Car insurance covers damage caused by road debris, as long as you have the right coverage. Collision and comprehensive car insurance cover incidents with road debris.
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There is a lot of trash on the road. Most of it is avoidable, like flat tires and trash, but some of it can be dangerous. If you have the right kind of coverage, your auto insurance will pay to fix any damage to your car caused by road debris.
Lance Hildebrand, a traffic reporter for St. Louis radio station Y98, says, “Almost every rush hour, you’ll hear about something that fell off a truck or someone’s car.” Louis, Missouri.
“Debris on the road can be very dangerous, but all of these accidents could have been avoided,” says Jurek Grabowski, who is in charge of traffic safety research at the American Automobile Association. “Drivers can easily save lives and keep others from getting hurt by securing their loads and taking simple steps to keep things from falling off the vehicle.” ”.
Road debris is an inevitable reality of driving At some point, you’ll likely encounter an object on the road that could damage your car But does insurance cover damage from road debris?
The good news is, yes, your car insurance policy will usually pay for damage from road debris, as long as you have the right coverage.
In this comprehensive guide. we’ll explain
- What types of road debris are common
- If your car insurance covers damage from road debris
- Which coverages pay for road debris damage
- Who’s at fault for road debris accidents
- Tips to avoid road debris
- And more
Let’s dive in.
What Is Road Debris?
Road debris refers to any objects that end up on the roadway that weren’t supposed to be there. This includes:
- Litter like bottles, cans, food wrappers
- Parts of vehicles like tires, hubcaps, tailgates
- Cargo that fell off trucks like ladders, mattresses, pipes
- Dead animals
- Storm debris like tree branches
- Construction materials
- And more
Some road debris is harmless, like a plastic bag blowing across the road. But other debris can cause real damage.
Heavy items like ladders or appliances can smash your windshield. Parts with sharp edges like metal shards can puncture tires. And high-speed collisions with larger objects can total a car.
So while road debris may seem mundane, it pays to be vigilant.
Does Insurance Cover Damage From Road Debris?
The good news is, yes, your car insurance policy will typically cover damage from road debris accidents.
There are two main coverages that come into play:
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Collision insurance – Covers damage to your car when it collides with an object. This includes running over or into debris in the road.
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Comprehensive insurance – Covers damage from flying objects that hit your car. This includes road debris that flies up and strikes your vehicle.
So if you hit a mattress on the freeway, your collision insurance would pay for repairs. And if a rogue tire flew off a truck and cracked your windshield, comprehensive would cover that damage.
In both cases, you’d pay your deductible and your insurer would cover the rest (up to your coverage limits).
Having both collision and comprehensive insurance ensures you’re protected from all types of road debris accidents.
How Often Does Road Debris Cause Accidents?
Road debris might seem like a rare, freak occurrence. But it’s actually quite common.
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State transportation departments spend millions per year cleaning up road debris. Caltrans collects 270,000+ cubic yards annually – enough to fill 18,000 garbage trucks!
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AAA found that road debris caused over 200,000 car accidents from 2011 to 2014 – leading to approximately 39,000 injuries and 500 deaths.
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Certain debris is especially hazardous. Tire tread detachments cause over 10,000 accidents per year. Unsecured mattresses fall off trucks by the thousands.
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Holidays see a spike in debris. Christmas trees litter highways after the holidays. July 4th brings increased debris like fireworks on roads.
The bottom line? Road debris is common and dangerous. Staying alert and having proper insurance is key.
Who’s At Fault For Road Debris Accidents?
When it comes to fault and liability for road debris accidents, there are a few scenarios:
You hit loose debris – If you hit an object already on the road, it will likely be treated as an at-fault accident by your insurer. You’ll pay your collision deductible.
You drop an object – If you drop something from your car and it causes an accident, you can be held liable. Your liability insurance would cover damage/injuries you cause to others.
Another driver drops debris – If another motorist drops an unsecured load that damages your car, you may be able to claim against their liability insurance (with police report and evidence).
No one is present – If debris appears on the road with no responsible party around, it’s considered an unavoidable accident. Your own collision and comprehensive coverage would apply.
The key is that insurance still pays in most road debris claims – you just may have to pay your deductible unless the debris dropper is identified.
Tips To Avoid Road Debris Accidents
While road debris is often unavoidable, there are things you can do to avoid these accidents:
- Leave ample following distance so you have time to react.
- Scan farther down the road to spot debris early.
- Slow down as much as safely possible before impact.
- Hold the wheel firmly and avoid swerving, which can cause loss of control.
- Call 911 to report debris, staying safely in your car. Don’t try to remove it yourself.
- Make sure cargo in your own car is properly secured.
- Avoid distractions and give driving your full attention.
