Does auto insurance cover damage done by a shopping cart?
Auto insurance will cover damage done by a shopping cart if you have full coverage. Insurance covers shopping cart damage the same way as a hit and run accident where there is no other driver to take financial responsibility, which is generally with collision coverage. Since you will have to pay your deductible, filing a claim with auto insurance for shopping cart damage may not be worthwhile.
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Laura D. Adams
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Laura Adams is one of the nation’s leading finance, insurance, and small business authorities. As an award-winning author, spokesperson, and host of the top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, millions of readers and listeners benefit from her practical advice. Her mission is to empower consumers to live healthy and rich lives by planning for the future and making smart money decisions. She rec...
Insurance & Finance Analyst
UPDATED: Jun 24, 2024
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Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jun 24, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
So a shopping cart hit your parked car. There’s visible damage, and you don’t know what to do. Does auto insurance cover damage done by a shopping cart? Understanding auto insurance and how it works in these situations can be confusing. We’re here to help.
The good news is that auto insurance does cover you in this case, as long as you have the right coverage. Shopping cart damage is usually covered by collision coverage, which is one of the main parts of a full coverage policy.
If you’re looking to buy auto insurance that covers damage done by a shopping cart, compare rates today. Enter your ZIP code to start now.
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Is filing a claim for shopping cart damage worth it?
Unless someone threw a shopping cart through your windshield, it’s unlikely that a shopping cart did major, devastating damage to your vehicle.
Read more:
- Does my auto insurance cover damage to my windshield?
- Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a runaway vehicle?
Sure, you could file an insurance claim. However, in many cases, the damage to your vehicle isn’t extensive, which means the auto insurance deductible for your insurance claim will be higher than your repair cost. In that situation, it’s in your best interest to pay the repair bill out of pocket. Save your insurance claim for a more expensive event – like a collision with another vehicle.
When considering whether or not to file a claim for your shopping cart incident, bear in mind that you’re saving more than just your deductible: you can also save a considerable amount of money off the long-term cost of insurance.
That’s because with this type of claim there’s no named individual at fault. It involves a liable loss, which means the claim counts against you both with your current insurer and with any future insurers (it will show up in a vehicle report called the Comprehensive Loss Underwriters Exchange report, or CLUE report).
This report shows a list of liability claims you have filed over the past 7 years. Insurance companies use this report to determine your rates. It could even be the difference between deciding whether or not you’re insurable at all.
Ultimately, all of this adds up to a simple conclusion: it’s rarely in your best interest to file an insurance claim over a small incident. Avoiding insurance is almost always your best long-term financial option – and yes, I realize it’s frustrating to pay for shopping cart damage repairs out of pocket.
Read more: Does my auto insurance cover damage to my car if I hit a parked car?
Does auto insurance cover shopping cart damage? The Bottom Line
Ultimately, shopping cart incidents are typically covered under collision insurance – regardless of whether someone let the shopping cart hit your car, it rolled into your car, or some other incident took place. It’s a collision without another party to take responsibility, and your collision coverage will pay for the damage. In some cases, it may be considered a comprehensive claim.
However, it’s not always in your best interest to file an insurance claim. The damage to your vehicle is typically minor. It may cost less to repair your vehicle than you’d pay on your deductible. For that reason, make sure you weigh the pros and cons of filing a claim. In most cases, paying out of pocket is the best option for minor damages.
To compare rates on auto insurance policies that cover shopping cart damage, enter your ZIP code now.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does auto insurance cover damage done by a shopping cart?
Auto insurance will cover damage done by a shopping cart if you have full coverage. Insurance covers shopping cart damage the same way as a hit and run accident where there is no other driver to take financial responsibility, which is generally with collision coverage. Since you will have to pay your deductible, filing a claim with auto insurance for shopping cart damage may not be worthwhile.
What auto insurance coverage pays for shopping cart damage?
If you have collision insurance, then any damage caused by a shopping cart will likely be covered. Collision coverage is designed to cover situations like shopping cart damage, where there is no other driver to be held liable. However, comprehensive coverage may also cover shopping cart damage if it falls under vandalism or weather-related damage.
Is filing a claim for shopping cart damage worth it?
Unless the shopping cart caused major, devastating damage to your vehicle, filing an insurance claim may not be worth it. In many cases, the cost of the repairs may be lower than your insurance deductible, making it more cost-effective to pay for the repairs out of pocket. Additionally, filing a claim for shopping cart damage can affect your future insurance rates and insurability.
Is the retailer responsible for shopping cart damage?
In most cases, retailers and businesses cannot be held responsible for shopping cart damage to your vehicle. Laws in most states prevent retailers from being accountable for the actions of customers and the damage caused by shopping carts. However, some businesses may choose to fix parking lot vehicle damage as a courtesy.
What happens if someone intentionally damages my vehicle with a shopping cart?
If someone intentionally damages your vehicle with a shopping cart, you may have a case for a lawsuit related to property damage. However, these situations are rare, and most shopping cart incidents involve carts that were left unattended and rolled into your vehicle accidentally.
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Laura D. Adams
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Laura Adams is one of the nation’s leading finance, insurance, and small business authorities. As an award-winning author, spokesperson, and host of the top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, millions of readers and listeners benefit from her practical advice. Her mission is to empower consumers to live healthy and rich lives by planning for the future and making smart money decisions. She rec...
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.