If you are ever involved in an automobile accident, one way to minimize the stress and anxiety you suffer is to be familiar with your insurance coverage.
Comprehensive covers all direct and accidental loss to a covered auto or an auto damaged by an insured, including its equipment, which is not caused by collision or upset. Other motor vehicles or trailers may also be covered. Coverage usually includes damage from:
- contact with a bird or animal
- falling or flying objects
- theft or larceny
- fire
- windstorm
- hail, water or flood
- malicious mischief or vandalism
- riot or civil commotion
- breakage of glass
- explosion or earthquake
Glass breakage may be covered under Comprehensive, even if caused by a collision or upset. If the policyholder has a "chip" in the windshield and elects to have it repaired instead of replaced, the deductible may be waived.
Personal belongings
There may also be coverage for an insured's or relative's clothing or luggage which is damaged in the auto, due to a Comprehensive or Collision loss.
Theft
In case of theft of an insured auto the following items may be covered:
- Stolen clothing or luggage left in the auto
- Repayment of travel costs beginning 48 hours after the stolen auto is reported to the police and to your insurer. Travel costs can include car rental, train, bus, or taxi fares. Note maximum limits.
Disablement
If the auto is disabled as the result of a covered loss, your insurer may repay the insured for travel costs from the point of disablement to his/her destination. Maximum amounts may apply. This could include bus fare, taxi fare, etc.
Collision coverage provides protection for damage caused by collision or upset. Collisions include an auto hitting such things as:
- another vehicle
- an object (such as a telephone pole, fence, or building)
- a parked car.
Broken glass is usually covered under this section of the policy if there is no comprehensive coverage in force.
An optional coverage for additional premium.
Towing and labor charges may be covered if the insured vehicle is disabled. Situations that may be included here is disablement due to flat tires, frozen fuel line, accident, fire, flood, faulty electrical system, transmission problem, or any other mechanical problem. Only labor costs at the place where the vehicle is disabled would be covered. The cost of the faulty part probably would not be covered.
Example: If a covered auto must be towed due to a faulty fuel pump, the towing costs and labor (labor at the scene) are covered up to the limits stated on the Declarations Page. The cost of the replacement fuel pump and labor at the garage would not be covered.
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