Oh No, My Car is on Fire! What kind of insurance covers this? Does Comprehensive, Collision or Liability cover a car fire?

This is actually my car fire. It caught fire a couple of days before Thanksgiving this year. As I watched the car flames get higher waiting for the fire truck I began to get concerned about the dry grass where the car was parked. Huge liability thoughts passed through my mind. If this grass catches on fire because of my car fire it might burn a nearby house down! I could be responsible for damage to that home in addition to the damage to my car. Thankfully the car fire did not cause the grass did not catch fire. As an insurance agent I knew the car was covered and the insurance company would cover this loss. Is a car fire covered by your policy? What is the coverage called?

Comprehensive Insurance (Auto Insurance)

The answer is Comprehensive insurance(or sometimes called “other than collision”). Comprehensive Insurance provides coverage for any direct and accidental loss of, or damage to, your covered automobile and its normal equipment, to include but not limited to car fire, theft or malicious mischief, hail damage, wind damage hitting an animal (like a deer), and glass (in South Carolina the glass deductible is waived).

There is typically a deductible with this coverage. In other words in the event of a comprehensive claim covered by the insurance company they would pay for the amount of damages minus the deductible. The deductible is typically $250 or $500.

The words “comprehensive insurance” when combined with “collision insurance” has been debated as to mean “everything” or “full coverage”. Full coverage means everything is covered. This is actually not the case. There are limits or exclusions with this coverage. Review your policy for the exclusions. Watch for our next blog where we will talk about collision coverage and what it covers. If you need assistance reviewing your policy and coverage contact us.

Have any questions? Feel free to email me at: doug@selectsourceinsurance.com

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