Is road debris covered by car insurance?
Does car insurance cover road debris? Yes, but only certain types. If you’re worried about road debris on your travels, you should consider comprehensive coverage. Hitting road debris is covered under comprehensive insurance, but making a claim can cause your rates to go up.
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Eric Stauffer
Licensed Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jul 5, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about car insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything car insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by car insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jul 5, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- If you have comprehensive coverage, your car is protected from road debris, as well as other bad weather and vandalism
- If you have liability-only, you’ll be on the hook for repairing any debris damage to your vehicle out-of-pocket
- Obtain information about the person who dropped the debris, including their license and insurance information, if possible
Road debris is one of the dangers of the road that every driver faces at one point or another. Even the most cautious drivers will eventually come across something on the road that shouldn’t be there.
Road debris is one of the most common causes of accidents. Road debris includes construction materials, furniture, broken car parts, and anything else that becomes loose during transit.
If you can’t avoid coming across road debris, you can prepare for the worst with the right insurance. While not every type of insurance will protect you against road debris, you can find a policy that does.
So, does car insurance cover road debris? While it does, you should shop around to find the best quotes. If you’re ready to see what quotes might look like for you, enter your ZIP code into our free tool to get started.
Does car insurance cover road debris?
AAA found that road debris is responsible for over 50,000 car accidents every year. Those are just the accidents reported to the police — the number of collisions with road debris is much higher.
Whether your car insurance will cover damage caused by road debris depends on your policy.
For example, comprehensive insurance covers you if you hit road debris. On the other hand, if you have liability-only, you’ll be responsible for any damage done to your car.
If you have comprehensive coverage, you should evaluate the damage done before you file a claim. If the damage is minor, such as a small ding or dent, it might be better to leave it unreported.
Comprehensive claims (or claims for things like road debris, bad weather, or vandalism) don’t make your car insurance rates go up as much as driving-related claims will, but it still affects your rate.
However, if your car has moderate or severe damage, you should report the incident. This includes scratches in your paint, which can lead to rusting. If you think your car is damaged, have it inspected. (For more information, read our “My Vehicle is Damaged. What do I do?“)
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What’s the difference between comprehensive, collision and liability coverage?
- Comprehensive coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle from other events, such as fire, glass damage, theft and animal collisions
- Collision coverage helps pay for damage to your vehicle from accidents related to driving, no matter who’s at fault.
- Liability coverage helps pay for the other person’s expenses if you cause an accident.
Who is responsible for road debris damage?
Unfortunately, it can be almost impossible to find the person who is responsible for road debris.
If you see something fall off a truck or car and get its license plate, you might be able to claim them as the responsible party for damage caused to your car. Even better, work trucks sometimes realize they’ve lost something and pull over, giving you the chance to collect their insurance information.
However, the most common situation for road debris is that you’ll have to go to your own insurance.
Read more: If I crash my motorcycle on debris left in the road, who pays?
What should you do if your car is damaged by road debris?
If your car is damaged by road debris, and you know that you will need repairs, the best information you can get is the responsible person’s information. Since that’s not always possible, you should do the following:
- Pull over somewhere safe. If anyone pulls over to help, ask if they saw anything and get their information if they did. They might act as a witness for you later.
- File a police report. If the damage is intensive enough that you want to make a claim, or if anyone in the car was injured, you should get the police involved, so there will be a permanent record.
- Contact your insurance agent. If you require advice or have questions about what information you need after an auto accident, your agent can tell you everything you need to know.
After you have the information you need, you can go about your day as long as your car is safe to drive. If it’s not, take your car to your favorite mechanic.
You don’t need to do it right away, but you should file your claim as soon as possible. The sooner you get your claim started, the sooner you’ll get the money you require for repairs.
If you’re worried about potential incidents involving road debris, you can invest in a dashcam. Drivers use dashcams all over the world to provide video evidence of what they experience on the road.
If you hit something, a dashcam can help figure out who pays for road debris damage.
Get Insurance to Protect Your Car From Road Debris
It’s an unfortunate truth of driving — you’ll eventually see something in the road that’s not supposed to be there. If you have comprehensive coverage, you’ll be protected from paying the total cost of repairs for damage done by road debris.
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The Bottom Line
When you’re buying insurance–or upping your coverage–you’ll want to pay specific attention to the types of physical damage coverage the policy offers.
Comprehensive physical damage coverage usually pays for damages from non-vehicle-related causes, like hitting a deer, a falling tree limb hitting your car, road debris damage, or even random vandalism.
If you find yourself worrying, “Does car insurance cover road debris?” you should consider comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive car insurance can be expensive, so it’s best to shop around for quotes. Enter your ZIP code into our free tool to see what quotes might look like for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does insurance cover damage from road debris?
Yes, car insurance cover damage from road debris if you have comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive insurance typically covers non-collision incidents like road debris damage.
Is hitting road debris covered under comprehensive?
Yes, road debris damage is covered under comprehensive insurance, which protects against non-collision-related damages
Does car insurance cover running over something?
Yes, car insurance can cover damage from running over something if you have comprehensive or collision coverage, depending on the specifics of the incident.
