Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a runaway vehicle?
A lot of people ask if auto insurance covers damage caused by a runaway vehicle. Not all accidents happen on the road, with unexpected incidents such as getting hit by an out-of-control car. Fortunately, most auto insurance covers damage caused by a runaway vehicle. Here’s how this runaway vehicle insurance works.
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Insurance & Finance Analyst
Laura Adams is one of the nation’s leading finance, insurance, and small business authorities. As an award-winning author, spokesperson, and host of the top-rated Money Girl podcast since 2008, millions of readers and listeners benefit from her practical advice. Her mission is to empower consumers to live healthy and rich lives by planning for the future and making smart money decisions. She rec...
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Updated February 2025
A runaway vehicle is a car or truck that has completely lost control, possibly because of a brake problem, icy roads, or a similar issue. There may not even be a driver behind the wheel, but runaway vehicles can still do plenty of damage if they crash into something.
That can raise questions if a vehicle accidentally hits you or you lose control of your vehicle.
Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a runaway vehicle? Fortunately, the right kind of auto insurance covers damage caused by a runaway vehicle, and you can learn how to check the status of an auto insurance claim at any time.
- Damage from a runaway vehicle counts as a collision and is covered by collision insurance
- Collision insurance also applies if you lose control of your vehicle and crash into something
- Exceptions to collision insurance coverage include driving without a license and driving intoxicated
Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a runaway vehicle?
Yes, it can. Most forms of auto insurance can cover damage like this. It usually falls under collision insurance, a type of vehicle coverage that applies when your car is damaged from something hitting it.
Collision insurance typically applies to any vehicle or object that hits your car, covering all kinds of runaway vehicles and associated damage.
Auto insurance comes with both collision and comprehensive insurance policies, which lenders require when you take out an auto loan. For further information, look up the details of your plan, and learn how to compare auto insurance quotes.
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Does auto insurance cover damage caused by a runaway vehicle if I lose control of my car?
Collision insurance applies to any damage to your car caused by a collision. So even if you are at fault or a collision harms nothing else but your car, the insurance still takes effect.
Some exceptions do apply if your car was a runaway vehicle. For example, insurance companies will want to make sure you didn’t damage the car on purpose for something like insurance fraud.
Collision insurance claims generally can’t help if you broke the law in a runaway vehicle, such as driving without a license or intoxicated.(For more information, read our “Does my auto insurance cover damage caused by a brake failure?“).
Final Thoughts on Auto Insurance Covering Damage Caused by a Runaway Vehicle
Collision insurance covers your car when something hits and damages it. This type of insurance applies to any vehicle or object that hits your car, and it pays for different types of damage caused by runaway vehicles.
If someone hits your car with a runaway vehicle and immediately leaves the scene, it’s important to stay calm.
While insurance can vary (see the vehicles with the most affordable auto insurance quotes), many policies automatically consider this as damage caused by an uninsured vehicle and proceed with the claim. This may impact your costs and how much your insurance company will cover.
An uninsured motorist property damage (UMPD) type of auto insurance can help in these cases. You may want to look at your policy and see if UMPD insurance is included or if you should learn more about auto insurance discounts for affordable coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need liability coverage for a runaway vehicle?
Liability insurance covers damage you may cause to other people or property in a runaway vehicle. For example, if runaway vehicles cross into private property or a business location, they can cause property damage that this type of liability insurance would cover.
Most auto insurance policies already have some kind of liability insurance included. Therefore, policyholders don’t usually need to add liability insurance to an existing policy.
What if a collision with a runaway vehicle hurt me?
Seek medical attention as soon as you can. Auto insurance includes medical payments coverage and personal injury protection (PIP) that can pay for costs associated with an accident like this. Make sure you document everything for your insurance claim. These steps apply to anyone who was injured in your car.
Does the type of vehicle matter with runaway damage?
Your insurance can vary depending on the type of vehicle you have. When you first take out an auto insurance policy, its coverage depends on the vehicle model you have, safety ratings for that model, how expensive parts are, and other information.
This can affect the vehicle’s repair costs or general replacement cost when you make a claim. Check company vs. company: pros and cons for more information.
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