- Keep your windshield clean for maximum visibility.
Staying alert and following defensive driving tips can help avoid many road debris collisions. But when accidents do happen, insurance can provide peace of mind.
Is Hitting Road Debris Considered An At-Fault Accident?
As mentioned above, hitting loose debris in the road will typically be considered an at-fault accident by your insurance company. That means you’ll pay your collision deductible.
However, at-fault accidents caused by unavoidable road debris generally don’t count as a strike against you. They won’t raise your rates or jeopardize your insurability in most cases.
The exception would be if you clearly acted negligently – like texting while driving and not paying attention before a collision. But insurers understand that debris appears randomly on roads through no fault of your own.
So while you may have to pay your deductible, at-fault debris accidents shouldn’t negatively impact your policy or premiums.
What Should You Do After Hitting Road Debris?
If you collide with road debris, take these steps to ensure safety and follow proper insurance claim procedures:
- Try to safely pull off the road and out of traffic flow. Avoid stopping in hazardous spots.
- Turn on hazard lights and set road flares/triangles if available.
- Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt. Your medical payments coverage can help with immediate treatment.
- Take photos documenting damage and the accident scene if possible.
- If another vehicle dropped debris, try to get their plate number and description.
- Call police to file an accident report. This creates an official record.
- Report the claim to your insurer promptly. Provide details on what happened.
- Take your car to a shop to get a repair estimate. Your insurer will send an adjuster to inspect damage.
- Pay your deductible up front when you pick up the repaired car.
Following these steps ensures you get the coverage and compensation you’re entitled to after a road debris accident.
Who Has The Right Of Way With Road Debris?
When it comes to avoiding road debris, right of way rules don’t really apply since it’s an inanimate object.
The main priority is avoiding damage and injury. So if you have time to stop or safely swerve around debris, that’s recommended.
But if an obstacle suddenly appears in your path, don’t slam the brakes or swerve violently. Hold the wheel firmly and let your car collide in a controlled manner. This reduces the chance of a more serious single- or multi-vehicle accident.
Since road debris appears randomly, the right of way falls to defensive driving. Get yourself out of harm’s way if possible, but don’t endanger others in the process.
Key Takeaways
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Car insurance generally covers damage from road debris as long as you carry collision and comprehensive coverage.
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Pay attention and leave ample stopping distance to avoid debris. But don’t dangerously swerve if a collision seems inevitable.
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Hitting loose objects is usually considered an at-fault accident. But they typically don’t raise your insurance rates.
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Having police documentation and photographic evidence can help if another driver dropped debris. Their liability insurance may pay.
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Road debris causes thousands of accidents every year. Stay alert out there, but know that insurance can provide peace of mind if the unexpected happens.
In a nutshell, insurance has you covered in road debris collisions. Drive defensively, but rest easier knowing that if damage does occur, your provider will take care of the repairs so you can get back on the road safely.
Who is responsible for road debris damage?
If you were in an accident because the other driver’s load wasn’t properly secured, you may be able to file a road debris insurance claim against their liability insurance. Its important to file a police report after such an incident.
In such instances, a dashboard camera can come in handy. The accident and maybe even the license plate number of the car or truck that lost the object would be caught on camera. This, along with the police report, may help you to file a claim against the other driver.
However, in instances where the debris is already loose on the road, theres no one around to blame. Unfortunately, your insurance company might see this as an at-fault accident, but it depends on the circumstances.
If I hit something on the freeway will my insurance cover it?
Yes, as long as you have the correct car insurance coverage. Collision with an item on the road generally falls under collision coverage. You will have to pay your deductible.
Potholes, Road Debris, & Auto Insurance Tips!
FAQ
Does car insurance cover hitting an object?
Who is responsible for road debris damage in Georgia?
Does insurance cover space debris?
Is hitting a rock considered an accident?
Does car insurance cover road debris damage?
Car insurance will cover damage to your vehicle from striking something on the road, as long as you have the right coverage and it is over your deductible. Depending on the situation, it may be covered by either collision or comprehensive. Is road debris damage a collision or comprehensive claim?
Does collision insurance cover road debris?
Collision insurance usually covers accidents with other cars. However, collision insurance will also cover road debris, even if the incident did not involve another vehicle. When your car comes into contact with road debris, it may be considered a collision for insurance purposes.
Do you need road debris insurance?
If you have comprehensive coverage, you’ll be protected from paying the total cost of repairs for damage done by road debris. 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.
Does car insurance cover damage if you hit a road hazard?
Answer: Car insurance does cover the damage if you hit a road hazard and it damages your car. In the auto insurance industry, a road hazard can be anything in or on the surface of the road that’s dangerous to you as a driver and could cause you to have an accident.