Does Home Insurance Cover Car Damage?

Since every homeowner's insurance policy is unique, it's important when buying coverage that you thoroughly understand exactly what's written in your policy, including the fine print. You should also ask lots of questions of the agent writing the policy concerning any matters you may find unclear.

A Greensboro home insurance policy, like those found anywhere else, will typically share certain features that are fairly universal in homeowner's coverage such as reimbursement for damage caused to your dwelling by a long list of perils that will be spelled out in the insurance contract. Your policy will also likely include coverage against damage or loss of your possessions and other contents found in the home and also cover you for certain types of liability such as someone being injured while on your property or your dog biting the neighbor, who then requires medical attention.

What's Not Covered

Unless specifically spelled out in your Greensboro home insurance policy, chances are that loss or damage to your car isn't covered. Even if your vehicle is parked in your attached garage, which burns to the ground for a total loss, your home insurance won't pay for the loss of the car, although the garage itself will likely be fully covered. It's the comprehensive portion of your auto insurance that would pay for the loss of your car. If you don't carry comprehensive coverage on your car you may be out of luck, although in some cases your home insurance could pay some partial amount towards replacement of your vehicle. Obtaining reimbursement from your home insurance for damage or loss to your vehicle may require a legal fight.

Most home insurance policies provide a certain amount of coverage for personal items that are stolen from your car, just as you may be reimbursed for a camera stolen while you're on vacation. Your homeowner's policy will also typically pay a claim for damage done to another person's vehicle while parked at your residence. Say, for example, your child throws a rock at a visitor's car or crashes into it with their bicycle. Your homeowner's insurance should pay a claim submitted for these types of damage.

Since every insurance contract is different, it's important to know what your policy covers and what it doesn't. If you have an uninsured vehicle parked in your garage you can request a rider be added to cover it in your homeowner's policy.