Auto Insurance: What If I Hit a...?

Auto insurance covers a variety of incidences that happen with your vehicle. Collisions happen every day and with a variety of objects, not just other vehicles. So what happens if you hit a vehicle? What happens if what you hit isn’t a vehicle? Read on to find out.

What if I hit a vehicle with my vehicle?
If you are involved in a vehicular collision that has been deemed your fault, your insurance will pay to fix the other persons vehicle with your liability insurance. Your liability insurance will also pay if there are any injuries in the collision to the other people and to you. If you have collision insurance on your vehicle, then your collision insurance will pay for your vehicle to be fixed, but you will be required to pay your deductible.

What if I hit a building with my vehicle?
If you hit a building, then your liability insurance will cover the damages to the building. Once again, your liability insurance will also pay if there are any injuries in the collision to the other people and to you. If you have collision insurance on your vehicle, then your collision insurance will pay for your vehicle to be fixed for the damages incurred when you hit the building, but you will be required to pay your deductible.

What if I hit an animal with my vehicle?
If you hit an animal with your vehicle, your comprehensive insurance will pay for the damages to your vehicle, and you will have to pay the deductible. If any property was damaged in the process other than your vehicle, such as a neighboring building, then your liability insurance would cover those damages. If you, or other people, are hurt in the collision with the animal, then your liability insurance would once again pay for the damages.

What if I hit a light pole with my vehicle?
The light pole would fall under the same category as a building; therefore your liability insurance would cover the damages to the building as well as any injuries as a result of the collision.

What if I hit a person with my vehicle?
If you hit a person with your vehicle, then your liability insurance would cover the damages and injuries to the person you hit with your vehicle. Your liability insurance would cover all the medical expenses and living expenses of the person while they recovered, or in the event of a fatality, would, in many cases, pay a death benefit to the family of the person who died as a result of the collision.

In essence, 90 per cent of the time that you hit something with your vehicle, your liability insurance pays for the damages and injuries caused to other people and their property. Your collision insurance only pays to fix or replace your vehicle in the event of a collision with another vehicle, building or person. If you hit an animal, then your vehicle is covered under your comprehensive insurance. It’s a good idea to have a fair amount of liability insurance in case of a major collision, to ensure that you are fully covered.