Typically when we think of summer storms and the damage they can cause we think about our home or other outside structures. Summer storms can be dangerous for your auto as well. Many people do not think about the possibility that a bad summer storm could impact your auto insurance. One way that storm season can cause damage to your vehicle is hail damage. Last summer we saw a couple hail storms that left cars parked outside looking like golf balls. Hail damage is covered by your auto insurance under your comprehensive coverage. You would be responsible for you deductible and the insurance company would pay the rest to fix your car if this coverage is selected. What if you are driving and get caught in a bad rain storm or your car is parked during this storm. What if it is raining so hard that your car gets washed away and flooded? This coverage would again fall under your comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance. Typically comprehensive claims do not count against you and your insurance. Flooding isn’t the only problem that rain can cause. Rain can make driving visibility very low as well as make roads have less traction. Hitting another car or highway barrier due to rain can be more common during very heavy storms. This accident can be covered by your insurance as well; however, this claim would be under your collision coverage. A collision claim can see a surcharge on your auto insurance depending on the severity of the claim and other factors. Next time that a summer storm is approaching remember it is not just your car that you need to worry about. Not sure if you have the proper coverage to ride out summer storm season? Give us a call at 412-344-2800 or email us a mstraley@icpitt.com. Let us help you out and discuss with you, your insurance needs.
