Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a lightning strike?
Repairs for lightning strike damage may be quite costly. If lightning causes damage when it hits your car or causes an accident, you may wonder — does auto insurance cover damage caused by a lightning strike? The answer will depend on the extent of your auto insurance coverage.
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Insurance and Finance Writer
Maria Hanson grew up with a unique passion and understanding of both the automotive and insurance industries. With one grandfather in auto mechanics and another working in insurance, you could say automotive insurance is in her blood. Her love of research and finance serves her well in studying insurance trends and liability. Maria has expanded her scope of expertise to home, health, and life i...
Maria Hanson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Daniel Walker
Updated February 2025
If lightning strikes a car, the electricity will seek the path with the least resistance to go to the ground.
Some of the electricity will traverse the automobile’s frame, and other parts of the electrical energy will flow through the electrical system. In modern vehicles with computers, the electronics will suffer damage and may become dysfunctional.
If you are driving when a lightning strike happens, you will usually end up with ringing in your ears from the loud sound. The crashing sound will be loud, and you may experience temporary blindness. When this happens, you can quickly lose sight of the road and perhaps drive into danger or cause a traffic accident.
Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a lightning strike? Determining if auto insurance covers damage caused by a lightning strike helps to understand answers to the question: what are the different types of auto insurance coverage?
- Occupants of vehicles hit by lightning are safer from electrocution if they are not in contact with anything made of metal that connects them to the car body
- Auto insurance coverage that may apply includes comprehensive insurance for the damage to the vehicle, collision insurance if the lightning strike makes you crash into something, and liability insurance if you hit a person
- If the car is damaged when the lightning strikes but is not involved in an accident, you will need to have comprehensive insurance to make a damage claim
Auto Insurance Coverage for Damage Caused by a Lightning Strike
The terms and conditions of each auto insurance policy may differ. For example, a claim for vehicle damage caused by a lightning strike is usually made under comprehensive insurance. If the lightning strike also causes an accident, then collision insurance may cover some damage and liability insurance.
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Types of Auto Insurance For Lightning Strike Damage
Here is a brief overview of the different types of insurance and what they might cover if lightning strikes your automobile.
Comprehensive Auto Insurance for Lightning Strikes
Comprehensive insurance covers various damage, including those caused by lightning strikes.
Liability Auto Insurance for Lightning Strikes
Most states legally require you to carry affordable liability auto insurance coverage.
When an accident is determined to be your fault, liability insurance covers damage (up to the policy limits) to people, their personal belongings, and property. However, it does not cover medical expenses for you or your passengers.
Suppose you are driving along when lightning strikes, and you swerve, causing a pedestrian to jump out of the way to avoid being hit. If this person is injured, that would be a claim against your liability insurance.
Read more: Does auto insurance cover hitting a pedestrian?
Collision Auto Insurance for Lightning Strikes
Collision insurance covers instances where you hit something. If the temporary blindness from the lightning strike causes you to crash into something, that will trigger your collision insurance coverage.
Auto Insurance Coverage for Lightning Strikes
Companies to check for price comparisons include Allstate, Progressive, State Farm, Geico, and Nationwide. You can then use the quotes to determine — how much auto insurance coverage do I need?
Be aware that you must pay the auto insurance deductible before the insurance company starts to pay the expenses that exceed your deductible. Also, be mindful that if you live in an area with frequent lightning strikes, your risk of having a significant repair expense is higher if you do not carry sufficient insurance coverage.
Lightning Strikes and an Inoperable Vehicle
Insurance companies compare the repair cost to the vehicle’s cash value. If the lightning destroys expensive computer systems in your car and the repairs are higher than the car is worth, it is considered “totaled.”
Under these circumstances, if you have comprehensive insurance to cover the damages, the claim is limited to the vehicle’s cash value, less the deductible.
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Ensure You’re Covered for Damage Caused by a Lightning Strike
In some parts of the country, lightning strikes are very common. Other types of bad weather, like hailstorms, tornados, or heavy rain, may also be frequent. Having adequate coverage with comprehensive insurance may help protect you from these related risks due to bad weather.
Read more: Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a hailstorm or heavy rain?
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Do Cars Get Struck by Lightning?
The estimated chances of a vehicle being hit by a lightning strike are about one in 500,000.
How much does comprehensive insurance cost?
Comprehensive insurance coverage is optional and, on average, adds about $200 per year to auto insurance costs.
How do I prove lightning damaged my car?
Usually, there are burn marks and perhaps a hole in the metal where the lightning struck the vehicle. Take photos for proof. Get estimates from qualified auto mechanics for the cost of the repairs.
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