest of the damage. Deductibles are meant to prevent people from filing claims for minor damage and to prevent fraud. Common auto insurance deductibles are $500 and $1,000.

Proving negligence in a falling object incident

To prove negligence in a falling object incident, there are four key elements that must be demonstrated. These are:

• Duty of Care: Establishing that the property owner or another party had a duty to ensure the safety of the environment and maintain reasonably safe conditions. This includes taking reasonable steps to ensure the property is free from dangerous conditions that could cause harm to others.
• Breach of Duty: Showing that the property owner or responsible party failed to meet their obligation to provide a safe environment. This could be due to unmarked wet floors, poorly maintained property, or obstacles creating hazardous situations.
• Causation: Demonstrating that the breach of duty directly caused the accident and the resulting damages. It should be proven that the falling object was a direct consequence of the negligence.
• Damages: Providing evidence that the victim suffered tangible harm, such as injuries and medical treatment costs, as a result of the incident.

• Take photographs of the scene immediately after the incident, focusing on the specific hazards or objects that caused the damage.
• Gather witness statements from individuals who saw what happened, as their accounts can support your claim.
• Obtain accident reports or incident reports, as they can serve as crucial evidence and provide insights into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
• Document your injuries through detailed medical records, which are essential to prove that the incident resulted in tangible harm.
• If the incident involves a vehicle, obtain dashboard camera footage if available, as it can capture the accident and the license plate number of the vehicle from which the object fell.
• File a police report, especially if there are injuries involved, as it can be crucial for insurance claims and holding the responsible party accountable.

What to do if a falling object damages your car

If a falling object damages your car, you may be able to claim for repairs on your insurance. The type of insurance coverage you have will determine whether the damage is covered.

Collision Coverage

If you run over a fallen object on the road, collision coverage will pay for repairs. This type of insurance covers incidents where you collide with an object, such as when debris on the road causes you to swerve and hit something else.

Comprehensive Coverage

If an object falls and hits your car, comprehensive coverage will pay for repairs. This type of insurance covers damage to your car from sources other than a collision, such as fire, flooding, or theft.

Deductibles

In both cases, you will have to pay a deductible—an amount you vow to pay before your insurance company covers the rest of the damage. Deductibles are designed to prevent people from filing claims for minor damage and to stop fraud. Common auto insurance deductibles are $500 and $1,000.

• Document the scene. Take photos of the damage and the object that fell, and make notes about the location and time of the incident.
• Contact your insurance provider as soon as possible and follow their instructions.
• If it is safe to do so, clear away the object and any debris. If you cannot move the object yourself, call a removal service.
• If the object fell from another vehicle, try to get the driver's license plate number.
• If the object fell from a neighbor's property or a city-owned area, notify the owner and ask them to remove it. They may be responsible for the damage if you can prove they were negligent.
• If people in your car are injured, file a police report. The driver whose vehicle the object fell from could be held accountable for medical costs.

Frequently asked questions