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Home / Car Insurance / Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover Damage from Falling Objects?
Yes, usually, a comprehensive car insurance plan covers damage from falling objects such as trees, debris, construction materials, or even parts of buildings. Comprehensive car insurance accounts for over 35% of all motor policies sold in India. This protection is one of the key benefits of opting for a comprehensive car insurance plan over a basic third-party or collision-only policy.
In this article, we will explore how comprehensive insurance works in such cases, what’s included and excluded, real-world examples, claim procedures, and some useful tips to protect your car from damage.
The term “falling objects” refers to anything not attached to the ground that might fall on your vehicle, causing damage. These include:
Tree branches or full trees
Construction materials (e.g., wooden structures, cement blocks)
Hoardings or billboards
Satellite dishes or water tanks from buildings
Icicles or snow chunks (in colder regions)
Objects thrown or dropped accidentally from high-rises
According to policy documentation of different insurance providers, damage due to such objects is usually covered under their comprehensive car insurance, provided it is not due to negligence or intentional action.
For instance, during the 2023 monsoons, Mumbai recorded over 100 incidents of trees falling and damaging parked vehicles. In such cases, those with comprehensive coverage were able to claim the full repair costs.
The majority of comprehensive car insurance policies will cover a broad range of damages caused by falling objects. Here is what is generally covered:
Repair or replacement fees for damage caused by falling trees, building supplies, or debris.
Labour fees are due to dismantling, fitting, repainting, or structural repairs.
Windscreen or glass replacement, side mirrors, or sunroof shattered by impact.
Towing fees, if the vehicle is stuck after the accident.
Remember that the precise coverage details can differ according to the insurer's terms and conditions. It is crucial to read the policy inclusions and exclusions carefully before buying or renewing your car insurance.
Always ask what is considered a falling object and in what situation a claim can be denied to protect yourself from surprises in case of emergencies.
Although a simple comprehensive insurance policy covers damages arising from fallen objects, the claim value is usually offset according to the depreciation of the car as per IRDAI rules. That is, you will still have to pay a share of the repair bill.
So, to maximise your cover and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses, the following add-ons can be helpful:
Your car's value decreases over time through depreciation, that is, 50% in five years, according to IRDAI rates. Under this add-on, depreciation is not taken into account during claims, so you get the complete price of replacements for parts. This add-on is normally offered for cars that are not older than five years.
In the event of a fallen object damaging your car (such as a fall of a tree or pole), this add-on covers towing to the closest approved garage and offers repairs on the spot, alleviating your post-incident anxiety. An RSA cover might cost you approximately ₹399-₹1000 as per the make and model of your car.
If the falling object results in serious damage and the repair cost is more than 75% of the insured value of the car, then the car damage falls under total loss. This add-on provides you with reimbursement for the original invoice price, including road tax and registration fees. For the Tata Punch Pure Petrol variation, you can include this add-on at a price as low as ₹552.
Heavy falling objects may ruin the car engine, which is one of the most expensive parts to replace. The engine-related damages that a standard policy does not cover are what this add-on provides financial assistance for.
These add-ons give extra protection and serve best in areas where storms, tree losses, and ongoing construction occur frequently. For instance, an engine protection add-on for the Tata Punch Pure Petrol variation costs ₹640.
Cars getting damaged by falling objects like a tree or a pole is a rare thing to happen. However, a single instance can cause significant damage to your car, and at times, even total loss. Here is how you can keep it safe:
Park your car in a closed garage.
Take responsibility to remove dead or unstable trees from the area where you mostly park your car.
Raise awareness and request your neighbours to cut down overgrowth of their trees onto the streets.
Inform authorities about the unsafe growth of public trees.
Overall, comprehensive car insurance covers damage from falling objects like trees, but the claim process may vary based on ownership. If a government-owned tree caused the damage, compensation might come from civic authorities. In all cases, ensure you document the incident thoroughly with photos, videos, and timely reports to support your insurance claim effectively.
Yes, comprehensive car insurance protects your vehicle from damage caused by falling tree branches, as well as accidental and disaster-related damage, whether natural or man-made.
No, running into a fallen tree is a collision and not damage from falling objects. However, your comprehensive plan will still offer you compensation for damages caused due to such accidents.
If a tree owned by the municipality or government falls on your car, then generally, the government will be first liable to pay for your car’s losses. However, if for some reason this does not happen, your insurer will pay it.
Only Comprehensive car insurance and own-damage car insurance cover these damages for your car.