Auto Insurance Answers: Common Questions and Quandaries

If mice or squirrels move into your engine compartment and snack on your electrical system, your carrier should pay that claim under your comprehensive coverage. You'll pay your deductible first. 

If you don't have comprehensive coverage, the full cost of repairs is on you.

You should report the incident and file a claim. In most states, the insurance carrier will (or should) assign two claims adjusters to research what happened and decide who caused the accident. 

If you are not at fault, the carrier should pay for all damages, up to the other driver's liability limits.²

If you are at fault or live in a no-fault state, the claim falls under your collision coverage. You will absorb the cost of the deductible, however.

If your insurance company verifies the other driver caused the accident, the claim should be the responsibility of the other driver's liability insurance. Some insurers will pursue this claim for you, and some will not. If the carrier asks you to file a third-party claim, you must work with the at-fault driver's insurance company directly.

To file a third-party claim, you need the at-fault driver's name, phone number, policy name and number, and license plate. You should also have details about the accident -- photos, witness information, and the name of the police officer on scene. Remember, too, to request a copy of the police report as soon as it's available. 

Locate the main claims number or online claims portal for the other driver's insurance provider. You'll file a claim and work directly with an adjuster to get compensation for your damages.³ 

If the other driver's liability limits don't cover your damages, you can claim additional expenses under your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. 

Yes, you can still file a claim with your insurance. There are a few ways your carrier might handle this situation: 

1. If the at-fault driver's identity and information is available from witnesses or a police report, you or your carrier can pursue a claim against that driver's liability insurance. 

2. If you can't identify the other driver's insurance information, you can use your uninsured motorist coverage. If you don't have uninsured motorist coverage, your collision coverage may pay to repair your car, after you fund the deductible.⁴

No, sorry. Your comprehensive car insurance only pays to repair your car's damage if it's recovered. Or if it's not recovered, the comprehensive insurance reimburses you for your car's actual cash value. In both cases, your deductible applies.⁵ 

You'll get no credit from your auto insurance on the loss or damage of your personal items. You may qualify for reimbursement from your homeowner's insurance, however.

A blown engine is a mechanical breakdown. Unless you have mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), you'll pay for the repairs yourself.⁶ 

If you're not sure whether you have MBI, you probably don't. This coverage is not a normal line item on full-coverage auto insurance. MBI is more like extended warranty protection, in that only specific companies offer it, primarily on newer cars. 

In theory, your carrier should cover the resulting vehicle damage to your spouse's car under your property damage liability. Unfortunately, many auto policies have a "family exclusion," also known as "household exclusion." The exclusion blocks a family member from recovering damages under your policy. 

If your policy has that exclusion, your carrier will likely deny the claim.⁷

Your auto insurance might cover a moving truck rental, or it might not. You'll have to read your policy or ask your agent to clarify. If you do have coverage, it's probably liability only -- with no protections against damage to the truck itself. Also, your liability coverage might carry over only up to a certain truck size and weight.⁸

Note, too, that your car insurance generally won't cover the personal items in the moving truck.⁹

There are a few scenarios where you'd pay your deductible even though someone else caused the accident: 

You don't know the identity of the other driver.

Since you and your insurance can't pursue a claim against an unknown party, you'd use your collision coverage to pay for the damages. Collision claims always require you to pay your deductible. 

The other driver or insurance company is not cooperating.

Your carrier may use your collision coverage initially but then go after the other party for compensation. If your carrier recovers the full amount of the damages, you'll receive a check reimbursing you for the deductible.

The other driver has no insurance, and you have no uninsured motorist coverage.

When your insurer cannot collect from the other party, and you don't have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage yourself, you can end up on the hook for the deductible.

If you know the other driver has insurance

Your insurer may want to use your collision coverage instead of filing a claim with the other driver's insurance. Ask your insurer if you can file a third-party claim with the other insurance provider. 

Comprehensive insurance covers vandalism. And an ex-spouse or partner keying, smashing, or slashing your car is vandalism.¹⁰ File a police report first and then contact your insurance company. As with all comprehensive claims, you'll pay your deductible first before your insurance kicks in.  

In a word, no. Your car insurance probably only covers you in the U.S. and, possibly, Canada. Mexico and other countries will require supplemental insurance. You can get coverage through a rental car agency. Or, call (877) 290-8182 to speak to an agent about Mexico Auto coverage.¹¹