Does auto insurance cover hitting a pole? (2024)
Collision insurance covers damage to your car when you hit another vehicle or object, including a pole. We'll explain exactly what to do if you hit a pole with your car and more below.
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Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as an insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the process simpl...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Sep 4, 2024
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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: Sep 4, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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You may be thinking, “I backed into a pole. Will my insurance cover it?” Most people think insurance covers damage if they hit a pole, but it depends. Collision coverage will cover vehicle damages, but if you only have liability coverage you could be on the hook for repairs. You’ll also want to consider any potential bodily injuries or other property damage resulting from hitting a pole.
Read on to learn what types of insurance coverage is out there if a car hits a pole, why it’s important to consider full coverage car insurance, and what to do when you hit a pole but there’s no damage.
Looking for cheap coverage after you backed into a pole with your car? Enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool above to instantly compare car insurance rates from the top providers and get covered for hitting a pole.
- Collision coverage covers damage if your car hit a pole
- Liability-only insurance policies do not cover repairs to your car after hitting a pole
- Collision coverage only applies for damages to your vehicle, not for any personal injuries or damage to the pole
How Car Insurance Covers Hitting a Pole
Does full coverage cover hitting a pole? Collision insurance helps pay for car damage expenses related to an accident with another vehicle or object, including hitting a pole in a parking lot. This coverage is important if you are at fault.
The insurance company will investigate the accident and determine whether they will cover the damage. If you are not at fault, your insurance company will work with the other driver’s insurance company to cover the costs of repairs and, in some cases, medical treatment.
The exact coverage will vary depending on the insurance policy and the circumstances of the accident. Still, in general, damage to your vehicle from hitting a pole is covered under collision auto insurance policies.
If you have collision coverage and your damage is less than the limit on your policy, then your insurance company will cover the total cost of the damage to your vehicle. However, if your car is totaled as a result of the accident, then your insurance company may offer to pay you for its value minus your deductible.
If you have the required insurance and your car isn’t totaled, you will never pay more than your deductible. For example, if you hit a pole and incur $2,500 in damage with a $500 deductible, you are liable for $500, while your insurance will cover the remaining $2,000.
You’ll always be required to pay your deductible if you file a collision claim with your insurance company. Setting a realistic deductible will help to ensure you can cover the costs of an accident.
Is hitting a pole considered an accident? Yes, hitting a pole is considered an at-fault accident that could raise your rates.
Will my insurance go up if I backed into a pole? If you file a claim after you backed into a pole, your rates will go up.
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How to Get Injury and Property Damage Coverage If You Hit Pole in Parking Lot
A top question readers ask is, “I hit a pole. Will insurance cover it if someone gets injured?” It’s important to note that collision coverage alone only applies to damage to your vehicle, not injuries to you or others or damage to the pole.
In such cases, you need medical payments/PIP and property damage liability coverage. PIP, or personal injury protection, is medical coverage that helps pay for your medical expenses after a car accident. This coverage applies no matter who is at fault in the accident.
Does insurance cover hitting a pole and the property damage? Property damage liability pays for damages to someone else’s property if you’re at fault in an accident. This type of coverage protects you from paying out of pocket if you damage someone else’s property, and it’s required in almost every state.
Now that you know the answer to, “Does insurance cover if I hit a pole?” we’ll what happens if you hit a light pole and what to do in that scenario.
What to Do if You Hit a Pole in a Parking Lot
The first thing you should do if you’re thinking, “I hit a pole with my car. What should I do?” is call the police. Report the incident to them in case there is any property damage. You should also contact your insurance company so you can file a claim.
Read More: Can I file an insurance claim without a police report?
Reasons You May Hit a Pole When Driving
Whether you hit an icy patch, drive under the influence, or try to avoid a collision with another car, you might swerve off the road and hit a pole. You may also accidentally hit a pole in a parking lot. Regardless of the underlying cause, it is important to know that you have the option to file a claim for damages.
A DUI conviction will almost certainly result in legal problems, but it may also cause problems with your car insurance. Depending on your state and your insurance company, they could cancel your insurance policy, require you to pay higher premiums, or treat you as a high-risk driver. In some cases, your insurance company may even refuse to renew your policy.
.@NHTSAgov Getting a DUI charge could cause your insurance premiums to sharply increase. #BuzzedDriving
— GEICO (@GEICO) June 28, 2017
If you’re facing DUI charges, it’s important to be aware of the potential impact on your car insurance. An experienced DUI attorney can help you understand the laws in your state and advise you on how to protect your rights.
