Does insurance cover damage from road debris?

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It’s common to see debris on the road. Thankfully, most junk is usually off to the side. However, car parts, bits of the road, garbage and other waste can turn up in your driving lane – presenting a dangerous situation. 

More than 700 people are killed each year and 17,000 injured because of road objects, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

While the human cost is incalculable, hitting something in the road with your car has a material cost. The price to repair just a side panels on a car can range from $100 to more than $3,000, according to J.D. Power, the consumer insights, advisory and data analytics firm. 

Fortunately, certain types of car insurance cover debris damage and accidents that result from attempting to avoid hitting a mattress, lumber, piece of furniture or other road hazards.

What is debris damage?

Debris damage occurs when you hit something other than a vehicle, such as a piece of furniture, a tire, construction materials, or a part that fell off another car or truck.

Falling objects are another common form of road debris. For example, if a ladder falls out of a work truck you’re driving behind and hits your vehicle. Or, if roadwork leaves broken pieces of concrete behind, it can make its way into the road where you might hit it.

Understanding car insurance coverage for road debris damage

There are several types of car insurance that will cover road debris damage. If you have a full coverage insurance policy, your collision and/or comprehensive insurance will pay for the repairs. If you have a minimum coverage policy with liability-only insurance, your policy will not provide any coverage for debris damage.

Is hitting road debris covered under collision?

Collision insurance usually covers accidents with other cars. However, collision insurance will also cover road debris, even if the incident did not involve another vehicle. When your car comes into contact with road debris, it may be considered a collision for insurance purposes. For example, if you hit a mattress in the middle of the road, it’s a collision insurance claim because you collided with the object.

Is hitting road debris covered under comprehensive?

Comprehensive insurance is sometimes called “other-than-collision” insurance. It typically covers non-accidents incidents, such as theft, vandalism, flooding, and accidents with animals. However, comprehensive insurance may also cover debris damage, depending on the source of the debris. 

Is hitting road debris an at-fault accident?

In most cases, hitting road debris is considered an at-fault accident because objects in the road are generally thought to be avoidable. However, it all depends on the specific situation.

“For example, if an animal jumps into the road in front of you and you manage to miss it but crash into something like a neighbor’s mailbox, it is considered a collision and deemed your fault,” says Daniel Ferrara, a former senior sales rep for Liberty Mutual Insurance. “And, your rates can go up.” 

Earl Jones, a insurance agent for the Missouri Farm Bureau, says that hitting something in the road will more than likely be classified as an at-fault accident in most states, which could remain on your record for at least three to six years, depending on state laws.

“As a result, the accident could result in a rate increase of your insurance. But that increase can also depend on the insured’s driving record at the time of the accident,” Jones says. If that accident is counted against the driver, it can lead to the loss of home/auto discounts and even umbrella insurance coverage, he says.

Who is responsible for damage from road debris?

In general, the driver who hits road debris is responsible for the damage. If there is debris that is already loose on the road, there are no other drivers to blame. Depending on the situation and your insurance company, you could be held responsible, and your rate could increase after the claim.

On the other hand, if the accident resulted from a truck’s improperly secured load, you may be able to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance policy. In this case, the other person’s property damage liability insurance would cover your vehicle damage. Depending on their policy limits, your collision insurance might also cover some of the cost.

Because it can be difficult to prove fault in a road debris claim, having a dashboard camera can come in handy. The camera can capture the accident and get a better view of where the debris came from. If the debris came from a car or truck in front of you, the camera may also capture the license plate number, which can be helpful when filing a claim.

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Exclusions and limitations in road debris damage coverage

When reviewing your insurance policy, pay attention to any exclusions and limitations. There may be items listed as “exclusions” that your insurer won’t cover. 

The exclusions and limitations for road debris damage will depend on your specific car insurance policy. Some policies may have more coverage for road debris than others. Additionally, insurance companies may treat road debris damage claims differently.

As mentioned earlier, collision insurance and comprehensive insurance are the two types of car insurance that will cover debris claims. However, if you have a minimum coverage policy that only provides liability insurance, you’ll have to pay for damages out-of-pocket.

Filing a road debris insurance claim

If you need to file a claim for road debris damage, follow these steps: 

1. Document the damage: Before you contact your insurance company, you should document the damage to your vehicle. Take pictures and videos of the damaged areas, and write down exactly what happened. If you’re able to take photos at the scene of the incident, that will help the insurance company understand what happened and what type of debris was in the road.
2. Gather supporting documents: When filing a claim, you want to provide as much information as possible. If you have a police report or witness statement from someone who saw the incident occur, include those with your claim documents.
3. Submit claim paperwork: The next step is to contact your insurer and start the claim process. You can often file claims online. You also work with an agent over the phone. An agent will walk you through the claim reporting process and explain what information is needed. They can also give you an idea of how long it will take to investigate the claim.
4. Wait for claim approval: After the claim has been submitted, you’ll most likely have to wait for it to get approved. A claims adjuster might contact you if they need more information or have questions about what happened. Once the claim is approved, you will receive compensation for the damage or the insurance company will pay the auto body shop directly for the repairs, minus your deductible.

Final thoughts

Hitting road debris while driving can cause serious damage, but certain types of car insurance will cover the cost of repairs. You must have a full coverage policy with collision insurance and comprehensive insurance to get a claim paid.

Also, keep in mind that road debris damage claims are usually considered to be the driver’s fault. As a result, your car insurance premium can increase after a debris damage claim. If the damage is minor, you might consider paying for repairs out-of-pocket to avoid a rate increase.

–Kathryn Pomroy contributed to this report.

What our expert says

Q: If I hit an animal in the road will my rates go up?

Daniel FerraraOwner of Ferrara Insurance Group.

“If an animal jumps into the road in front of you and you manage to miss it but crash into something like a neighbor’s mailbox, it is considered a collision and deemed your fault. And, your rates can go up.”

Elizabeth Rivelli

Contributing Researcher

 

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Elizabeth Rivelli is an insurance expert and freelance writer specializing in insurance and personal finance. Her work has been featured in major outlets like Investopedia, CNET and Bankrate, where she helps readers make confident decisions about car insurance, coverage options and financial planning.