Does auto insurance cover damage from fallen power line? (2026)
Auto insurance covers damage from a fallen power line if you have full coverage, which costs around $119/mo. For instance, while collision coverage pays for damages if you hit a fallen power line, comprehensive covers your car if a power line falls on it. We'll overview these coverages and their cost below.
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Published Insurance Expert
Melanie Musson is the fourth generation in her family to work in the insurance industry. She grew up with insurance talk as part of her everyday conversation and has studied to gain an in-depth knowledge of state-specific insurance laws and dynamics as well as a broad understanding of how insurance fits into every person’s life, from budgets to coverage levels. Through her years working in th...
Melanie Musson
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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...
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Updated September 2024
- Collision insurance pays for your car damages if you hit a fallen power line
- Comprehensive covers your car if a power line falls on it
- While liability won’t cover your car, it pays to replace the power line if at fault
Does auto insurance cover damage from fallen power line? Yes, full coverage insurance covers fallen power line damage. For example, collision coverage pays out if you drive into a downed power line that causes vehicle damage, while comprehensive covers power line damage to a stationary vehicle.
Still not sure if insurance will cover your power line damage? Keep reading to learn what kind of car insurance covers damage caused by a fallen power line and discover how to file an auto insurance claim. You can also enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool above to compare rates for cheap full coverage from the top providers.
Full Coverage Insurance Pays for Damage Caused by a Fallen Power Line
Your car has complete protection against power line damage if you carry full coverage insurance. Whether you drove into a power line that fell on the road or bad weather caused one to fall on your car, full coverage will pay out for damages.
Check out the table below to see how much you could pay for a full coverage insurance policy from the best car insurance companies:
Full Coverage Auto Insurance Average Rates by Provider| Insurance Company | Monthly Rates |
|---|---|
| Allstate | $160 |
| American Family | $117 |
| Farmers | $139 |
| Geico | $80 |
| Liberty Mutual | $174 |
| Nationwide | $115 |
| Progressive | $105 |
| State Farm | $86 |
| Travelers | $99 |
| USAA | $59 |
| U.S. Average | $119 |
Keep reading to learn more about which types of auto insurance coverage pays out for fallen power line damage in certain scenarios.
When Collision Coverage Pays for Damage From a Fallen Power Line
Collision insurance is a type of insurance that pays for vehicle damages resulting from collisions with other cars or objects.
So, collision coverage would pay out if:
- You swerve to avoid a fallen power line.
- You drive into a fallen power line.
- A power line falls on your moving vehicle.
If you have collision insurance as part of your policy, you can claim the cost of repairing your car should it gets damaged by a fallen power line. If you don’t have this type of coverage, you could make a claim against the utility company depending on whether the failure was due to negligence on their part.
When Comprehensive Coverage Pays for Fallen Power Line Damage
Comprehensive car insurance covers damages if a fallen power line falls on a stationary vehicle due to a natural disaster or other non-collision event. For example, if you experience an earthquake and it causes a power line to fall on your car, comprehensive will pay out.
Learn more about the difference between comprehensive vs. collision coverage and how it impacts your auto claim for damages caused by a fallen power line.
When Liability Insurance Pays for Fallen Power Line Damage
If you hit a pole that causes the power lines to fall, you should report the damage immediately. The utility company, or other entity that maintains the pole, may seek compensation from you to cover the repair cost. If they do, you should file a liability claim with your insurance company to avoid paying out of pocket.
You need to file a police report after an accident if you hit a pole and cause the lines to fall.
If you don't contact police after hitting a pole, this could be considered a hit-and-run incident. Also, the downed lines could represent a hazard to others with a risk of electrocution or other dangers.
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Contact the authorities and seek instructions, as you may need to wait inside your car to avoid any danger.
Many states require liability auto insurance coverage, which pays for damages to third parties if you cause an accident. So, while liability insurance would pay to repair a power line, it wouldn’t cover your vehicle damages. You need collision or comprehensive insurance to pay for repairs to your car when you hit a downed power line unless you make a successful claim against the power line owners.
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What to Do if a Fallen Power Line Damages Your Car
If you have collision insurance as part of your policy, you can always claim for repairs to your car if you hit a pole and the vehicle is subsequently damaged by fallen power lines. Comprehensive auto insurance may cover you if the power lines were downed in a storm or by a covered event in your policy.
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Learn More: Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a falling object?
You may be able to claim against the owner of the power lines if the incident was due to negligence on their part. If you hit a pole, causing the lines to fall, you may need to file a liability claim to pay for the resulting property damages.
Looking for more affordable liability coverage? Enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below to instantly shop for rates from the top providers in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I hit a pole with my car, will insurance cover it?
If you carry full coverage insurance, it should help pay out for vehicle damages if you hit a pole with your car. In addition, your liability insurance should pay out if the incident was your fault.
Is hitting a pole part of comprehensive or collision insurance?
Collision insurance will cover damages if you hit another vehicle or a stationary object, like a telephone pole.
Which property damage scenarios are covered by auto insurance?
Liability coverage will pay for property damage you cause if you’re at fault in a car accident. You need collision and comprehensive insurance to cover property damage to your own vehicle.
Learn More: Property Damage Liability (PDL) Auto Insurance
Is hitting a wall a collision?
If you hit a wall and it was your fault, you would need collision coverage to pay for the damages to your car. Your liability coverage would pay for any damage to the wall.
How much does it cost if you hit a utility pole?
Generally, the cost to repair or replace a utility pole ranges from $1,000 to $10,000, or even more, though it depends on the damage severity. If you carry liability insurance, it should pay to cover the damages.
Enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool below to instantly compare cheap liability insurance rates from the best insurance companies near you.
What happens if you hit a pole and leave?
Hitting a utility pole and leaving is illegal, and you could be charged with a hit-and-run if you do so. Consequences include fines, license suspension, higher car insurance premiums, and criminal charges.
What should I do if I hit a pole in a parking lot?
You may be wondering what to do if you hit a pole in a parking lot. First, remain at the scene and document the damages. You should also report the incident to the police and your insurance company, particularly if damages are severe.
If I damage my own car, can I claim on my insurance?
Yes, you can file a claim on your insurance for at-fault damages if you carry collision coverage. However, your claim will be subject to any insurance deductibles and you’ll likely see increased rates.
Is it safe to drive over fallen power lines?
No, it’s never safe to drive over fallen power lines since they’re live and could result in electrocution. Stay in your vehicle and notify emergency services if you encounter a downed power line in the road.
Does insurance cover electrical problems?
While insurance won’t cover electrical issues due to wear-and-tear, it will cover them if they resulted from a covered event, such as an accident or natural disaster.
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