Would Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Vehicle Damage?
Imagine yourself in this scenario: While sitting at home one night, a storm rolls through your area with strong, gusting winds. A tree branch snaps. It falls and lands on your car parked in the driveway, causing significant damage to the roof and shattering the windshield. Would your auto insurance policy cover this? Or, since the vehicle was parked at home, would it be covered by homeowner’s insurance? Many policyholders are unsure which policy would cover the damage; worse yet, some may not have the coverage they need to handle such claims. Cover your areas for risk — learn what scenarios auto and homeowner’s insurance cover and how you can adequately protect your assets.
Auto vs. Homeowner’s Insurance
Auto insurance covers damages to your automobile or injuries resulting from a car accident. Auto insurance comes with numerous options, including:
- Liability insurance — Covers bodily injury and property damage to others.
- Collision insurance — Covers physical damage to your vehicle caused by accidents.
- Medical payment coverage — Covers medical expenses for you and your passengers.
- Comprehensive coverage — Covers physical damage to your vehicle caused by theft, vandalism, hail, and falling objects.
- Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage — Covers medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of wages for you if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance or insufficient coverage.
- Additional coverage options — Can enhance standard policies with coverage for towing and labor and car rental loan and lease coverage.
Homeowner’s insurance covers damage to your home or property from fires, storms, or other disasters (floods are typically not included). Common homeowner’s insurance options include the following:
- Standard home policy, which covers physical structures, personal belongings, temporary living expenses, and liability protection.
- Liability protection, which is automatically included.
- Additional coverages for certain possessions like jewelry or musical instruments or large equipment repairs like HVAC systems.
So, back to the car…
As defined by comprehensive auto coverage, damage from a falling tree branch would be covered by the policyholder’s auto insurance. Any damage to the house itself or any structures around it (garage, shed, etc.) would be covered by the homeowner’s policy, but the vehicle itself — even if parked — would need to be covered by an auto insurance policy.
Knowing which policies cover specific damages can be difficult, increasing the chances of gaps in your coverage. However, supplementing your coverage with an umbrella insurance policy is a great way to mitigate your risk and ensure you’re ready for the unexpected.
Let our agents find the best umbrella policy to suit your lifestyle. Get a quote today or call (847) 741-0083 for more information.