Have you ever wondered if your car insurance covers damages caused by lightning strikes? If not, you’re not alone. Most car owners don’t think about the possibility of their vehicle being struck by lightning, but it does happen. In fact, according to the National Weather Service, there are around 20 million cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in the United States each year. So, it’s important to know whether your car insurance policy covers lightning damage or not.
Does Car Insurance Cover Lightning Damage?
The answer to this question depends on the type of car insurance policy you have. If you have comprehensive coverage, then you’ll be covered for damages caused by lightning. Comprehensive coverage is an optional add-on to your car insurance policy that covers damages caused by things like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters like hurricanes and tornadoes. It’s important to note that comprehensive coverage is not included in your standard liability or collision coverage.
If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, then your car insurance policy won’t cover damages caused by lightning strikes. So, if you live in an area that’s prone to lightning strikes, you may want to consider adding comprehensive coverage to your policy.
What Does Comprehensive Coverage Cover?
Comprehensive coverage is designed to protect you from damages that are not caused by a collision with another car. Here are some examples of what comprehensive coverage typically covers:
- Damage from natural disasters like hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes
- Damages caused by falling objects like trees or rocks
- Damages caused by theft, vandalism, or arson
- Damages caused by hitting an animal like a deer or a moose
- Damages caused by civil disturbances like riots or protests
- Damages caused by fire, explosions, or other unusual events
It’s important to note that comprehensive coverage does not cover damages caused by a collision with another car. For that, you’ll need collision coverage, which is also an optional add-on to your car insurance policy.
How Do I File a Claim for Lightning Damage?
If your car is struck by lightning, the first thing you should do is assess the damage. If the damage is severe, call your insurance company right away and file a claim. Your insurance company will ask you to provide them with some basic information about the incident, including the date and time of the strike, the location of the strike, and any photos or videos you have of the damage.
Your insurance company will then send an adjuster to assess the damage to your car. The adjuster will inspect your vehicle and determine the cost of repairs. Once the adjuster has completed their assessment, your insurance company will provide you with a settlement offer for the damages. If you accept the offer, your insurance company will pay for the repairs or replacement of your car.
How Can I Prevent Lightning Damage?
While you can’t completely prevent lightning strikes, there are some steps you can take to reduce the risk of damage to your car:
- Avoid parking your car under trees during thunderstorms
- Avoid parking your car near tall metal objects like light poles, fences, or power lines
- Consider installing a lightning rod on your property to divert lightning strikes away from your car
- Unplug any electronic devices in your car during thunderstorms to reduce the risk of damage from power surges
Conclusion
If you live in an area that’s prone to lightning strikes, it’s important to know whether your car insurance policy covers damages caused by lightning. If you have comprehensive coverage, then you’ll be covered for damages caused by lightning strikes. If not, you may want to consider adding comprehensive coverage to your policy. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to protecting your car from unforeseen events like lightning strikes.
