Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Pole?

Accidents involving other vehicles aren't the only risks you have to consider as a responsible driver. While your car insurance policy can protect you from multiple types of collisions, it's critical to know you have the right type of coverage first. If you ever hit a stationary object like a telephone or power line pole, you'll want to be certain you're properly covered.

Luckily, a local independent insurance agent can help review your policy with you to be sure you have all the coverage you need. They can also get you set up with any additional coverage you may want to add to your policy. But first, here's a closer look at when and how car insurance can cover hitting a pole.

Table of Contents

• Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Pole?
• How Is Hitting a Pole Covered by Car Insurance?
• How Much of the Damage to My Car Is Covered After Hitting a Pole?
• How Much Do I Have to Pay If Car Insurance Doesn't Cover All the Damage?
• If Car Insurance Won't Cover Hitting a Pole, What Will?
• Do I Have to Report the Incident to the Police?
• Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After Hitting a Pole?
• Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent?

Does Car Insurance Cover Hitting a Pole? 

While no one intentionally hits a pole, unfortunately, it happens. Most people might think that car insurance will automatically cover hitting a pole, especially if the factors that led to you hitting the pole were out of your control. However, insurance will only cover hitting a pole if you have collision coverage included in your policy. 

• Collision coverage: Pays for damage to your car from a collision with another object, such as a pole, regardless of fault. 

While collision coverage is optional and goes beyond the legal minimum requirement for car insurance in many states, it can be a good idea to have it for situations just like this. 

Additionally, drivers in nearly all states are required to have a minimum amount of liability coverage, which could cover damage to the pole itself. Liability insurance can pay for repairs or replacements to third-party property, so it could reimburse you for the cost of repairs to the pole you strike with your vehicle. 

How Is Hitting a Pole Covered by Car Insurance?

If you have collision insurance and you hit a pole, the first thing you want to do is call your independent insurance agent or your insurance company and file a claim. They'll open a claim, investigate the accident, and determine whether they'll cover the incident. You should also contact the local police department right away so they can investigate the damage. Your insurance company will likely request a copy of the police report from you when you file a claim.

If your insurance company determines that you will be covered under your policy, they will work with you to send your car to an approved body shop to get the damage fixed. From there, you just need to sit back and wait to hear from your insurance company. They'll work directly with the body shop to get your car fixed, and you'll be notified when your car is ready to be picked up. 

Remember that you'll have to pay your collision insurance deductible before any insurance coverage kicks in. So, if the cost of damage is $2,000 and you have a $500 collision deductible, your insurance company will pay up to $1,500 toward the repairs if your claim is approved. Your liability coverage may also kick in to cover the cost of damage to the pole you hit.

How Much of the Damage to My Car Is Covered After Hitting a Pole? 

Your insurance may cover all of the damage to your vehicle, up to your collision coverage limit, minus your deductible. Collision coverage will have a stated limit, which is the maximum amount your policy will pay toward a covered claim. Usually, the limit is the actual cash value of the vehicle at the time of the accident. As long as the damage from hitting the pole does not cost more than the value of your vehicle, then your insurance may cover the full amount of the repairs. 

Whatever the price, you will always have to pay your deductible. Your deductible amount will depend on your insurance policy and coverages and can range anywhere from several hundred to several thousand dollars. You may have opted for a higher deductible amount so your policy would have lower premiums, which means you'll have to pay more out of pocket before receiving reimbursement from your carrier for a claim.

How Much Do I Have to Pay If Car Insurance Doesn't Cover All the Damage? 

As long as you have collision coverage and the damage to your car is not more than the actual cash value of your car, your car insurance should cover the total cost of the damage. 

However, say that your car has a low actual cash value, like $5,000, and the damage to your car is $7,000. You would owe the difference between your policy limit ($5,000) and the cost of damage ($7,000). At this point, it's likely the car is not even worth fixing. It would be declared a total loss.

In this scenario, your insurance company may offer to send you a check for the total value of your car minus your deductible. If you had a loan or lease on the vehicle and still had more left to pay on it than its current actual cash value, gap insurance could reimburse you for this difference. Otherwise, if you have the proper coverage, your claim is approved, and your car isn't totaled, you shouldn't owe any more than your deductible.

If Car Insurance Won't Cover Hitting a Pole, What Will? 

You already know that you need the right kind of coverage to cover hitting a pole with your car. When building your car insurance policy, make sure you have the best coverage possible. You may want to consider getting a "full coverage" car insurance policy, which often includes liability coverage, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage, which pays for damage to your car due to a non-collision event such as a flood or theft. A full coverage policy isn't an industry standard item, however, so it may include other types of coverage beyond these.

Do I Have to Report the Incident to the Police?

If you hit a pole with your vehicle, it's critical to contact the police ASAP from the scene. Fleeing the scene can be considered a hit-and-run, which is illegal. You may be ordered to compensate the city for damage to the pole. Additionally, if you strike a utility pole, such as an electrical power pole or telephone pole, there can be an immediate risk of being electrocuted if you step out of your vehicle onto the ground. Make sure to call the police from inside your vehicle and remain there until help arrives.

Will My Car Insurance Rates Go Up After Hitting a Pole?

Unfortunately, if you hit a pole with your vehicle, your car insurance rates will likely increase. This is because car insurance companies often categorize hitting a pole as a single-vehicle accident that's the driver's fault. Your car insurance rates will increase even more if you were driving under the influence of a substance or speeding when you struck the pole, which could lead to you also receiving a citation for a moving violation. The more traffic violations and accidents on your driving record, the more expensive your car insurance will become.

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Why Work with an Independent Insurance Agent?

Independent insurance agents know exactly which types of auto insurance you need to protect against various incidents, including hitting a pole. They can also shop and compare policies and rates from multiple carriers in your area to find you the best deal. And down the road, your agent can even file car insurance claims for you and update your coverage when necessary.