Will auto insurance pay for road debris damage?

Safe driving requires all of our attention, and road debris is just one more thing drivers have to look out for. But what happens when that debris damages your vehicle?

Will auto insurance pay for road debris? Who is responsible for road debris damage? 

Fortunately, your collision and comprehensive coverage should pay out for car damage from road debris. Read our insurance guide now to learn more about when car insurance pays for road debris and what to do if you hit road debris while driving.

Ready to buy auto insurance to pay for road debris damage? Enter your ZIP code above to start comparing affordable car insurance quotes from local companies for free.

Is hitting road debris covered under comprehensive coverage?

Yes, depending on the type of road debris you hit, either your comprehensive or your collision coverage will kick in to pay for damages. 

What does comprehensive insurance cover on a car? Typically, damage caused by flying debris is covered by comprehensive insurance. Your comprehensive policy also covers damages caused by vandals and acts of nature.

Hitting debris sitting or lying in the road involves filing a claim on your collision insurance. Unfortunately, most insurance companies consider hazards lying in the road to be avoidable and may deny your collision claim.

Read more: Does Auto Insurance cover damage from vandalism?

Who is responsible for road debris damage?

An important insurance rule of thumb to remember regarding road debris is that flying road hazards are considered unavoidable and will almost always be covered by comprehensive insurance coverage as long as it meets your deductible. 

But road debris insurance claims may be denied if you hit an object lying in the road. In that case, the driver is responsible for road debris damage and will have to pay for repairs out of pocket. (read our “What should I do if I was denied Auto Insurance coverage?” for more information)

There are a few exceptions where a third party can be held responsible for road debris damage, including:

• Construction companies that improperly place traffic cones or signs
• State and federal transportation entities responsible for road maintenance
• Delivery and trucking companies with unsecured cargo
• Car manufacturers when parts detach from vehicles while driving

More exceptions exist, and your state’s road debris laws, as well as the unique circumstances of your collision, will influence your traffic hazard insurance claim.

If you’re unsure who is responsible for road debris damage in your case, it’s in your best interest to contact an insurance lawyer to learn your rights. Prepaid legal insurance can help cover legal costs and fees.

How much will my auto insurance rates increase after a road debris claim?

If you’re at fault for hitting road debris, you can expect your car insurance rates to go up after making a claim. Rate increases differ by by insurance carrier, and providers look at the type of claim made, your insurance claim history, and your driving record at the time of the claim when determining rates. 

Take a look at the table below to see how much you can expect your rates to increase after a road debris accident with different providers. 

Car Insurance Rate Increase After an Accident

Where you live can also impact how much your rates go up, so it’s important to shop around with multiple companies to find affordable auto insurance to pay for road debris.

What should I do if I hit road debris?

According to most insurance companies, you should swerve to avoid hitting road debris. Unfortunately, more than a third of deaths caused by road debris accidents resulted from drivers swerving to avoid hitting an object in the road. 

Loss of life isn’t worth reduced insurance premiums, so it’s important to drive defensively and avoid the urge to swerve when it comes to road hazards. If you hit road debris, get off of the road as soon as possible to protect yourself and other drivers on the road. 

If you’re injured, call emergency services as soon as possible.

If damage is minor and you aren’t injured, get out of the vehicle and take photos of your car and the object that you hit as part of your insurance claim. These photos can come in handy if a third party can be held responsible for the road debris damage caused to your vehicle.

After you hit a road hazard, determine the cost of the damages before you decide to make a claim. If repairs are minor, it may not meet your deductible and therefore there’s no reason to file a claim. 

On the other hand, even if repairs are more expensive, you may not want to file a claim if you can afford it out of pocket. Filing a claim for road debris can raise your monthly insurance rates, and paying upfront for repairs may end up saving you more money in the long run. 

The easiest way to save money on auto insurance that pays for road debris is to shop around with multiple companies. Enter your ZIP code below to start comparing quotes from local companies for free.

Case Studies: Auto Insurance Coverage for Road Debris Damage

Case Study 1: The Comprehensive Coverage Savior

Case Study 2: The Limited Liability Letdown

While driving, Sara’s car was hit by a rock kicked up by a truck, causing a significant crack in her windshield. She filed a claim with her insurance company but learned that her policy only had basic liability coverage, which did not cover road debris damage. Consequently, Sara had to cover the expenses for repairing her windshield herself.

Case Study 3: The Add-On Assistance

Michael had recently purchased a new car and decided to invest in additional coverage options to safeguard his vehicle comprehensively. He chose to add comprehensive coverage, along with an optional rider for road debris damage, to his auto insurance policy. One day, while driving, Michael encountered a loose tire on the road that caused considerable damage to his car’s undercarriage.

Thankfully, his comprehensive coverage, coupled with the specific road debris rider, allowed him to submit a claim and receive reimbursement for the repair costs.

Case Study 4: The Policy Perplexity

Lisa was driving on a rural road when a large metal object fell off a truck in front of her, leading to severe damage to her car’s engine. She assumed that her comprehensive coverage would cover the expenses, but upon reviewing her policy, she found a provision excluding coverage for damages caused by falling objects.

Lisa’s insurance company informed her that, unfortunately, the damage resulting from road debris, in this case, would not be covered. As a result, she had to shoulder the repair costs herself.

Case Study 5: The Deductible Dilemma

Mark, an experienced driver, was cruising on the highway when a loose tire rolled into his car, causing significant damage to the side panel. Mark’s auto insurance policy included comprehensive coverage, which covered road debris damage. However, since he had a high deductible, he would need to pay a substantial amount out of pocket before the insurance coverage would kick in.

Mark decided to bear the repair costs himself, considering the deductible was higher than the cost of the repairs.