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Why an Insurance Company Might Deny a Claim for Hitting a Pole
Why might an insurance company deny me if I hit my car on a pole? Insufficient coverage is one of the most common reasons car insurance may deny claims. Suppose you have a basic liability insurance policy. In that case, your claim for damage from hitting a pole may be denied because it only covers property damage and injuries to others, for example.
That’s why it’s important to be aware of your policy’s limitations and plan ahead to ensure you have proper coverage if you hit a pole or another object.
Collision Coverage in Case You Hit a Pole
Will insurance cover if I hit a pole? As a driver, you always hope to avoid hitting a pole. However, car insurance is there to provide financial protection if this happens.
Is hitting a pole comprehensive or collision? Your collision insurance policy will likely cover any damage to your car when you hit a pole or other solid objects, such as mailboxes or guard rails.
However, collision coverage alone won’t cover any injuries to yourself or others or even damage to the pole. Therefore, it would be best to have medical payments/PIP coverage and property damage liability.
If you’re wondering, “I hit a pole and damaged my car without insurance. How do I get covered?” compare car insurance options and quotes by entering your ZIP code below. You might be surprised by how much you could save.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does car insurance cover hitting a pole?
You may wonder, “What happens if you hit a pole with your car?” Collision insurance covers damage to your car when you hit another vehicle or object, including a pole.
Which coverage helps pay for repairs to your car from you backing into a pole?
Can I claim car insurance if I hit a pole? If you have collision coverage and the damage is within the limit of your policy, your insurance company will cover the total cost of the damage to your vehicle. If your car is totaled, the insurance company may offer to pay you for its value minus your deductible.
What about injuries and property damage?
Does car insurance cover if you hit a pole and get injured? Collision coverage only applies to damage to your vehicle. For injuries, you need medical payments/PIP coverage, and for property damage, you need property damage liability coverage.
Why might an insurance company deny a claim for hitting a pole?
Insufficient coverage is a common reason for claim denial. If your policy only covers property damage and injuries to others, your claim for hitting a pole may be denied.
What other coverage should I consider in case I hit a pole?
In addition to collision coverage, it’s recommended to have medical payments/PIP coverage for injuries and property damage liability coverage for damages to someone else’s property.
Is hitting a pole an at-fault accident?
Does hitting a pole count as an accident? Yes, hitting a pole is considered an at-fault accident in most scenarios.
Will car insurance cover a utility pole falling?
Yes, comprehensive coverage generally pays for non-collision-related repairs for your car, such as from falling objects.
How much does it cost if you hit a telephone pole?
How much does it cost if you hit a light pole or telephone pole? The cost to repair a telephone or light pole after a car hits it varies, but can range from several thousand dollars to over $10,000.
Will my insurance go up if I hit a pole?
You might wonder, “If I hit a pole, will my insurance go up?” If you end up filing a claim after hitting a pole, your car insurance rates will go up.
What happens if you hit a pole and leave?
You may be asking, “What happens if you hit a power pole and leave?” Leaving the scene after hitting a pole is considered a hit-and-run accident, which could result in criminal charges.
Do I call the police if I hit a pole in a parking lot?
Many readers have asked, “If I hit a pole, do I call the police?” Yes, you should call police, even if you hit a pole in a parking lot with no damage.
If you hit a telephone pole do you have to pay for it?
You might be wondering, “If I hit a pole with my car, do I have to pay for it?” Yes, you’re responsible for any property damage you cause, and car insurance may cover the costs minus any deductible.
Does insurance cover if I hit a pole with driving under the influence?
If you hit a pole, does insurance cover it if you were driving under the influence? Yes, your insurance should still pay out, but you’ll also face legal consequences and higher insurance rates.
Will my car insurance cover me if I hit a pole in a rental?
If I hit a pole, will my insurance cover it if I was in a rental? Your personal policy may cover damages after you hit a pole in a rental, unless you bought coverage from the rental car company.
If I hit a pole with my car, will insurance cover damages if I don’t have full coverage?
If you’re wondering, “I hit a pole with my car, will insurance cover it without full coverage?” the answer is no. If you don’t have full coverage, you won’t have coverage for your own vehicle after hitting a pole.
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Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Ty Stewart
Licensed Insurance Agent
Ty Stewart is the founder and CEO of SimpleLifeInsure.com. He started researching and studying about insurance when he got his first policy for his own family. He has been featured as an insurance expert speaker at agent conventions and in top publications. As an independent licensed insurance agent, he has helped clients nationwide to secure affordable coverage while making the process simpl...
Licensed Insurance Agent
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.