Insurance regulations vary by state and may not require both comprehensive (sometimes referred to as ‘other than collision) and collision coverage, which pays for damage to your vehicle from an accident. Comprehensive coverage covers a range of other incidents that might cause you to need repairs, such as if you’re robbed at gunpoint or have your windows smashed out.
If you didn’t select this type of coverage, you’ll likely have to pay for repairs out of pocket if your car is damaged in a hurricane or other storm. Let’s take a closer look at how comprehensive and collision coverages help cover hurricane damage.
If you want to learn more about what car insurance covers, here is a guide for everything you need to know.
Does My Car Insurance Cover Weather Damage?
It’s important to note that comprehensive and collision coverages may only apply if the storm damage was a direct result of a natural disaster. If you hit an object while driving and cause damage to your vehicle, then comprehensive and collision may not cover it.
If you want coverage for this type of incident, you will likely need liability, personal injury and uninsured motorist coverage. These coverage types help pay for damage to your car if you hit something or someone, which can be another detail to consider when purchasing car insurance.
What Kinds of Storm Damage Can Be Covered?
Most policies provide coverage for windstorms, floods and hail damage. This can include damaged or missing parts of your car as well as water damage from water getting into your electric system.
If your car has electrical problems and your garage floods, for example, your policy may cover your expenses if the repair is more than the car’s actual cash value.
What If I Don’t Have Comprehensive and Collision Coverage?
If you don’t have comprehensive and collision coverages, you’ll have to pay for repairs out of pocket. Covering these costs can be expensive and you may have to pay for damages in other ways, such as taking out a loan.
Luckily, if you don’t have comprehensive collision insurance, your basic liability coverage will help pay for costs that result from damages to your vehicle.
What to Do If Your Vehicle Gets Storm Damage
Since hurricanes and other storms can be devastating, you may want to contact your insurance company before you make any repairs. You may need to assess the damage to your vehicle and wait for an adjuster to come out to your property to provide an estimate on what you’ll need to pay for repairs.
In most cases, you will have to pay for the repairs out of pocket until you’re reimbursed. And once your insurance company provides you with an estimate, you may have to wait a while to receive your money.
That said, make sure you repair your vehicle as soon as you can. If you’re waiting to get reimbursement, you’ll want to keep your car running and safe.
Conclusion
Before you purchase an insurance plan, you should understand all the details and what protections they provide. Check whether they cover weather or other incidents.
To learn more about this type of coverage, talk to a Gold Coast insurance specialist. At New Wave Insurance, we aim to help you get the insurance that fits your lifestyle the best. Contact us today to learn more.