Does my auto insurance cover bullet holes?

Auto insurance covers accidents on the roads, but what about other damage? Does auto insurance cover bullet holes? While standard insurance does not usually cover bullet damage, comprehensive coverage does.

Below, discover how to purchase comprehensive insurance that covers bullet holes and read about the cost to repair bullet holes in a car.

After learning how to buy auto insurance that covers bullet holes, enter your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool above to compare rates from the top companies near you.

Does auto insurance cover bullet holes?

Some auto insurance policies do cover bullet holes and damage caused by a shooting. However, it depends on state laws where you live, the types of coverage you invest in, and how the damage occurred.

For example, your state minimum liability coverage does not cover bullet holes in your own vehicle.

It only covers the medical and property damage you cause to a third party if you’re ever found at fault for an accident. Instead, you must invest in comprehensive auto insurance.

Comprehensive coverage, also known as parked car coverage, pays for unexpected and unavoidable damage to your car while it is parked.

This includes auto theft and damage from acts of nature, animals, riots, vandalism, fires, and flooding.

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Do you have to pay a deductible to file a claim for bullet holes?

A deductible also applies, typically around $500, but you can choose higher or lower limits.

Bullet holes are usually caused by an event outside of your control, so companies typically view this as a form of vandalism or something similar.

Find your state in the table below to see how much quotes for comprehensive auto insurance that covers bullet holes may cost you annually on average.

Average Annual Comprehensive Auto Insurance Rates by State

Nationally, comprehensive auto insurance rates cost $12.33 per month or $148.08 annually on average.

But where can you buy auto insurance that covers bullet holes? Does Progressive cover bullet holes? What about other insurers? Does Geico cover bullet holes as well?

Fortunately, yes. You should have no issue finding an auto insurance company that covers bullet holes, as almost all of the national insurance companies underwrite comprehensive insurance policies.

However, no matter what company you use to file a claim, the cost of the damage must exceed your deductible amount.

Finally, if you’re wondering if having bullet holes in a car is illegal, don’t worry. You can still drive a car even if it has a bullet hole in it.

When should I file an auto insurance claim for bullet holes?

Filing multiple insurance claims sometimes causes your rates to increase. So there are times when it doesn’t make sense to file one.

Most drivers are better off paying for minor repairs out of pocket rather than filing claims.

But, fortunately, non-fault comprehensive claims typically do not affect your rates as negatively as at-fault claims.

So, when it comes to bullet holes, you should file a claim if the cost of damage exceeds your comprehensive insurance deductible limits.

Cosmetic bullet hole damage typically costs around $50 to $150 to repair and might not be worth a claim.

If the repair costs are less than your deductible, your insurance company will not pay you anything.

For those wondering how to fix bullet holes in a car, mechanics may use a spot weld to patch the back of the hole, or they may use replacement panels, or parts painted the same color as your vehicle.

However, if the bullet damages your air bags, the vehicle upholstery, or other vital mechanical elements of your car, the costs may exceed $5,000. In this scenario, filing a claim makes sense.

While selecting higher deductibles leads to cheaper monthly insurance rates, be careful not to choose limits that are so high you’re negating the utility of the policy.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average claim cost for comprehensive insurance in 2020 was $1,995.

Does auto insurance cover a shooting?

Finding a bullet hole in your parked vehicles is one thing. But does auto insurance cover a shooting?

Auto insurance laws vary by state, so where you live impacts if your auto insurance policy covers you when you’re the victim of a shooting.

For example, in 1994, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that a drive-by shooting victim was entitled to medical benefits from his father’s personal injury protection (PIP) auto insurance policy.

However, PIP coverage is traditionally only underwritten and required in no-fault states like New Jersey. In most tort states, the coverage is not even available.

Plus, similar lawsuits followed the 1994 court ruling in other locations, and some state courts ruled against the shooting victims.

In some states, uninsured motorist coverage may help cover damages caused by a shooting or other road rage incidents, but again, it depends on the hit-and-run laws where you live.

For more individualized information, speak with a legal expert in your area.

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Case Studies: Auto Insurance Coverage for Bullet Holes

Case Study 1: Comprehensive Coverage Saves the Day

John owns a vehicle with comprehensive auto insurance coverage. One morning, he discovers bullet holes on his parked car, presumably from an act of vandalism. Since John has comprehensive coverage, he is eligible to file a claim for the repairs. He contacts his insurance company, provides them with the necessary information, and submits the claim.

The insurance company evaluates the damage and approves the claim. They arrange for John’s car to be taken to a repair shop, where the bullet holes are fixed professionally. The insurance company covers the cost of repairing the bullet holes, minus John’s deductible. John is relieved that he had comprehensive coverage as it protected him from having to pay for the repairs out of pocket.

