Does The General Insurance car insurance cover damage caused by a collision with an animal if I only have liability coverage?

If you’re a driver in the United States, you’re legally required to have car insurance. But with so many different types of coverage available, it can be hard to know what’s included in your policy and what isn’t. One question that many drivers ask is whether their liability coverage will cover damage caused by a collision with an animal. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at The General Insurance’s liability coverage and what it covers when it comes to animal collisions.

Understanding Different Types Of Car Insurance Coverage

Before we get into the specifics of The General Insurance’s liability coverage, it’s important to understand the different types of car insurance coverage that are available:

• Liability coverage
• Collision coverage
• Comprehensive coverage

Liability coverage is the most basic type of car insurance coverage. It’s also required by law in many states. Liability coverage covers the cost of damages or injuries that you cause to another person or their property while driving your vehicle.

Collision coverage is another type of car insurance coverage that covers the cost of damages to your own vehicle in the event of a collision, regardless of who is at fault. This coverage is optional, but it can be helpful if you have a newer or more expensive vehicle that you want to protect.

Comprehensive coverage is a type of car insurance coverage that covers the cost of damages to your vehicle that are not caused by a collision, such as theft, vandalism, or natural disasters. This coverage is also optional, but it can provide added peace of mind and protection for your vehicle.

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What Is Liability Car Insurance?

As we just mentioned, liability car insurance is the most basic type of car insurance coverage. It covers the cost of damages or injuries that you cause to another person or their property while driving your vehicle. Liability coverage is divided into two parts:

• Bodily injury liability
• Property damage liability

Bodily injury liability covers the cost of medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages if you cause injuries to another person in an accident. Property damage liability covers the cost of repairs or replacement if you damage someone else’s property in an accident.

It’s important to note that liability car insurance only covers damages or injuries that you cause to others. It does not cover any damages to your own vehicle or injuries that you may sustain in an accident. For this reason, many people choose to add additional coverage to their car insurance policy, such as collision coverage or personal injury protection. These types of coverage can help protect you and your vehicle in the event of an accident.

What Does Liability Car Insurance Cover?

Liability car insurance covers the cost of damages or injuries that you cause to another person or their property while driving your vehicle. This includes:

• Medical expenses for injured parties
• Lost wages for injured parties
• Repair or replacement costs for damaged property

It’s important to note that liability coverage only covers damages or injuries that you cause to others. It does not cover any damage or injuries that you sustain in an accident.

Additionally, liability car insurance typically has limits on the amount of coverage provided. These limits are often expressed as two numbers, such as 50/100. The first number represents the maximum amount of coverage for bodily injury per person, while the second number represents the maximum amount of coverage for bodily injury per accident. It’s important to choose liability coverage limits that adequately protect you in the event of an accident.

What Does Liability Car Insurance Not Cover?

While liability car insurance covers a lot of ground, there are several things that it does not cover:

• Damage to your own vehicle
• Injuries sustained by you or your passengers
• Theft or vandalism of your own vehicle
• Damage caused by natural disasters or weather events

If you want coverage for any of these things, you’ll need to purchase additional coverage.

It’s important to note that liability car insurance also does not cover intentional damage or illegal activities. If you cause an accident on purpose or while committing a crime, your liability insurance will not cover the damages.

Additionally, liability insurance has limits on how much it will pay out for damages. If the damages exceed your coverage limit, you will be responsible for paying the difference out of pocket. It’s important to consider this when choosing your coverage limits.

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Common Types Of Damage Caused By A Collision With An Animal

Now that we’ve covered liability car insurance in general, let’s talk specifically about animal collisions. When you collide with an animal while driving, several different types of damage can occur:

• Damage to your vehicle
• Injuries to you or your passengers
• Damages to the animal or other property

It’s important to note that the type and severity of damage can vary depending on the size and type of animal. For example, hitting a deer can cause significant damage to your vehicle and potentially serious injuries to you and your passengers. On the other hand, colliding with a smaller animal like a squirrel may only result in minor damage to your car. It’s always best to exercise caution and be prepared for the possibility of an animal collision, especially when driving in areas known for high wildlife activity.

Animal Collisions And Liability Coverage: What You Need To Know

If you collide with an animal while driving and you only have liability coverage, your policy will cover the cost of damages or injuries to other people and their property. However, it will not cover any damages to your own vehicle or injuries to you or your passengers. Additionally, liability coverage does not typically cover damages to animals or other property.

It is important to note that some insurance companies offer optional coverage for animal collisions, such as comprehensive coverage. This type of coverage can help pay for damages to your vehicle caused by hitting an animal, as well as other non-collision incidents like theft or weather damage.

Another factor to consider is the type of animal you collide with. Some animals, like deer, can cause significant damage to your vehicle and even cause injuries to you and your passengers. In these cases, it may be worth investing in additional coverage to protect yourself and your vehicle.

