Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a landslide or mudslide?
Sometimes you need to know if auto insurance covers damage caused by a landslide or mudslide. Vehicles may have coverage against landslides under collision insurance if they hit something due to a landslide or mudslide. However, to ensure auto insurance coverage for a mudslide, it's best to carry comprehensive insurance that explicitly states insurance coverage for a landslide or mudslide.
Free Car Insurance Comparison
Compare Quotes From Top Companies and Save
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Chris Abrams
Licensed Insurance Agent
Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chris works tireles...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Dec 15, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Dec 15, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- If your vehicle is parked, damage caused by a landslide or mudslide is not covered unless you have optional comprehensive insurance
- If you hit something while driving, collision insurance may cover an accident caused by a landslide or mudslide, depending on the terms and conditions of your auto insurance policy
- Under comprehensive insurance coverage, damage caused by floods, earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, and mudflow is usually covered, and other disasters too
Regular homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage to the home or a parked vehicle from a landslide or mudslide. To cover a home, you need separate insurance policies for each type of disaster, including floods, earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, and mudflows.
In addition, you must add comprehensive vehicle insurance to cover all these risks.
Suppose you live in an area subject to flooding, water surge, and heavy rains. A landslide or mudslide could total your vehicle, so it is better to have affordable comprehensive auto insurance coverage.
Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a landslide or mudslide? Having comprehensive auto insurance could be helpful.
Auto Insurance Coverage for Landslides and Mudslides
Comprehensive auto insurance is optional. However, seven out of 10 people add comprehensive auto insurance coverage to their auto policies.
Depending on your policy terms and conditions, comprehensive auto insurance may cover losses resulting from these catastrophic events:
- landslides, falling object
- earthquakes
- mudslide or mudflow
- rainstorms, storm surges, and floods
- hailstorms
- fire
- theft
- vandalism
- damage by animals
- other natural disasters
Read more:
Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a hailstorm or heavy rain?
Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a lightning strike?
When you understand the different types of auto insurance coverage and the benefits of having comprehensive coverage, you will probably want to have it.
Compare over 200 auto insurance companies at once!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Comprehensive Insurance Coverage and Landslides
In this scenario, your vehicle will likely be totaled. If that is so, the coverage will be the cash value of your car, less the auto insurance deductible you pay out-of-pocket, up to the policy limit of comprehensive insurance coverage.
Comprehensive insurance coverage usually also covers damage to a vehicle caused by a sinkhole if it falls in.
Read more: Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a sinkhole?
Comprehensive auto insurance will not usually cover the value of any personal belongings left in a car if they are lost or damaged by a landslide. Usually, comprehensive auto insurance only covers features that are permanent parts of the vehicle, such as the stereo system.
There will not be coverage under comprehensive auto insurance for a child’s seat, wallet, purse, personal computer, or telephone if they get damaged or lost in a landslide. However, a homeowner or renter insurance policy may cover these items.
Comprehensive Coverage Does Not Pay Medical Expenses
When considering how much auto insurance coverage you need, you will likely want comprehensive coverage for the vehicle. However, be sure you understand that medical expenses for any person injured in the event will not be covered by comprehensive insurance.
For coverage of medical costs, you may need additional optional coverage such as personal injury protection (PIP) or MedPay.
Auto Insurance for Damage Caused by a Landslide or Mudslide: The Bottom Line
Comprehensive insurance offers significant coverage for many perils that could damage your vehicle. This insurance protection is very popular because it protects against adverse events.
If the expense is a concern, consider having the comprehensive with a higher deductible. Of course, if something terrible happens, you will have to pay the higher amount out-of-pocket. Still, if the damage is significant, you will appreciate having coverage for the excess amount.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the chances of a landslide in my state?
Landslides occur in every state. The USGS created a report called Landslide Inventories Across the United States and an interactive map that shows where they occur.
What is the difference between a landslide, mudslide, and mudflow?
The difference between these three categories is the increasing amount of water involved. A landslide has the least water, and a mudflow has the most, with a mudslide in the middle.
Does homeowners insurance cover vehicle damage caused by a landslide or mudslide?
Homeowners insurance does not usually cover the damage if your vehicle is damaged by a landslide or mudslide while parked in your driveway.
Compare over 200 auto insurance companies at once!
Secured with SHA-256 Encryption
Chris Abrams
Licensed Insurance Agent
Chris is the founder of Abrams Insurance Solutions and Marcan Insurance, which provide personal financial analysis and planning services for families and small businesses across the U.S. His companies represent nearly 100 of the top-rated insurance companies. Chris has been a licensed insurance agent since 2009 and has active insurance licenses in all 50 U.S. states and D.C. Chris works tireles...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.