Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a riot or civil unrest?

If your vehicle was recently damaged during a riot, you may understandably question if your auto insurance covers damage caused by a riot or civil unrest. For example, auto insurance does cover slashed tires, provided you have the proper auto insurance coverage.

Auto insurance does cover damage caused by a riot or civil unrest if you have comprehensive coverage. Keep reading to learn the answer to your question and some additional helpful tips.

Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a riot or civil unrest?

Yes, your auto insurance will cover damage caused by a riot or civil unrest. Specifically, as the Insurance Information Institute notes regarding civil disorders and insurance, the comprehensive part of your auto policy will cover this type of damage to your vehicle.

The comprehensive portion is optional, so not all drivers have it, but if you do, it should cover damage caused by fire, vandalism, riots, and cracked or shattered windshields.

About 79% of insured drivers have comprehensive coverage as part of their auto insurance policy, notes an Insurance Information Institute article about facts and statistics about auto insurance.

So while you will have to cover your deductible, the comprehensive portion of your policy will take care of the rest. Fortunately, you can find affordable full coverage auto insurance online.

Read more: Does auto insurance cover vandalism?

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How do I file an auto insurance claim after a riot?

Once it is safe for you to do so, you should take plenty of photos of the damage to your car and the surrounding scene. Also, write down when, where, and what time the riot or civil unrest took place.

If you have an auto insurance agent, call them to report the damage or report it online. Be sure to submit any photographic evidence as well. You should also contact your local police department and file a police report.

What if I don’t have comprehensive coverage to cover riot damage?

If you do not have comprehensive coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, you must pay for any damage to your vehicle from a riot or civil unrest out of your pocket. Depending on how much damage your vehicle has sustained, this could run into thousands of dollars.

There are many types of auto insurance coverage. A key difference between collision auto insurance and comprehensive auto insurance is that comprehensive covers damage from things other than a car accident.

Fortunately, if you have ever wondered, “Once I buy the policy, will I ever need to change my insurance coverage?” the answer is “Yes.” You can speak with your agent about adding other coverage to your policy anytime during the year.

Although adding comprehensive will cause your rates to go up a bit, it is generally quite affordable. And, if your car is ever damaged by fire, vandalism, or during a riot, knowing you are covered may create significant peace of mind during a stressful time.

Repairing a Car Damaged by a Riot or Civil Unrest

After you speak with your insurance agent to report the damage to your vehicle, you will be assigned a claims adjuster. They will come over to check out the vandalism and will start the process of submitting your claim to your auto insurance company.

If your claims adjuster contacts you for additional information, try to answer as quickly as possible, as this will help speed up the procedure and help you get paid quickly. After your insurance claim has been accepted and you receive your money from your auto insurance company, you can arrange to repair your vehicle.

Final Thoughts on Auto Insurance Covering Damage Caused by a Riot or Civil Unrest

While you never want to be in the position to ask yourself, “Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a riot or civil unrest?” it is reassuring to know that you might not have to pay for everything out of pocket.

By speaking with your agent, if you have one, and making sure that you have affordable comprehensive auto insurance coverage, your policy will cover the damage caused by riot or civil unrest, minus your deductible.