We’ve finally thawed out after a long winter and have said goodbye to snow and ice for the foreseeable future. But spring and summer bring an entirely new menu of weather-related concerns. There’s never been a better time to make yourself familiar with potential damages and what is and isn’t covered by your auto insurance.
Hail is a truly fascinating weather phenomenon and one that needs no introduction. These supercooled water droplets can freeze and thrust pea to grapefruit-sized balls of ice flying terrifyingly from the sky. It should come as no surprise that hail can cause dents, broken windshields, and other damage to your exposed vehicles.
Thankfully, hail damage is typically covered by the “comprehensive” portion of your insurance policy. Keep in mind that if you have liability coverage only, hail damage to your vehicle will likely not be covered.
Flooding happens when more rain falls than the ground or existing bodies of water can handle in a short period, creating dangerous situations. For instance, the force of rapidly moving floodwaters can erode roads, potentially washing them away while vehicles are on them. Additionally, overflowing rivers, lakes, and streams, as well as coastal flooding, can inundate vehicles, causing significant damage to their interiors, electrical systems, transmissions, and engines.
Like hail damage, issues caused by flooding may be covered under your vehicle’s comprehensive policy provision. What likely won’t be covered is damage caused by driving through flooded areas or damage that resulted from leaving your windows open during the storm. Your insurance may also not offer coverage to aftermarket electronics, such as a sound system.
Summer storms are often ushered in by high winds, which can snap limbs and bring debris flying from out of nowhere. In some cases, trampolines, patio furniture, and other large (often unanchored) objects can land on top of your vehicle.
The comprehensive provision of your insurance policy is the key here as well, as it typically covers most wind damage issues. Keep in mind, however, that your insurance may not cover issues that were exacerbated by wind that existed before and were left unmaintained. For example, a windblown convertible top may not be covered if the fabric was already ripped and un-repaired prior to the storm.
Remember, not all insurance policies are alike. For specific insight into what your policy and premiums cover, contact your Cross Private Client representative today. Your agent can help you keep your assets covered so that you don’t spend your summer sulking over your weather worries.
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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.