It’s officially hurricane season, which means it’s time to think about protecting your property for when a hurricane inevitably hits our state. While you can board up your home’s windows and protect your family, your car is still vulnerable if it’s parked outside during a storm.
While your homeowners insurance covers any storm damage to your home, does your car insurance also cover damage caused by a storm? The answer is that it depends on what type of coverage you currently have!
Basic coverage typically does not cover storm damage. For storm coverage for automobiles, you’ll need to buy comprehensive car insurance. Because navigating the car insurance world isn’t always easy, we’ve put together this post to help you understand the basic things you need to know about storm damage and your car.
What does comprehensive insurance cover?
Whereas collision insurance only protects you in the event of an accident, comprehensive insurance covers pretty much anything you can think of. Everything from falling debris to strong winds and even water damage is covered when you opt for comprehensive car insurance coverage.
Is paying for comprehensive insurance worth it?
It’s true that comprehensive insurance is more expensive than the Florida state minimum. However, it can be worth the extra price if you live near the coast, where storm damage is more likely to affect your vehicle.
You should also consider your vehicle’s age if you’re thinking about purchasing storm coverage for automobiles. Comprehensive insurance will not pay more than the cash value of your vehicle. So, if you drive an old beater, paying extra for insurance might not be worth it.
We recommend talking to our professionals at Affordable Car Insurance Tampa to see if upgrading to comprehensive insurance is a good idea for your situation.
Will my premium go up if I file a claim?
Unfortunately, your premium might go up if you file a comprehensive claim due to storm damage. The good news is that this increase isn’t as high as it would be if you file a claim after a collision. The claim will be removed from your record after three to five years, and your premium will return to its original rate.
What should you do if your car is damaged in a storm?
Dealing with a storm-damaged vehicle is more than just a matter of contacting your insurance company to file a claim. Once the storm has passed, head outside and take plenty of pictures of your car. Whether the damage is inside or out, your insurance company will find it beneficial if you have plenty of documentation.
Keep in mind that there may be downed power lines near your vehicle, so approach with caution and be careful while walking around your car.
Contact our team to get affordable comprehensive insurance!
If you need comprehensive car insurance coverage but can’t afford to pay a fortune each month, call our team at Affordable Car Insurance Tampa. We can find a plan to fit within your budget in 10 minutes or less!
