Accidents can happen anywhere, anytime, but when you hit your own car it can be especially aggravating. Maybe your garage is narrow and you sideswiped your spouse’s vehicle, or your teenager parked the car in an odd place and you backed right into it. Whatever the scenario, it can be inconvenient to have a crash with two of your own cars.
So, will you still be covered if you hit your own car? It depends on the type of policy and coverage you have, so it’s a good idea to understand the issues now and whether you might want to increase your own protection.
Coverage That Pays
Usually, when you are in an accident that involves someone else, you file a claim and either your insurance company or the insurance company of the other driver pays for the damages. This is done usually through collision coverage.
Collision coverage pays for damages caused by a collision between two vehicles. If you have collision coverage, you should be covered for damages. If you don’t have collision coverage, in some states you may be able to have damages paid using your liability insurance, as long as the other vehicle is listed under a separate policy.
Collision Coverage Can Be Important
If your liability coverage does not allow you to make claims against a car that you own, you will want to make sure you are covered if you hit your own car by carrying collision coverage. Depending on your situation, it can make sense to pay a little extra to cover yourself.
If you have a lot of drivers and cars in your household, your risk of accident is higher, and without collision coverage your risk of having to repair damages using your own money is higher. Collision offers the best assurance for protection for the vehicles you own.
What About the Deductible?
If you hit your own vehicle, you will usually be responsible for paying the deductible. And, if both vehicles are damaged, you may have to pay the deductible for each vehicle even if they are listed on one policy.
In some states, however, claims that involve the same insurance company may be have the deductible waived. These are known as cross-file claims, and in some situations insurance carriers will allow a deductible waiver for these types of claims.
What if You Damage Your Own Property?
Your collision coverage should protect you against out-of-pocket expenses should you damage your own vehicle. But what about if you damage part of your house, for instance, by crashing into it with your car?
If you own your house, you would attempt to have the damages paid for by your home insurance policy. But if you rent your house, you may be in luck. For renters, their car insurance policy will likely cover the damages to the house, since the house is owned by someone else. Most car insurance policies will not cover property you own but will cover property damage to someone else’s property.
To find out how you can protect yourself in these and other types of situations, use the InsuranceWins online form. You’ll be able to compare quotes for collision and liability insurance from major carriers, and choose the policy that’s best for you.
