A good auto insurance policy can be worth having when you get in an accident. After paying a deductible, it can save you from having to pull money out of your own pocket for repairs, hospital bills and a rental car while your car is being fixed.
Other instances where auto insurance can have value aren’t so clear cut. Some, in fact, may surprise you. Here are some things you might not expect an auto insurance policy to cover, but it often will:
Personal property
Personal property such as a laptop computer or jewelry that’s stolen from a car isn’t normally covered by car insurance. For that you’ll have to file a claim with your homeowners or renters insurance policy to see if it’s covered when away from your home.
But if your car causes damage to someone else’s property that’s in their car, then the property damage portion of your liability insurance on your car will cover it.
The same is true if another driver caused an accident and hit your car, damaging your personal items that are inside your car. That new TV you’re bringing home from the store? It should be covered by the car insurance of the person who hit your car as you were driving home.
If you are found at fault, your auto insurance would likely cover damage to the other party’s belongings, but not your own. Same goes for an at-fault driver that hits you – their auto insurance coverage would kick in for your belongings, but not their own.
Vandalism
Is your new car scratched or dented? Whether it was by vandals or something other than an accident, it’s covered under comprehensive coverage in a car insurance policy.
You’ll probably have to pay a deductible to have the damage repaired, like if the vehicle’s body is damaged then you’d have to pay a deductible. If glass is broken on the vehicle, however, then you may be able to get it repaired or replaced without a deductible applying or any other out-of-pocket expenses.
Rodents
Mice, rats and other rodents can chew into the electrical wiring under a car’s hood, sometimes making it impossible to start or drive safely. Since this isn’t normal wear and tear on a car or maintenance — which aren’t covered by car insurance — then the comprehensive coverage of your auto policy will cover repairs.
Other animal run-ins
Rodents aren’t the only animals that can damage a car. A cow, moose, deer or bear, among other animals, could be hit by your car or could take a lethal swipe at your car and damage it.
If you’ve got comprehensive coverage, you’ll be covered just as you would for vandalism.
Car seats
Child passenger safety laws vary by state, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, recommends that child car seats be replaced after a moderate or severe crash to ensure that they’re still safe for children to use. They don’t have to automatically be replaced following a minor crash.
The good news is that your car insurance company will probably pay for a new one, whether it’s damaged or not. It also doesn’t matter if the child was in the car seat during the crash. If a car crash can bend the steel in your car, it can likely damage the plastic in a car seat, even if the damage isn’t visible to the naked eye.
A child’s car seat is attached to a vehicle while in use, so it’s viewed as part of the car. The collision portion of an insurance policy or the liability coverage of the negligent driver will cover this loss.
Potholes
Potholes and other things in the road can severely damage a car, causing misalignment and sometimes causing drivers to swerve around them and hit pedestrians. Wheels and tires can also be damaged.
Collision coverage will cover damage from potholes, even though you’re considered at-fault for this minor accident.
Before filing a claim, make sure that the amount of damage exceeds the cost of the deductible you’ll have to pay.
Earthquakes
Earthquake insurance isn’t usually covered in a standard homeowners insurance policy, but autos are insured against earthquake damage through comprehensive insurance in auto insurance policies.
Earthquakes and other natural disasters are called “acts of God” that the vehicle owner isn’t responsible for.
The bottom line
Owning a car isn’t cheap, and having auto insurance that you never use can make the added expense seem like a waste of money.
But having coverage for such unexpected instances should be a relief and more justification for having auto insurance.
If you aren’t sure if these or other mishaps are covered by your insurer, ask your agent for clarification. The responses can at least give you an idea of any areas where you’re lacking coverage and can be an impetus for shopping around for insurance.