Is It Possible To Add Animal Collision Coverage To My Liability Policy?

If you want coverage for damage caused by a collision with an animal, you’ll need to purchase additional coverage beyond liability. Many insurance companies offer animal collision coverage as an optional add-on to their policies. This type of coverage will cover the cost of damages to your own vehicle if you collide with an animal while driving.

It’s important to note that animal collision coverage may have certain limitations and exclusions. For example, some policies may only cover collisions with certain types of animals, such as deer or moose. Additionally, there may be a deductible that you’ll need to pay before the coverage kicks in. Be sure to read the terms and conditions of any animal collision coverage carefully before purchasing it to ensure that you understand what is and isn’t covered.

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The Cost Of Adding Animal Collision Coverage To Your Policy

The Cost Of Adding Animal Collision Coverage To Your Policy will vary depending on several factors, including your driving record, the type of vehicle you drive, and the level of coverage you choose. However, in general, adding animal collision coverage to your policy will lead to an increase in your insurance rates.

It’s important to note that animal collision coverage is not included in standard auto insurance policies. This means that if you want this coverage, you will need to add it as an optional extra. Some insurance companies may offer this coverage as part of a comprehensive policy, while others may offer it as a standalone option.

When considering whether to add animal collision coverage to your policy, it’s important to weigh the potential costs against the benefits. While it may increase your insurance rates, it can also provide valuable protection in the event of an accident involving an animal. Ultimately, the decision will depend on your individual circumstances and priorities.

Tips For Avoiding Collisions With Animals While Driving

The best way to avoid collisions with animals while driving is to be alert and aware of your surroundings. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Pay attention to posted wildlife warning signs
• Drive at a safe speed, especially in areas known for wildlife crossings
• Use high beams when driving at night in areas known for wildlife crossings
• Don’t swerve to avoid hitting an animal, as this could cause you to lose control of your vehicle

What To Do If You Hit An Animal While Driving

If you collide with an animal while driving, here’s what you should do:

• Pull over to a safe location
• Check yourself and your passengers for injuries
• Call the police or animal control if the animal is still alive but injured
• Take photos of the damage to your vehicle and the animal, if possible
• Contact your insurance company

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The Importance Of Reporting Animal Collisions To Your Insurance Company

Even if your liability coverage does not cover animal collisions, it’s still important to report any collisions to your insurance company. This will ensure that there is a record of the incident on file, which could be important if you need to file a claim for other types of damages at a later time.

How Your Insurance Rates May Be Affected By An Animal Collision

If you collide with an animal while driving and file a claim with your insurance company, your rates may be affected. In general, rates tend to go up after an accident claim is filed. However, the exact impact on your rates will depend on several factors, including the severity of the accident and your driving record.

Comparing The General Insurance’S Coverage For Animal Collisions With Other Insurers

The General Insurance’s coverage for animal collisions may differ from other insurers. If you’re shopping for insurance and want coverage for animal collisions, be sure to compare policies from multiple insurers before making a decision.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Liability Coverage And Animal Collisions

Q: Will liability coverage cover damage caused by a collision with an animal?
A: Liability coverage will cover the cost of damages or injuries to others, but it will not cover damages to your own vehicle or injuries to you or your passengers.

Q: Can I add animal collision coverage to my liability policy?
A: Yes, many insurance companies offer animal collision coverage as an optional add-on to their policies.

Q: How much does animal collision coverage cost?
A: The cost of animal collision coverage will vary depending on several factors, including your driving record, the type of vehicle you drive, and the level of coverage you choose.

Q: What should I do if I hit an animal while driving?
A: If you collide with an animal while driving, pull over to a safe location, check yourself and your passengers for injuries, call the police or animal control if the animal is still alive but injured, take photos of the damage to your vehicle and the animal, and contact your insurance company.

Q: Will my insurance rates go up if I file a claim for an animal collision?
A: In general, rates tend to go up after an accident claim is filed. However, the exact impact on your rates will depend on several factors, including the severity of the accident and your driving record.

Q: How does The General Insurance’s coverage for animal collisions compare to other insurers?
A: The General Insurance’s coverage for animal collisions may differ from other insurers. If you’re shopping for insurance and want coverage for animal collisions, be sure to compare policies from multiple insurers before making a decision.

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you collide with an animal while driving and only have liability coverage, your policy will cover the cost of damages or injuries to other people and their property, but it will not cover any damages to your own vehicle or injuries to you or your passengers. If you want coverage for animal collisions, you’ll need to purchase additional coverage beyond liability. The cost of this coverage will vary depending on several factors, and it may lead to an increase in your insurance rates. To avoid collisions with animals while driving, be alert and aware of your surroundings, and follow the tips we’ve outlined in this article. If you do collide with an animal, be sure to report the incident to your insurance company, even if your liability coverage does not cover animal collisions.

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