Does car insurance cover hitting something in the road?
Yes, car insurance will cover hitting something in the road under comprehensive or collision coverage.
Who is responsible for road debris damage in Florida?
In Florida, the driver who sustains damage from road debris is generally responsible for the damage, although comprehensive insurance can cover the repairs.
Does auto insurance cover road hazard damage?
Yes, auto insurance can cover road hazard damage under comprehensive or sometimes collision coverage.
Does car insurance cover road damage?
Car insurance can cover road damage if it is caused by road debris and you have comprehensive coverage.
Does comprehensive cover road debris?
Yes, comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by road debris.
What damage does car insurance cover?
Car insurance can cover a variety of damages depending on your policy. Liability coverage handles damages to others if you’re at fault, collision coverage pays for repairs to your car from accidents, and comprehensive coverage covers non-collision incidents like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
What does Progressive’s collision insurance cover?
Collision insurance with Progressive covers damage to your car resulting from collisions with another vehicle or object, regardless of who is at fault.
What does comprehensive car insurance cover?
Comprehensive car insurance covers damage to your vehicle from non-collision events such as theft, vandalism, natural disasters, falling objects, and road debris.
What does my car insurance cover?
Your car insurance coverage depends on your specific policy. Typically, it includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, as well as optional coverages like personal injury protection, uninsured motorist coverage, and more.
What does Progressive full coverage cover?
Progressive full coverage generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage. It may also include additional coverages such as personal injury protection, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and medical payments.
What happens if you hit a tree with your car?
If you hit a tree with your car, collision insurance will cover the damage to your vehicle. You will need to file a claim with your insurer and pay the deductible.
What happens if you hit the bottom of your car?
If you hit the bottom of your car and it results in damage, collision insurance will typically cover the repairs. If the damage is caused by road debris, comprehensive insurance might apply.
What happens when you hit debris on the highway?
When you hit debris on the highway, comprehensive insurance usually covers the damage. You should document the incident, take photos, and report it to your insurance company as soon as possible.
What if I hit my own car in the driveway?
If you hit your own car in the driveway, collision insurance will cover the damage to the car you were driving, and potentially the parked car, depending on your policy.
What is an unreported comprehensive claim?
An unreported comprehensive claim is a claim for damage covered under comprehensive insurance that has not been reported to the insurance company. It’s important to report all incidents to avoid issues with future claims.
What is comprehensive coverage with Progressive?
Comprehensive coverage with Progressive protects your car from non-collision events such as theft, vandalism, natural disasters, falling objects, and road debris.
What is road debris?
Road debris refers to any loose objects or materials on the roadway that can cause damage to vehicles, such as fallen branches, rocks, litter, or parts from other vehicles.
What to do if debris hits your car?
If debris hits your car, safely pull over and inspect the damage. Document the incident with photos and notes, then contact your insurance company to file a claim.
Will car insurance cover paint damage?
Car insurance can cover paint damage if it is caused by a covered event such as an accident (collision coverage) or vandalism (comprehensive coverage). Normal wear and tear or damage from lack of maintenance are not covered.
Who is responsible for road debris damage in California?
In California, responsibility for road debris damage typically falls on the driver who sustains the damage. However, if the debris can be traced back to a specific negligent party (such as an unsecured load), that party may be held liable. Comprehensive insurance can cover the repair costs.
Does car insurance cover vandalism?
Yes, car insurance can cover vandalism if you have comprehensive coverage as part of your policy. Comprehensive insurance typically includes protection against damage caused by vandalism.
Does car insurance cover weather-related accidents?
Yes, car insurance can cover weather-related accidents, but the specific coverage depends on the type of insurance you have. Comprehensive insurance covers damage caused by events such as hail, floods, and storms, while collision insurance covers accidents that occur while driving, regardless of the weather conditions.
Does comprehensive car insurance cover vandalism?
Yes, comprehensive car insurance covers vandalism. It protects your vehicle against damage not caused by a collision, including vandalism, theft, fire, and natural disasters.
Does comprehensive insurance cover paint damage?
Yes, comprehensive insurance can cover paint damage if it is caused by events like vandalism, falling objects, or weather-related incidents. However, it does not cover normal wear and tear or damage from poor maintenance.
Does comprehensive insurance cover scratches?
Yes, comprehensive insurance can cover scratches if they are the result of vandalism or other covered perils, such as falling objects or animal damage. Scratches caused by normal wear and tear or minor incidents may not be covered.
Does full coverage car insurance cover vandalism?
Yes, full coverage car insurance, which typically includes both comprehensive and collision coverage, will cover vandalism. Comprehensive coverage within the full policy specifically protects against vandalism and other non-collision-related damages.
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Eric Stauffer
Licensed Insurance Agent
Eric Stauffer is an insurance agent and banker-turned-consumer advocate. His priority is educating individuals and families about the different types of insurance coverage. He is passionate about helping consumers find the best coverage for their budgets and personal needs. Eric is the CEO of C Street Media, a full-service marketing firm and the co-founder of ProperCents.com, a financial educat...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about car insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything car insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by car insurance experts.