Louisiana motorists usually think about car accidents when they sign up for auto insurance. But what happens if someone decides to cause intentional harm to a vehicle? Depending on the circumstances and type of coverage, an insurance policy may or may not cover the damage.
What’s Covered?
Comprehensive auto insurance generally covers intentional vandalism committed by someone other than the vehicle’s owner. Likewise, you can make a claim if a criminal steals auto parts or damages your car in the process of breaking into it. After a crime occurs, be sure to protect the vehicle from weather damage and have it repaired quickly. Your policy might not cover rain damage caused by broken glass.
It’s essential to recognize that vandalism and theft-related damage aren’t covered if you only have basic liability or collision coverage. In addition to these criminal acts, comprehensive car insurance generally covers fires and some types of severe weather events. Your ability to file a claim may depend on the severity of the damage and the deductible amount that applies to your policy.
What’s Not Covered?
Usually, no type of car insurance covers intentional damage inflicted by a car’s owner, whether through vandalism or crashing the vehicle. In this situation, making a claim is also considered a form of fraud that could result in serious penalties. So, even if a car is frustratingly unreliable, hitting it with a sledgehammer or driving it into a tree is not the answer.
Soto Insurance Agency offers a variety of auto insurance options, including comprehensive plans with vandalism and theft coverage. Our independent agency has served the Covington, LA, area for more than a decade. We’ll take the time to help you find the ideal policy for your vehicle. To get started today, please call 985-900-2242 to contact Soto Insurance Agency.