Compare Car Insurance for Natural Disasters: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements [2023]
Car insurance after a natural disaster usually increases by 7% as insurance companies have to recoup costs. For places where natural disasters are common, insurance is permanently more expensive.
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Zach Fagiano
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Insurance & Finance Analyst
UPDATED: Nov 8, 2023
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Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Nov 8, 2023
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident car insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one car insurance company and cannot guarantee quotes from any single company.
Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from top car companies please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- After an insurance companies has paid a large number of claims due to a natural disaster, they will have to raise rates to recoup the costs
- In areas prone to certain disasters, insurance will be permanently more expensive
- In an effort to reduce natural disasters due to carbon emissions, many car insurance companies are offering discounts for earth-friendly vehicles
Things like natural hazards and natural disasters can affect a person’s car insurance by either damaging their car directly or influencing the car insurance market as a whole.
While it’s always common sense to try not to drive in or near hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and other types of storms, the reality is that your car can suffer damage in a storm simply by being parked in the driveway.
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Additionally, your car insurance rates might go up if some type of storm devastates your area or another area, even if you and your auto suffer no damage. When insurance companies have to make large payouts to some policyholders, all policyholders can end up footing the bill.
The Difference between a Natural Hazard and a Natural Disaster
The terms natural hazard and natural disaster are regularly confused.
Natural hazard is the term given to certain weather events.
These weather events can include:
- tsunamis
- hurricanes
- tornadoes
- earthquakes
- volcanoes
- pestilence
- droughts that affect food crops
- lightning storms
- wildfires
While the natural hazard is the weather event itself, a natural disaster is the effect. these natural hazards have on people. A natural hazard becomes a natural disaster when there is a loss of life or extreme property damage.
The side effects of a natural hazard can become a natural disaster.
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How a Natural Disaster Can Affect the Car Insurance Market
Most people understand how an individual’s car insurance premium can increase when they have to file a claim for a car that has been damaged in a storm or other natural hazard.
People might not be completely aware how a major natural disaster can affect the rates of a person that was in no way involved or affected by the natural disaster.
If a natural disaster causes an insurance company to have to pay out millions in claims to keep the insurance company from failing, they might have to increase the insurance rates of all of their policyholders.
During the period directly following a natural disaster it might even be in the insurance company’s best interest to not offer new coverage for a short time.
If a certain area experiences multiple natural disasters in a short window of time or if a certain area is more prone to things like tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes, the cost of certain types of car insurance coverage can be increased permanently.
An example of this might be how flood insurance coverage often costs more in areas that are more prone to flooding because they have more annual rainfall or are more prone to hurricanes.
So naturally, flood insurance coverage would cost more in Florida than it would in Kansas. A person would pay more for wildfire coverage if they lived in southern California than they would if they lived in Oregon.
How the Green Movement Is Affecting Car Insurance
The Green Movement focuses on reducing energy demands and carbon emissions. There is increasing evidence that high carbon emissions and high energy demands have an adverse effect on the weather throughout the world.
One of the ways this happens is that certain weather events become more severe.
More severe natural hazards equals more damage and a more adverse affect on the insurance market.
Since the insurance industry recognizes how “going green” can benefit their bottom line in the long run, they have started to invest in the Green Movement.
Some of the ways the insurance industry is investing in the Green Movement are by offering discounts for more earth-friendly cars and by donating money every year to “green” charities and organizations.
Many leading national car insurance companies offer a five-percent to ten-percent discount to policyholders who drive a more earth-friendly car.
Some of these cars include hybrids like the Toyota Prius and cars that have been modified to use biofuel instead of fossil fuels or to produce less carbon emissions.
More earth-friendly cars not only offer the policyholder the chance of a discount on their car insurance but also tend to be much safer. Cars that do not rely on fossil fuels are less likely to catch on fire if they are in an accident.
The majority of these earth-friendly cars have been manufactured in the past six to seven years, which means they have been manufactured under much stricter government safety regulations.
Earth-friendly cars also tend to be made out of more impact-resistant materials, have brighter lights, and have air bags not only in the dashboard and steering wheel but also at the sides of the car.
What to Do When a Car Is Damaged in a Natural Disaster
Does car insurance cover natural disasters? When a person’s car is damaged in a natural disaster or by the effects of a natural disaster, they should contact their car insurance provider as soon as possible to file a claim.
They should take photographs of the damage and provide their car insurance company with any relocation or contact change information. With some natural disasters, there could be a time limit to file a claim.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does car insurance cover damage from natural disasters?
It depends on the type of coverage you have. Comprehensive car insurance typically covers damage from natural disasters, including hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, hailstorms, and wildfires. However, standard liability or collision coverage alone may not cover such damages. It’s important to review your insurance policy or consult with your insurance provider to confirm the extent of coverage for natural disasters.
What does comprehensive car insurance cover in relation to natural disasters?
Comprehensive car insurance provides coverage for damage to your vehicle caused by events other than collisions with another vehicle. This can include damage from natural disasters, such as:
- Floods: Water damage to your car from flooding caused by heavy rains, storms, or overflowing rivers.
- Hailstorms: Dents, cracks, or shattered windows caused by hailstones.
- Hurricanes and windstorms: Damage from high winds, falling trees, or flying debris during a hurricane or windstorm.
- Earthquakes: Damage to your vehicle resulting from seismic activity.
- Wildfires: Damage from fire or smoke due to a wildfire.
How can I compare car insurance coverage for natural disasters?
When comparing car insurance coverage for natural disasters, consider the following factors:
- Comprehensive coverage: Ensure the policy includes comprehensive coverage, which protects against damage from natural disasters.
- Deductibles: Review the deductible amount for comprehensive coverage. A higher deductible may lower your premium but means you’ll pay more out of pocket in the event of a claim.
- Coverage limits: Check the coverage limits for comprehensive coverage. Make sure they are sufficient to cover potential damages caused by natural disasters.
- Additional coverage: Some insurance providers may offer optional add-ons or endorsements specifically for natural disaster coverage. Inquire about any additional coverage options available.
Is car insurance required by law to cover natural disasters?
Car insurance requirements vary by state and country. While liability insurance is typically required by law, coverage for natural disasters may not be mandatory. However, it’s highly recommended to have comprehensive coverage, especially if you live in an area prone to natural disasters.
What should I do if my car is damaged in a natural disaster?
If your car is damaged in a natural disaster, follow these steps:
- Ensure your safety: Prioritize your safety and the safety of others. Follow any evacuation or emergency procedures if necessary.
- Document the damage: Take photos or videos of the damage to your car from different angles. This documentation will be helpful when filing an insurance claim.
- Contact your insurance provider: Report the damage to your insurance provider as soon as possible. They will guide you through the claims process and provide instructions on how to proceed.
- Follow claim procedures: Provide the necessary information, including photos, a description of the damage, and any supporting documents requested by your insurance provider.
- Arrange for repairs: Once your claim is approved, work with the insurance company’s approved repair shops or follow their guidelines to get your car repaired.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap car insurance rates.
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Zach Fagiano
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Zach Fagiano has been in the insurance industry for over 10 years, specializing in property and casualty and risk management consulting. He started out specializing in small businesses and moved up to large commercial real estate risks. During that time, he acquired property & casualty, life & health, and surplus lines brokers licenses. He’s now the Senior Vice President overseeing globa...
Insurance & Finance Analyst
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.