Does Car Insurance Cover Damages from Collisions with Animals?

Animals are sometimes unpredictable, they could dart out from a tall tree, a building, or a vehicle and they can be impossible to avoid. They might attack your car while driving across a forest or on a highway and may also cause damage to your car. The question arising here is that does your car insurance cover animal attack? Read on to learn about car insurance for an animal attack, its benefits and coverage.

Yes, a Comprehensive car insurance policy will cover damages from collisions with animals. Damages to your car can be due to accidents, vandalism, natural calamities, and sometimes, you may encounter an animal attack. These are some of the common reasons why your car requires repair. Motor insurance protects the insured vehicle from financial liabilities towards damages to the third party or their property, and if you have a Comprehensive policy, it will cover damages from collisions with animals as well. So, how does insurance coverage work when the damage is due to an animal attack? First, learn about the types of damages due to animals before you can raise a claim for the same.

While it is indeed unpredictable for an animal to dart and attack your vehicle, there are a few precautions you can take to avoid a collision. Here are some tips to prevent animal attacks on cars:

Keep Calm :One of the main reasons why animals attack a vehicle or a person is that they can sense fear or if a person is excited. This could scare the animal and could get confused. It is this reason the animal tends to defend and attacks you or the vehicle. Remain calm, especially if you are driving through a highway and you encounter an animal on your way. Animals rarely attack, but if they feel threatened, they would not think twice to attack. Ensure you keep calm and wait for the animal to leave.

Keep the Windows Closed :While the car is parked or left unattended, ensure you do not keep the windows open. Chances are animals may enter the vehicle and could cause damage to the interior and the exterior. Sometimes you may forget to close the sunroof, which is easy access for animals to enter your car.

Park in a Garage :Try and find a garage if you do not have one to park your car inside the garage. This will eliminate any chances of an unpredictable animal attack. Also, it keeps your car away from sunlight and dust, thereby increasing the life of the vehicle.

Do Not Leave the Car Unused for Long :Drive your car regularly even if it is not daily. This will prevent rodents or rats from nesting and chewing the wiring of your car.

Do Not Leave Food Inside the Car :Do not leave any leftover food or avoid eating food inside the car. These are great in attracting animals inside the car and could damage finding their way inside the vehicle.

Use Animal Repellents There are several types of repellents for rats and other pests. They might cost a bit, but it can avoid damages to the car when pests or rats enter the vehicle and cause unwanted damages.

Get a Comprehensive Car Insurance Policy While you may take precautions to avoid any animal attack damages or damages due to rodents chewing up the wiring, get the comprehensive car insurance policy which covers Own Damage as well.

Get a Protective Cover or Hammock for Your Pet Use a car hammock for pets or covers which keeps your pet from chewing or damages the interior of the upholstery of the car. It will also prevent your pet from wandering in the car.

Do Not Feed Wild Animals If you are driving through a wildlife sanctuary or a forest, avoid feeding wild animals. They are unpredictable and could possibly damage your car while you are feeding the animal.

In conclusion, a comprehensive car insurance policy covers animal attacks. Thus, it is advisable to take a comprehensive policy to get a wide range of coverage, including damages due to animals.