Can Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Pole?

Car insurance may not cover the damage caused in accidents involving your vehicle and a pole. If you only have basic, liability insurance, you won’t be

covered. Choose collision or comprehensive insurance in order to be covered for these types of accidents.

How Common Is This Kind of Accident?

Hitting a pole or an animal is a very common accident, that many drivers will probably have to deal with at some point. From lamp posts to telephone poles, there are many kinds of poles around while you’re driving. It can happen if you’re driving too fast and lose control or while you’re driving slowly when parking or reversing.

• Weather conditions and patches of ice on the road can cause you to hit a nearby pole.
• Hitting a pole can also be part of a major accident – or part of avoiding one. If you’re in a situation where you’re forced to swerve to avoid a pedestrian or oncoming vehicle, hitting a pole might seem like a preferable alternative to a head-on collision.
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs can also impair judgement and cause accidents such as this.

Should I Choose Collision or Comprehensive Coverage?

Choosing collision insurance should mean you’re covered for all kind of collisions – including with stationery objects such as poles. Choosing comprehensive coverage should mean you’re covered for almost any accident or incident- including damage through hitting a pole or other fixture, as well as fires, rock-slides and theft.

Insufficient coverage could mean that you will be responsible for all of the damage caused in accidents like this.

Whether collision or comprehensive insurance is worth it to you is dependent on several factors, including:

• What you can afford
• Value of your car
• The environment you live or regularly drive in

If you’re struggling to pay your existing monthly payments, increasing them may not be an option for you. As long as you have the basic insurance required for your state, you have what you legally need to drive.

If your vehicle is older and worth a lesser amount of money, it might not be worth paying more each month for full coverage. If you’re looking to replace the vehicle soon anyway, consider whether you’d be better off putting aside the extra money collision or comprehensive insurance would cost you to fix the vehicle or buy a newer car should an accident occur. If you own a newer vehicle that’s of a higher value that you know you can’t afford to replace, collision or comprehensive insurance is most likely worth it for you.

If you live in a city where theft or vandalism is common or an area with unpredictable weather patterns, including hail and flooding, comprehensive insurance may be the best option for you.

When choosing whether or not collision or comprehensive insurance is right for you, you might also need to consider the cost of medical bills. If you’re hurt in an accident, the type of coverage you have will determine whether your insurance covers medical care.

If you’re unsure whether collision insurance is worth it to you, call and get a quote. It’s may not cost you much more than the basic coverage you’re already paying for.

What Should I Do If I Hit a Pole?

If you have hit a pole, call your insurance company right away to report the damage and find out if you’re covered. Waiting to report a claim can result in denial.

If you haven’t had an accident yet, take the time to find out what your current policy covers to ensure you’re protected in the future.

Contact Us for Coverage

If you have any additional questions regarding car insurance or are looking for additional or alternative options at a competitive rate. Please do not hesitate to call Insure on the Spot! We offer free Chicago Auto insurance quotes as well as SR22 Insurance Chicago!