A common incident in a store parking lot in Rock Hill, SC, is a shopping cart damaging your car. Cart corrals are placed throughout parking lots for customers to return their carts, but unfortunately, not everyone follows the rules. Cart bumps from customers or runaway carts can damage your vehicle. The natural reaction is to take it straight to an auto shop, but few people consider whether auto insurance can help cover the cost.

Does Car Insurance Cover Damage Caused by a Shopping Cart?

Coverage for shopping cart damage depends on the cause and what’s included in your policy. If someone accidentally bumps a cart into your vehicle, that damage typically falls under collision coverage. If the wind blows a cart into your car instead, opinions among carriers can vary. Some treat it as a collision claim, while others classify it as a comprehensive claim. Because of that, it’s smart to carry both types of coverage. Either way, your policy needs to include the correct coverage at the time of the incident in order for a claim to be eligible.

How Do You Know If You Have Collision and Comprehensive on Your Policy?

The team at Wil Plyler Insurance Agency can review your policy to identify your existing coverage. If you don’t currently have collision or comprehensive coverage, adding it is straightforward, though it won’t apply retroactively to incidents that occurred before the coverage took effect. If you’re financing or leasing your vehicle, collision and comprehensive coverage are typically required; once the vehicle is paid off, they become optional. You may end up with one type of coverage but not the other, which may or may not work in your favor depending on the situation.

A shopping cart incident doesn’t have to be stressful when you have the right auto insurance coverage in place. Let one of our agents review your policy and answer any questions about how different carriers handle shopping cart incidents. Rest easy knowing you’re covered every time you shop. Contact Wil Plyler Insurance Agency in Rock Hill, SC for more information.

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