Case Study 2: Limited Coverage, Limited Assistance

Sarah, on the other hand, only has the minimum liability coverage required by her state. She wakes up one morning to find bullet holes in her car. Unfortunately, her insurance policy does not cover this type of damage since it only provides liability coverage for damages she may cause to others. Sarah realizes she will have to bear the financial burden of repairing her car on her own.

She seeks out a reputable repair shop and obtains an estimate for the repairs. Sarah pays for the repairs and associated costs out of pocket, as her insurance policy does not offer any assistance for the damage caused by the bullet holes.

Case Study 3: High Deductible, Limited Reimbursement

Mike has comprehensive coverage, but he opted for a high deductible to lower his monthly premium. When his car gets shot at and sustains bullet holes, he files a claim with his insurance company. The insurance company assesses the damage and determines that the cost of repairing the bullet holes falls below Mike’s deductible amount.

As a result, Mike receives no reimbursement from his insurance company. He realizes that by choosing a high deductible, he effectively self-insured for damages below that threshold. Mike is disappointed that he will have to bear the financial burden of the repairs, but he learns a valuable lesson about the trade-off between lower premiums and higher deductibles.

Case Study 4: Timely Reporting and Investigation

Emily notices bullet holes on her car one evening and suspects vandalism. She promptly contacts her insurance company to report the incident. The insurance company guides her through the claims process and instructs her to file a police report. Emily follows the instructions and provides all the necessary information to the insurance company.

They initiate an investigation into the incident. After evaluating the police report and conducting their own inquiries, the insurance company determines that the bullet holes were indeed a result of vandalism. They approve Emily’s claim and cover the cost of repairing the damage, minus her deductible. Emily is grateful for the prompt assistance and support from her insurance company.

Case Study 5: Exclusions and Coverage Limitations

Mark’s car is parked in his driveway when it gets shot at, leaving bullet holes. He files a claim with his insurance company, which he believes covers comprehensive damages. However, upon reviewing the policy, the insurance company informs Mark that his policy specifically excludes damages caused by firearms.

Mark is disappointed to learn about this exclusion, as he was not aware of it. He realizes that he should have thoroughly reviewed his policy to understand the coverage limitations. Mark is left to cover the cost of repairing the bullet holes on his own, as his insurance policy does not provide any assistance in this situation.

Case Study 6: Non-Disclosure and Claim Denial

Jennifer files a claim with her insurance company after her car was shot at, resulting in bullet holes. During the investigation process, the insurance company discovers that Jennifer failed to disclose a previous incident where her car was involved in a similar situation. As a result, the insurance company denies her claim based on non-disclosure of relevant information.

Jennifer is disappointed as she believed her policy covered this type of damage. However, she realizes that she should have been upfront about her previous incident, and she learns the importance of full disclosure when dealing with insurance claims.

Case Study 7: Second Vehicle Coverage

David has two cars, and he has comprehensive coverage for both vehicles with the same insurance company. One day, his primary car is parked on the street and gets shot at, resulting in bullet holes. David files a claim with his insurance company and provides all the necessary information. The insurance company approves his claim and arranges for the repairs on his primary car.

Since David has multiple vehicles insured with the same company, they offer him a rental car while his primary car is being repaired. David appreciates the convenience and assistance provided by his insurance company, ensuring that he can still go about his daily activities while his car is in the repair shop.

Case Study 8: Disputed Claim Resolution

Karen’s car is damaged by bullet holes, and she files a claim with her insurance company. However, during the investigation, the insurance company suspects that the damage might not have been caused by vandalism but rather by negligence or intentional actions on Karen’s part. They deny her claim, citing the policy’s exclusion for damages caused by intentional acts.

Karen disagrees with their assessment and provides additional evidence to support her claim that the bullet holes were indeed the result of vandalism. The insurance company reviews the new information and reconsiders their decision.

After careful evaluation, they accept Karen’s claim and cover the cost of repairing the bullet holes, minus her deductible. Karen is relieved that the dispute was resolved in her favor and that her insurance company acknowledged the validity of her claim.

Does auto insurance cover bullet holes: The Bottom Line

Typically, auto insurance covers bullet holes that appear on your parked car as long as you invest in comprehensive coverage.

Fortunately, comprehensive coverage is both affordable and available in every state.

However, state laws impact when and how auto insurance covers shootings, bullet holes, and other potential hit-and-run scenarios. So when in doubt, speak to a reputable legal expert near you.

Now that you’ve compared affordable auto insurance that covers bullet holes, secure your best auto insurance coverage by entering your ZIP code into our free quote comparison tool below.

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