A tornado is one of nature’s most destructive natural disasters that cause serious harm to properties, including cars. For car owners, it is important to understand whether their insurance will cover damage to their vehicle caused by a tornado.
While many people believe that standard auto insurance policies will cover everything, the applicability of coverage can differ based on the policy details and the type of coverage the policyholder has.
Does Car Insurance Cover Tornado Damage?
If your car suffers damage caused by a tornado, your insurance policy may cover it if you have comprehensive insurance. If your car insurance policy does not include comprehensive insurance, it won’t cover the damage incurred from the incident. In this situation, you will be liable to pay out of pocket the cost of repairing or replacing any damaged part of your vehicle.
In most states, drivers are typically required to have the minimum amount of liability insurance in order to be able to drive their cars freely on the road. But liability insurance will not offer coverage for repair costs if your car was damaged by a tornado. The only auto insurance coverage that is most likely to cover tornado damage is comprehensive insurance.
Types of Tornado Damage Covered By Comprehensive Insurance
Most tornado accidents often result in severe damage that can even total your vehicle. If you carry comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, highlighted below are examples of tornado damage that are covered:
- Electrical damage
- Falling tree limbs
- Damage caused by downed power lines
- Flooding
- Flying debris
- Hail damage
- Lightning
- Total loss of car
- Fire damage
Will My Car Insurance Rate Increase If I File A Tornado Claim?
Your car insurance rates may go up if you file a tornado claim, but this will mostly depend on the policies of your insurer as well as your overall claim history. Regardless of the reason for filing a claim, insurance companies often see many claims as a sign of greater risk, which could adversely lead to higher premiums at the time of policy renewal.
Notwithstanding, if this is your first claim and you have a spotless driving record, certain insurers might handle claims relating to natural disasters differently. To find out how a tornado claim might specifically affect your premiums, it’s critical to review your policy and discuss with your insurance provider the potential impact of tornado damage on your insurance premium.
How to File a Tornado Damage Claim
Unfortunately, there are certain situations that can be beyond human control, one of which is natural disasters. If your car got damaged by a tornado and you carry comprehensive insurance, you should file a claim with your insurance company as soon as possible. However, before filing a claim with your insurer, ensure you take photos and videos of the scene. This would serve as proof to support your claim for the damage incurred to your vehicle.
When you have enough documentation about the tornado damage, you can file a claim to get the coverage you need. Most insurance companies allow you to easily file a claim online, via phone call, or through their mobile app. Select the one that works faster for you and file the claim immediately.
As soon as you have filed the claim, keep track of it and be patient for your insurer to reach out to you about the status of the claim. You can as well reach out to a repair shop to provide you with an estimate of the cost of repair for the damage incurred. This would ultimately help to expedite the claim process for you and the insurer.
What to Do If You See a Tornado While Driving
If you encounter a tornado while driving, these are safety measures you should take:
- Avoid driving in the direction of the tornado.
- Seek shelter in a safe location immediately.
- Get out the vehicle.
- Lie flat in a low area.
- Cover your head and neck with a blanket to prevent debris from falling on you.
- Stay informed about the condition from the radio or any other app.
- Wait for the storm to pass.
Before you resume driving, endeavor to assess the weather condition of the road to be sure the coast is clear. Most importantly, report any injuries or damage to the police for assistance, and then you can now reach out to your insurance provider.
FAQS
What happens if my car gets damaged by a tornado?
If your car was damaged by a tornado and you have comprehensive insurance, be rest assured to receive the coverage for the cost of repair or replacement of damaged parts. Your insurer will give you a specific amount of money based on the current market value of your vehicle, excluding the deductibles you are to pay.
Do insurance companies cover weather-related damage?
Typically, most insurance companies provide coverage for weather-related issues as long as the policyholder is carrying comprehensive coverage on their car insurance.
Most importantly, the exact weather-related damage must be listed in your policy before you can get coverage. You can seek clarification from your insurer or insurance agent on whether your policy covers certain weather-related damage.
What if my car is a total loss due to tornado damage?
In the event that your car was completely destroyed or damaged by a tornado, your comprehensive coverage will pay for the actual cash value of the car, excluding the deductible you are to pay.
