Storms and Your Car: How Comprehensive Insurance Protects You

When you think of insuring your vehicle, you might consider liability and collision insurance the most important types of coverage. Most states require liability coverage that reimburses others for medical expenses and property damage caused by an accident you're at fault for, and collision insurance will pay for accident damage to your vehicle. However, another insurance type offers valuable benefits: comprehensive coverage.

Comprehensive insurance pays for damages you're not responsible for, including some types of storm damage and theft. It will pay for repairs or even replace your car up to its cash value. If you live in a storm-prone area or a place where auto theft is common, investing in comprehensive coverage may be well worth the cost.

What Types of Storm Damage Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover?

Comprehensive insurance typically covers any damage caused by a storm. Some of the types of storm-related damage your comprehensive policy may cover include:

• Hail damage
• Flooding
• Water damage
• Damage from falling trees or branches
• Wind-related claims

You might consider purchasing storm comprehensive car insurance if you live in a place where tornadoes, hurricanes, or thunderstorms are common. However, before investing in a policy, read the terms and conditions to understand exactly what weather-related storm damage it covers.

How Does Comprehensive Insurance Differ From Other Types of Car Insurance?

There are several different types of car insurance. The one you're most likely familiar with is liability coverage, which most states require vehicle owners to carry. Liability insurance pays for damages to other people's property and their medical expenses if you're responsible for an accident. 

Some states require you to carry personal injury protection, which pays for medical expenses related to a car accident, regardless of who is at fault. A personal injury protection policy covers you and any passengers in your vehicle.

If you finance your vehicle, your lender may require you to obtain collision insurance, which pays to repair or replace your automobile in case of an accident. Another coverage type is uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, which you can add to your policy. It protects you if an at-fault driver doesn't have enough auto insurance to repair your vehicle or pay for your medical expenses.

While liability, collision, personal injury protection, and uninsured motorist coverage pay for damages or medical expenses from an accident, they won't pay for repairs or replace your vehicle for non-accident related reasons, such as weather damage or theft. Comprehensive insurance pays for those types of claims. 

Why Is Comprehensive Insurance Important in Areas Prone to Severe Weather?

Some parts of the U.S. are known for having severe storms that often result in heavy property damage. For instance, Tornado Alley, which includes Great Plains states like Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, frequently experiences intense tornadoes and thunderstorms that arise very quickly. Those storms can cause significant wind and hail, damaging any vehicles in their path. 

In the Southeast, states along the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean may experience hurricanes. Like tornadoes, hurricanes may dump a significant amount of rain very quickly and carry heavy winds that can easily tear down branches and uproot trees. People who live on the coast may be vulnerable to heavy storm surges.

With storm damage car insurance, you know you're protected in the event of a severe tornado, hurricane, or thunderstorm. Your insurance company will pay to repair your vehicle. If it's a total loss, it will provide you with a replacement at the car's cash value. 

How Do You File a Comprehensive Insurance Claim for Storm Damage?

If a storm damages your car and you want to file a comprehensive insurance coverage claim, there are several steps to take.

1. Assess the Damage

Take a look at your vehicle. Some damage may be immediately visible, such as hail markings or damage from a fallen tree. You can also look inside the automobile for any interior evidence of damage, such as wet floor mats. 

Keep in mind that some damage may not be immediately apparent. For instance, if you drove the car through a flooded area or it was partially submerged in a hurricane, you may not know whether the storm damaged its internal components. In those cases, it's best to let an adjuster and mechanic take a look.

2. Note Details About the Storm

Document the day of the storm and what happened. Your insurer may already be aware of major storms, such as a hurricane or tornado, but they're less likely to know of a severe thunderstorm in the area. Write down anything that might be helpful to them, such as where your car was during the weather event or specifics you noticed, such as a strange smell in the vehicle.

If possible, take pictures and videos of vehicular damage from the storm. Pictures and videos help show the extent of the damage to your car.

3. Don't Drive the Vehicle

Even if your car appears drivable, there may be interior damage that a mechanic needs to assess — especially if the storm flooded your vehicle. Driving a damaged vehicle can cause additional issues and potentially put your safety at risk. Make sure to get it inspected before you get back on the road.

4. Contact Your Insurer

After gathering pictures and taking a general vehicle assessment, file a storm damage insurance claim with your insurer. Most insurers accept comprehensive claims online, or you may call them directly to start the process. Your insurer will inform you of the next steps, which will likely involve taking the car to an approved mechanic. 

If severe weather impacts a large area, there may be delays in the claims process. You may need to wait for an available mechanic or repair center to fix your vehicle.  

What Steps Can You Take To Minimize Storm Damage to Your Car?

Storms aren't always predictable. Some occur very quickly, giving you almost no time to prepare. However, if you have warning, take every opportunity to protect your vehicle. 

If you live in a low-lying area and expect heavy rain or wind, consider parking your car on the upper level of a parking garage. Since the vehicle is above ground level, it will be less susceptible to flooding. A parking garage also keeps it free of debris from fallen trees and branches. If you must park your car at home, place it at the top of your driveway and far from nearby trees, if possible.

During severe hurricanes and tropical storms, it may be safer to evacuate the area. Know your area's safest evacuation routes and leave well in advance to avoid getting caught in heavy traffic, which can increase the risk of vehicle collisions.

Once the storm starts, let it pass completely before attempting to drive again. If you're already on the road, pull over to avoid putting yourself and your car in unnecessary danger. During weaker storms, you may be able to continue driving, but take extra safety precautions to prevent an accident, like giving yourself additional space between yourself and the car in front of you.

After a storm ends, you may need to wait several hours or days until the roads are safe for driving again. Once you're behind the wheel again, look out for flooded roadways, icy streets, or storm debris. Leftover storm remnants can damage your vehicle or put you at risk for collision. 

Comprehensive Car Insurance Protects Your Car From Weather-Related Damage

Whether your lender requires it, you live in a storm-prone area, or you want an additional safeguard, comprehensive coverage offers valuable protection. With comprehensive insurance, your insurer may cover most storm-related claims, including hail, flooding, and wind-related damage. It may also pay for other non-collision-related claims, such as theft. 

If your car suffers damage in a storm and you have comprehensive coverage, document your evidence and file a claim as soon as possible with your insurance company. Your insurer will assist you in getting your car repaired and drivable again.