No, House insurance typically does not cover damage to your car. However, there might be some exceptions. While homeowners insurance won’t generally cover damage to the vehicle itself, it may provide coverage for personal items stolen from it.
Car insurance policies are typically the ones that cover vehicle repairs, especially if you have collision insurance. Nonetheless, auto policies usually won’t pay for property damage directly. So, in short, your house insurance won’t cover damage to your car.
Who Pays for Car Damage to Property?
The person who pays for the car damage to your property depends on who is at fault for the damage. There are two scenarios to consider:
- At-fault driver: If another driver hits your car while it is parked on your property, then their liability insurance should cover the damage to your car. You can file a claim with their insurance company and get compensated for the repair costs. However, if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may have to pay out of your own pocket or sue them for the damages.
- Insurance policies: If your car is damaged by something other than another driver, such as a natural disaster, vandalism, or theft, then you need to rely on your own insurance policies to cover the damage. Your house insurance will not cover your car damage, but your car insurance might. You need to have comprehensive or collision coverage on your car insurance policy to get coverage for these types of damages.
How to Ensure Coverage for Car Damage in Your Property?
To ensure that you have coverage for your car damage on your property, you need to do two things:
- Obtain collision insurance: Collision insurance covers the damage to your car if it collides with another object, such as a tree, a fence, or a wall. Collision insurance is optional, but it is recommended if you have a newer or more expensive car. Collision insurance has a deductible, which is the amount you have to pay before the insurance kicks in. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium, and vice versa.
- Update homeowners insurance policy: Homeowners insurance policy covers the damage to your house and your personal belongings, but not your car. However, you can update your homeowner’s insurance policy to include coverage for other structures on your property, such as a garage, a shed, or a carport. This way, if your car is damaged while it is parked in one of these structures, you can file a claim with your homeowner’s insurance company and get reimbursed for the repair costs.
Do you need to report the damage to your car to your house insurance company?
No, you do not need to report the damage to your car to your house insurance company, unless your car is parked in a structure that is covered by your homeowners insurance policy. If your car is parked on your driveway or the street, your house insurance company has nothing to do with the damage to your car. You need to report the damage to your car insurance company or the other driver’s insurance company, depending on who is at fault for the damage.
Are there any exclusions or limitations in your house insurance policy for damage to your car?
Yes, there are some exclusions and limitations in your house insurance policy for damage to your car. For example, your house insurance policy will not cover your car damage if:
- Your car is used for business purposes, such as delivering goods or transporting passengers.
- Your car is involved in illegal activities, such as racing, speeding, or driving under the influence.
- Your car is intentionally damaged by you or someone else.
- Your car is damaged by wear and tear, mechanical breakdown, or depreciation.
Can you claim compensation from the person who caused the damage to your car?
Yes, you can claim compensation from the person who caused the damage to your car, if they are at fault for the damage and they have liability insurance. You can file a claim with their insurance company and get paid for the repair costs, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. However, if the person who caused the damage to your car is uninsured or underinsured, you may have to sue them in court to get compensation. This can be a lengthy and costly process, and there is no guarantee that you will win the case or collect the money.
