Does my car insurance cover damage caused by a lightning strike?

When severe weather hits your area, and a cloud-to-ground lightning strike may damage your car, you may count yourself unlucky. But first, you may want to know how to pay for the damages and wonder if you can turn to car insurance coverage for help.

So, does car insurance cover damage caused by a lightning strike? We understand you are uncertain and worried following such an event, and we have answered these questions below.

Comprehensive Car Insurance May Cover Lightning Strikes

You can only claim damage to your car from a lightning strike if you have comprehensive coverage. However, you may ask, “Does car insurance cover non-accident repairs?” And the answer is yes; this type of protection can cover various risks, including natural disasters and weather events.

However, you may need an add-on endorsement against natural disasters to be protected fully.

You may need to gather information and reports to back up your claim when you submit it and possibly need to pay a deductible first.

Proving That Lightning Damaged Your Vehicle for Insurance

A lightning strike may sometimes cause noticeable damage to your vehicle but not always. For example, it may leave scorch marks or peeled paint. It could also cause some of the windows to shatter or the tires to blow out, depending on the severity of the strike.

If the damage is apparent, you should gather information provided by local weather stations or even the National Weather Service to show that they were lightning storms in the vicinity at the time.

Often, a lightning strike can cause severe electrical issues, which can be very expensive to fix. So, if there is no outward damage but you suspect electrical failure, take the vehicle to a mechanic for advice. They can provide a report with their opinion, which you can submit to the insurance company with your claim.

Deductible Payments After a Lightning Strike

Comprehensive car insurance claims often have a deductible payment that you have to pay against the costs of the repairs. Therefore, you must assess the repair bill’s size against the deductible amount as you decide whether to claim.

High-Risk Areas Require the Right Insurance Against Lightning Strikes

Some parts of the country, like Florida, are especially vulnerable to severe storms but can occur anywhere, with the potential for lightning strikes.

It’s a good idea to talk with some of the best comprehensive car coverage insurance companies to consider this type of protection and find out if it’s an add-on or included protection in your comprehensive car insurance policy.

Liability Coverage Doesn’t Cover Lightning Strikes

The liability coverage you carry and that your state may mandate will not cover damage to your vehicle in this situation. However, it will protect third parties should you be in an accident and you were at fault.

If you’re unsure about the various levels of insurance coverage, you might want to invest in full coverage car insurance.

Case Studies: Car Insurance Coverage for Damage Caused by Lightning Strikes

Case Study 1: John’s Lightning Strike Claim

John experienced a severe lightning strike that damaged his car. Luckily, he had comprehensive coverage on his car insurance policy, which allowed him to file a claim for the lightning strike damage. To support his claim, John gathered evidence from local weather stations and the National Weather Service, showing that there were lightning storms in the area at the time.

He also took his car to a mechanic who provided a detailed report on the electrical issues caused by the lightning strike. Although John had to pay a deductible, his comprehensive coverage helped him cover the costs of the repairs.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Hidden Electrical Damage

Sarah’s car was struck by lightning, but she didn’t notice any immediate visible damage. However, she suspected that the electrical system might have been affected. To be sure, she took her car to a mechanic who confirmed the electrical failure caused by the lightning strike.

With the mechanic’s report and evidence of lightning storms in the area, Sarah filed a claim with her comprehensive car insurance. Despite not having outward damage, Sarah’s insurance company accepted her claim and covered the costs of repairing the electrical issues, after she paid the deductible.

Case Study 3: Mark’s High-Risk Area Coverage

Mark lives in a high-risk area prone to severe storms and lightning strikes. Understanding the potential risks, Mark made sure to have comprehensive coverage that specifically included protection against lightning strikes. When his car was struck by lightning, Mark was able to file a claim with confidence, knowing that his policy covered such damages.

He provided the necessary evidence, including a mechanic’s report and weather reports, and his insurance company covered the repair costs after deducting the agreed-upon deductible.

Use Comprehensive Car Insurance That Protects Against Lightning Strikes.

If you have comprehensive coverage on your policy, you can claim from your insurance company if a lightning strike causes damage to your vehicle. Remember, you will probably need to pay a deductible.

You may also need to provide some evidence of damage from a mechanic and weather reports showing lightning in the area.