The last several weeks have seen unprecedented rioting after the horrible death of African American George Floyd at the hands of police. Protesters have taken to the streets and set numerous buildings ablaze and caused millions of dollars in damage, across cities throughout the country.
Automobiles we’re not left untouched in this civil unrest. Thousands and thousands of vehicles were damaged over the past two weeks. Nightly news reports showed cars being tipped over, burned and vandalized on a nightly basis. Many innocent people, some of whom supported the protesters, had their vehicles completely totaled as a result of rioter’s actions. The question many people ask is, does my car insurance policy cover damages from rioters?
This is a great question and one that almost no one thinks of when they buy automobile insurance. We asked leading online insurance marketplace DirectAutoInsurance.org this unusual question. The answer they gave depends on the type of policy that you have. A simple state minimum liability insurance policy, will in almost every case, not cover damage from rioters.
These minimum types of policies are intended to only cover damages to other people’s property and do not cover any damage done to your vehicle.
If you have a minimum liability coverage policy you might not be able to make any claim and your only bet would be to sue the rioters if you have evidence of who the rioters were. This could lead to a financial judgment in your favor, but even then, it might be hard to impossible to collect any money.
Most Comprehensive Auto Insurance Plans Cover Riots
If you have a comprehensive auto Insurance policy, there’s a very good chance that your vehicle will be covered. Most new and newer types of vehicles have comprehensive insurance and most lending companies and leasing firms require comprehensive vehicle coverage, in order to protect the asset. While this type of insurance is more expensive, it offers much broader coverage. It even covers things that most people would never imagine such as riot damage. We have all seen those Farmers commercials where the older man states “we’ve seen it all.” In the past two weeks, no-one has seen so much riot damage done to vehicles nationwide.
What do you do if Your Vehicle is Damaged in a Riot?
The first thing you need to do is assess the damage. Walk around your vehicle and assess the damage. Also, check under your car for any hidden damage you can’t easily see. Even though it’s difficult, try to stay calm and level-headed. The damage has already been done and there’s nothing you can about it other than try and get it resolved as quickly as possible.
Next, take several pictures of all sides of your vehicle, and if you have a smartphone, take video footage of all the different damaged areas. The next thing you can do is contact your insurer and file a claim. You will be asked multiple questions that you need to answer carefully such as where did the incident happen, where was your car pared, did you file a police report, and did you get photos of the rioters? Filing a claim will take a long time and you need to answer each question carefully and always tell the entire truth.
After your claim is filed you will need to get a vehicle repair estimate from a reputable shop. If your automobile is totaled, work with your insurer to find out the fair value market of your vehicle and try and process the claim as soon as possible, so you can get a replacement car.
One thing that will cost a person that has comprehensive insurance is the out-of-pocket deductible charge. Many people have deductibles ranging from $250 to over $1,000. While it might not seem fair that your vehicle was targeted in a riot, the unfortunate truth is you will still have to pay for the deductible in order for your claim to be processed.
The next question many people have is will it raise my insurance rates? This is a great question that has no real easy answer. It really depends on the insurer and how they view the claim that was filed. The honest answer is if you live in a dangerous area that might be prone to future unrest and riots, your insurer might indeed raise your rates 5 % 10% or even more. If this happens to you, it might be smart to start looking around for $20 down payment car insurance company.
Check Direct Auto Insurance Rates Online
Today, it’s easier than ever to compare quotes using a smartphone and only about 5 minutes. Comparing side-by-side rates is an easy wat to lower your premiums. The next time you get auto insurance, think about checking to see if your plan covers riots. You never know when civil unrest will affect you. Stay covered and protect the assets you have.