Are electrical fires covered by car insurance?

If you need car insurance coverage for electrical fires, you’ll most likely need to enroll in comprehensive coverage. This car insurance coverage can help you pay for fire damage repairs after an accident not caused by a collision.

When does car insurance cover electrical fires? Continue reading to learn when your auto insurance company would cover an electrical fire.

If you need to compare insurance companies, we offer a free online comparison tool that can help you find the comprehensive coverage you need.

Does car insurance cover electrical fires?

Whether or not your auto insurance will cover electrical fires will depend on a number of factors, including the type of car insurance you currently have. Comprehensive car insurance covers most non-collision events, which would include: 

• Theft
• Vandalism
• Fire
• Natural disasters/weather
• Falling tree limbs or other debris

As you can see, you are covered for many situations you have no control over, not the least of which is a fire. However, car insurance does not cover intentional bad acts by the insured.

When does auto insurance cover electrical fires? If you have comprehensive coverage, you can expect your car insurance to cover the cost once you meet your deductible.

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What is comprehensive car insurance?

As mentioned above, comprehensive car insurance is meant to cover any damage to your car that happened unexpectedly and not in a collision. This type of coverage can protect against anything from theft to dangerous weather conditions to animal-related damage while driving.

Comprehensive doesn’t focus on accidents or anything that happens to your car during a collision, but rather on the other incidents that can occur on the road. Hitting a deer, a tree falling onto the hood of your car, and even arson. 

How much does comprehensive car insurance cost?

According to Time, comprehensive coverage can run a customer around $136 a year. That price is in addition to the cost of minimum liability coverage required in your state. If you have to file a claim, you can expect your rates for this coverage to go up.

Comprehensive policies do depend on the individual, so your overall cost for comprehensive insurance may be different than other drivers you talk with. Factors such as the type of car you drive, your age, and where you’re located can all affect potential auto insurance quotes you receive.

What can cause an electrical fire in your car?

Vehicles naturally go through wear and tear throughout their lives, and sometimes that leads to a fire. Electrical fires can be more common in older cars, especially without proper maintenance. But what causes electrical fires to happen? It could be anything from an accident on the road to natural wear and tear.

Some of the more specific examples include:

• Collisions
• Leaking fuel systems
• Poor maintenance
• Overheating engines or catalytic converters

You can fix many of these things before they cause a fire. If you make sure your car is operating at its best, you can significantly decrease your chances of dealing with repairs or getting a new vehicle.

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What should I do during an electrical fire?

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the most important thing you can do is get everyone out of the car. Once everyone is safely away, you should:

• Pull over to a safe location where you don’t pose additional hazard to other drivers/are not in danger
• Call 911
• Don’t go back to the vehicle
• If you use a fire extinguisher, stand a safe distance away
• Be wary of dangerous vapors and other hazards from fire

The best advice you can take is to stand back and let the emergency workers put out the fire when it becomes unmanageable.

How can I prevent electrical fires in my car?

Since electrical or mechanical malfunctions commonly cause car fires, you’ll want to make sure you stay current on car maintenance. If you’re worried about vehicle fires, you can prevent them by:

• Fixing any fluid leaks as soon as you notice them
• Securing all fluid caps
• Taking your car to a mechanic if it is overheating
• Not smoking in your car

If you can take a little bit of time to ensure that your car is in excellent working condition, you can avoid the hassle of a fire.

How do I file a claim for electrical fires?

When your car catches fire, you should try to file a claim with your comprehensive coverage as soon as you put the flames out. To get repairs or money for a new vehicle, you should:

• Get evidence of the damages as quickly as possible
• Contact your insurance company
• Have the damages appraised and cooperate with any investigations
• Get your check once you meet your deductible

Your insurance company will be happy to help you get a new vehicle. However, you should be aware that one factor affecting the price of car insurance is how many times you’ve filed a claim.

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Car Insurance for Electrical Fires: The Bottom Line

Many car insurance companies will help you when your car catches fire. If you have a comprehensive car insurance policy, you’ll be covered by all manner of fire that occurs as a sudden accident.

Do you need quotes for car insurance coverage for electrical fires? Enter your ZIP code to see how much you could pay for comprehensive coverage today.

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