Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a lightning strike?
Repairs for lightning strike damage may be quite costly. If lightning causes damage when it hits your car or causes an accident, you may wonder — does auto insurance cover damage caused by a lightning strike? The answer will depend on the extent of your auto insurance coverage.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Dec 15, 2023
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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.
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: Dec 15, 2023
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
- Occupants of vehicles hit by lightning are safer from electrocution if they are not in contact with anything made of metal that connects them to the car body
- Auto insurance coverage that may apply includes comprehensive insurance for the damage to the vehicle, collision insurance if the lightning strike makes you crash into something, and liability insurance if you hit a person
- If the car is damaged when the lightning strikes but is not involved in an accident, you will need to have comprehensive insurance to make a damage claim
If lightning strikes a car, the electricity will seek the path with the least resistance to go to the ground.
Some of the electricity will traverse the automobile’s frame, and other parts of the electrical energy will flow through the electrical system. In modern vehicles with computers, the electronics will suffer damage and may become dysfunctional.
If you are driving when a lightning strike happens, you will usually end up with ringing in your ears from the loud sound. The crashing sound will be loud, and you may experience temporary blindness. When this happens, you can quickly lose sight of the road and perhaps drive into danger or cause a traffic accident.
Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a lightning strike? Determining if auto insurance covers damage caused by a lightning strike helps to understand answers to the question: what are the different types of auto insurance coverage?
Auto Insurance Coverage for Damage Caused by a Lightning Strike
The terms and conditions of each auto insurance policy may differ. For example, a claim for vehicle damage caused by a lightning strike is usually made under comprehensive insurance. If the lightning strike also causes an accident, then collision insurance may cover some damage and liability insurance.
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Types of Auto Insurance For Lightning Strike Damage
Here is a brief overview of the different types of insurance and what they might cover if lightning strikes your automobile.
Comprehensive Auto Insurance for Lightning Strikes
Comprehensive insurance covers various damage, including those caused by lightning strikes.
Liability Auto Insurance for Lightning Strikes
Most states legally require you to carry affordable liability auto insurance coverage.
When an accident is determined to be your fault, liability insurance covers damage (up to the policy limits) to people, their personal belongings, and property. However, it does not cover medical expenses for you or your passengers.
Suppose you are driving along when lightning strikes, and you swerve, causing a pedestrian to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. If this person is injured, that would be a claim against your liability insurance.
Read more: Does auto insurance cover hitting a pedestrian?
Collision Auto Insurance for Lightning Strikes
Collision insurance covers instances where you hit something. If the temporary blindness from the lightning strike causes you to crash into something, that will trigger your collision insurance coverage.
Auto Insurance Coverage for Lightning Strikes
Companies to check for price comparisons include Allstate, Progressive, State Farm, Geico, and Nationwide. You can then use the quotes to determine — how much auto insurance coverage do I need?
Be aware that you must pay the auto insurance deductible before the insurance company starts to pay the expenses that exceed your deductible. Also, be mindful that if you live in an area with frequent lightning strikes, your risk of having a significant repair expense is higher if you do not carry sufficient insurance coverage.
Lightning Strikes and an Inoperable Vehicle
Insurance companies compare the repair cost to the vehicle’s cash value. If the lightning destroys expensive computer systems in your car and the repairs are higher than the car is worth, it is considered “totaled.”
Under these circumstances, if you have comprehensive insurance to cover the damages, the claim is limited to the vehicle’s cash value, less the deductible.
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Ensure You’re Covered for Damage Caused by a Lightning Strike
In some parts of the country, lightning strikes are very common. Other types of bad weather, like hailstorms, tornados, or heavy rain, may also be frequent. Having adequate coverage with comprehensive insurance may help protect you from these related risks due to bad weather.
Read more: Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a hailstorm or heavy rain?
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Do Cars Get Struck by Lightning?
The estimated chances of a vehicle being hit by a lightning strike are about one in 500,000.
How much does comprehensive insurance cost?
Comprehensive insurance coverage is optional and, on average, adds about $200 per year to auto insurance costs.
How do I prove lightning damaged my car?
Usually, there are burn marks and perhaps a hole in the metal where the lightning struck the vehicle. Take photos for proof. Get estimates from qualified auto mechanics for the cost of the repairs.
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Brandon Frady
Licensed Insurance Agent
Brandon Frady has been a licensed insurance agent and insurance office manager since 2018. He has experience in ventures from retail to finance, working positions from cashier to management, but it wasn’t until Brandon started working in the insurance industry that he truly felt at home in his career. In his day-to-day interactions, he aims to live out his business philosophy in how he treats hi...
Licensed Insurance Agent
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.