As a driver, you may have found yourself in a situation where you accidentally hit a mailbox while driving. It can be quite stressful wondering whether your car insurance will cover the damage. In this article, we’ll discuss whether car insurance covers hitting a mailbox and what you should do if you find yourself in this situation.
Types of Car Insurance Coverage
Before we discuss whether car insurance covers hitting a mailbox, it’s important to understand the different types of car insurance coverage. The three main types of car insurance coverage are:
- Liability Coverage
- Collision Coverage
- Comprehensive Coverage
Liability coverage covers damages to other people and their property if you are found at fault in an accident. Collision coverage covers damages to your own vehicle if you are involved in an accident, regardless of who is at fault. Comprehensive coverage covers damages to your vehicle caused by non-collision events such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters.
Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Mailbox?
If you have collision coverage, hitting a mailbox would typically be covered by your car insurance. This is because collision coverage covers damages to your own vehicle caused by an accident, regardless of who is at fault. However, if you only have liability coverage, hitting a mailbox would not be covered.
It’s important to note that if you file a claim for hitting a mailbox, your car insurance rates may go up. This is because filing a claim is seen as a risk factor by insurance companies, and they may raise your rates accordingly.
What Should You Do If You Hit a Mailbox?
Regardless of whether you have car insurance coverage for hitting a mailbox, there are a few things you should do if you find yourself in this situation:
- Stop and assess the damage. If the mailbox is damaged, try to locate the owner and inform them of what happened.
- Take pictures of the damage to the mailbox and your vehicle.
- Contact your car insurance company to report the incident and find out if you have coverage for the damage.
- If you do have coverage, your insurance company will likely send an adjuster to assess the damage and determine the cost of repairs.
- If you don’t have coverage, you will need to pay for the cost of repairs out of pocket.
Conclusion
In summary, whether car insurance covers hitting a mailbox depends on the type of coverage you have. If you have collision coverage, hitting a mailbox would typically be covered. However, if you only have liability coverage, hitting a mailbox would not be covered. If you do hit a mailbox, make sure to stop and assess the damage, take pictures, and contact your car insurance company to find out if you have coverage for the damage.
