Insuring Success
Which Policy Covers Golf Ball Damage?
Once, a client of mine was driving near a golf course, and her windshield was broken by an errant golf ball. She stopped and asked the golfer what he was going to do about it. He told her not to worry. Her insurance would pay to replace it; just call the agent. She did, but she only had liability coverage and no comprehensive on her policy. She went back to the golf course but was unable to find the wayward golfer.
There was a bit of confusion by both parties in this situation. She wasn't sure of her policy coverage, and the golfer wasn't aware that his homeowner or renter's policy would cover his liability in that situation. Many times, people try to avoid taking responsibility for accidents because they think there's a deductible involved. But there's no deductible for a liability claim for property damage to others on either your auto or homeowner policy.
So you can understand why I frequently hear, "I just don't understand insurance." When a vehicle is new, and for at least the next 10 years, physical damage coverage (comprehensive and collision) is usually maintained. Comprehensive coverage is named appropriately; it covers just about everything other than collision. Collision protects your vehicle when colliding with another vehicle or structure. But then there's the collision with a deer that's covered under comprehensive. Then there was the claim for a cat using the front seat of his master's vehicle for a litter box, and the owner couldn't get rid of the smell, so he received a new front seat under his comprehensive coverage. On the homeowner insurance side, there was the claim for a dog chewing a hearing aid-the good news was that it wasn't still in the owner's ear at the time.
Just so you don't think I'm gender biased, I had a similar golfing experience as my client. I was playing in an outing, and the parking lot was just right of the first tee. I proceeded to hit my tee shot, which found its way into the parking lot. The vehicle it hit belonged to one of my foursome. How convenient for her-no opportunity for hit and run here. I was glad to take responsibility, and the claim was settled quickly under my homeowner policy.
It just goes to prove that life is good if you stay in the fairway. TPW
There was a bit of confusion by both parties in this situation. She wasn't sure of her policy coverage, and the golfer wasn't aware that his homeowner or renter's policy would cover his liability in that situation. Many times, people try to avoid taking responsibility for accidents because they think there's a deductible involved. But there's no deductible for a liability claim for property damage to others on either your auto or homeowner policy.
So you can understand why I frequently hear, "I just don't understand insurance." When a vehicle is new, and for at least the next 10 years, physical damage coverage (comprehensive and collision) is usually maintained. Comprehensive coverage is named appropriately; it covers just about everything other than collision. Collision protects your vehicle when colliding with another vehicle or structure. But then there's the collision with a deer that's covered under comprehensive. Then there was the claim for a cat using the front seat of his master's vehicle for a litter box, and the owner couldn't get rid of the smell, so he received a new front seat under his comprehensive coverage. On the homeowner insurance side, there was the claim for a dog chewing a hearing aid-the good news was that it wasn't still in the owner's ear at the time.
Just so you don't think I'm gender biased, I had a similar golfing experience as my client. I was playing in an outing, and the parking lot was just right of the first tee. I proceeded to hit my tee shot, which found its way into the parking lot. The vehicle it hit belonged to one of my foursome. How convenient for her-no opportunity for hit and run here. I was glad to take responsibility, and the claim was settled quickly under my homeowner policy.
It just goes to prove that life is good if you stay in the fairway. TPW