Car insurance is designed to help individuals and businesses in their time of need. It is important to be prepared when something happens to your vehicle. So if your car is damaged at the dealer, you might assume that you can claim it on your auto insurance policy.

Generally speaking either your insurance policy, the dealer’s liability policy, or someone’s else’s entirely might kick in to pay for the damages.

Read on to learn what happens in some of the various car dealership accident scenarios and then be sure to use the free quote finder on this page to do a full auto insurance comparison!

When the Damage is Caused by the Dealership

A lot of coverage questions are answered based on who is at fault in an accident or damage causing event. Typically, an auto accident is covered by the person who caused the damage. However, in some state both parties’ insurance pay for their own damage. The state you live in will have a bearing on this.

There are many different reasons that your car could receive damage while at a dealer. If you car is there for repairs, it could be damaged in the garage, by the mechanic who is driving your vehicle, or in the waiting area. If you are at a dealer looking at new cars, you could have an accident in the parking lot with another vehicle or even with one of the cars on the lot.

Whatever the reason for the damage, if it was caused by the dealership, their insurance liability should cover the damage. If a dealership only has legal liability, then the negligence of the dealer is covered, but if it your fault, no coverage will be available. If the dealer has direct coverage, no matter what happens on the dealership lot or whose fault it is it will be covered.

If you are going to leave your car at a dealership for any length of time for a repair, you should ask what insurance coverage they have. Even if your car will only be there while you test drive another car, you may still want to ask about their insurance coverage should something happen to your vehicle. Many times dealership parking lots and garages are busy and spaces are tight with cars so you can never be too careful.

When the Damage is Your Fault

If the damage caused by an accident on the dealership property is your fault, your insurance might cover it depending on what type of coverage you have and what type of accident you had. Liability alone only pays for damage to the property of others, not your own vehicle. Most accidents on a dealership lot will be fender benders. Typically no one is driving fast, and even though the space is tight, not a lot of cars are moving around.

If you have comprehensive coverage, your vehicle will be covered for a number of instances. Comprehensive coverage is the most extensive type of coverage protecting you in the case of an accident, natural disaster, vandalism, or any other event. If you have collision coverage, you are covered if you are in an accident with another vehicle or collide with another object.

Should you have an accident at a dealership that is your fault, you can file a claim with your company for the damage. If the fault is hard to determine, you may want to do a 50/50 fault claim or speak with the dealership about their liability insurance situation. It can be tricky to determine what to do in a situation like this, so you can contact your insurance company as well.

Do You Have the Right Auto Insurance Coverage?

This information may lead you to ask if you have the right coverage. Should something happen at a dealership or anywhere else you want your finances to be protected. Not have the right coverage will put you at financial risk or risk of losing your vehicle. Having the proper coverage will protect you and your assets. The best way to see if you have all the coverage you need is to compare several different companies online.

Using an online comparison tool can help you see what different companies have to offer. You simply enter your information once, answer a few simply questions, and receive quote and rate information quickly. It saves you a lot of time and energy going website to website or making phone calls. You can compare rates, coverage, and quotes side by side with our comparison tool today to make sure you have the coverage you need.

Enter your zip in to start with your free online car insurance comparison now!