Does Insurance Cover Guardrail Damage After an Accident?

Guardrails and median barriers are vital safety features along highways and roads. These sturdy metal rails prevent vehicles from veering into oncoming lanes or plunging into dangerous terrain when accidents occur.

But what happens when your car hits and damages one of these guardrails? Will your auto insurance cover the cost of repairs?

Below we’ll explain how standard car insurance policies respond when you damage a guardrail or median barrier:

Which coverages pay for guardrail damage
What factors determine whether you or your insurer pays
Steps to take after a guardrail collision
How to avoid guardrail damage claims
When other parties may share responsibility
Options if your insurer denies a guardrail claim

Understanding these key points helps ensure you have the coverage needed to protect your finances if your vehicle hits a guardrail.

Which Auto Insurance Coverage Pays for Guardrail Damage?

Most standard car insurance policies have two coverages that can come into play when you hit and damage a guardrail:

Collision coverage – Pays to repair damage to your own vehicle after a collision with any object, including a guardrail. Subject to your deductible amount.
Liability coverage – Covers damage you cause to other people’s property, including government-owned guardrails and barriers. Usually has no deductible.

So if you strike a guardrail, collision coverage takes care of your vehicle repairs minus the deductible you pay out of pocket. Liability coverage pays for fixing or replacing the damaged guardrail so you don’t bear that cost.

Having both collision and sufficient liability limits is key to avoiding major expenses after a guardrail accident.

What Determines Whether You or Your Insurer Pays for Guardrail Damage?

In collisions involving guardrails, insurers determine fault based on these key questions:

Did the policyholder hit the guardrail intentionally?
Was the driver operating the vehicle legally at the time of impact?
Does the available evidence clearly show how the accident occurred?

If the answers suggest you acted deliberately, illegally, or the cause is unclear, your insurer may deny a guardrail damage claim under either collision or liability coverages.

However, damage from common accidents like skidding on ice into a guardrail or swerving to avoid another car will usually be covered. The insurer will pay as long as you cooperate fully with the investigation and don’t commit fraud.

Steps to Take After Hitting a Guardrail

To make the claims process smooth if you hit a guardrail, be sure to take these steps:

Move to a safe location if possible and call 911 to report the incident.
Take photos of the guardrail damage, skid marks, road conditions, and location.
Get contact details from any witnesses who saw the collision occur.
Obtain a copy of the police report documenting the accident once available.
Call your insurer as soon as feasible to start your claim. Provide all evidence you gathered.
Cooperate fully with the insurer’s investigation and settlement process.

Taking these actions helps substantiate your guardrail damage claim and simplifies the approval process.

How to Avoid Guardrail Collision Claims

The ideal scenario is avoiding guardrail collisions and damage in the first place. Here are some defensive driving tips to reduce the risks:

Stay focused on the road at all times – don’t get distracted by electronics or passengers.
Maintain safe following distance so you have ample braking room.
Slow down during inclement weather when roads get slippery.
Make smooth steering adjustments to stay in your lane and avoid overcorrecting.
Scan ahead to be ready to respond to road hazards or sudden stops.
Avoid impairment from alcohol, drugs, or drowsiness that slow reaction times.
Get vehicle issues addressed immediately that could impact braking, steering, or handling.
Allow extra guardrail clearance on tight curves or narrow shoulders.

Safe driving practices give you the best odds of never needing to file a guardrail damage claim with your insurer. But mistakes happen, which is why having ample coverage is essential.

When Other Parties Share Responsibility for Guardrail Damage

While you may be the one who physically hits a guardrail, liability for the damages is not always clear cut. Situations where other parties may bear some or all responsibility include:

Another driver caused the accident

If another motorist’s negligence – like unsafe lane changes or stopping suddenly – led to your collision with the guardrail, their insurer should pay part or all of the claim under liability coverage. Your insurer may subrogate to recover what they pay.

Poor roadway maintenance contributed

If there was debris, damaged asphalt, or other roadway defects that were a factor, the agency responsible for maintenance could share liability for the resulting guardrail damage.

Guardrail conditions were dangerous

Inadequate setback distance, damaged rails, or improper guardrail end treatments could also lead to liability for whoever maintains that stretch of highway if they likely contributed to the severity of the crash.

Unless you are clearly the sole at-fault party, your insurer will investigate these possibilities to see if other entities or insurers bear any liability.

What If Your Insurer Denies Your Guardrail Damage Claim?

If your insurer denies a guardrail collision claim, all hope is not lost. You have options, such as:

Appeal the decision – Present any additional evidence and argue why you believe their reasoning is mistaken.
Submit a complaint – Reach out to your state insurance regulator if you believe the insurer acted inappropriately.
Consult an attorney – A lawyer can review the claim details and advise if legal action against the insurer is warranted.
Repair the guardrail yourself – As a last resort, you can cover the repair costs out of pocket if the amount is manageable.

No one expects to crash into a guardrail. But being prepared with the right insurance coverages in case it happens can save you from potential financial distress. Protect yourself with collision and ample liability limits.

When The Insurance Adjuster Comes To See Your Car Damage, Beware!

FAQ

What type of insurance covers damage?

If you hit another car or a stationary object like a telephone pole (or if you roll over), you’ll be covered by collision insurance. If an animal or a non-stationary object such as a falling tree hits your car or it’s damaged by vandalism, fire or a natural disaster, you’ll be covered by comprehensive insurance.

What does full coverage insurance cover?

The term full coverage car insurance doesn’t refer to a special policy type, but rather to a policy that consists of liability, collision and comprehensive insurance. These three coverage types make for a solid foundation for the best car insurance policies.

Can a car go through a guardrail?

Moreover, sometimes guardrails can slow the car down and allow it to break through the barrier. Our guardrail injury attorneys know most guardrails are only useful with a vehicle traveling at a velocity of 62 miles per hour or less. So barriers can only prevent some car accident scenarios near you.

Does car insurance cover sand damage?

Sand Damage Restoration Is Covered This type of damage is covered under the comprehensive portion of your insurance policy since it is considered an Act of God, and usually comes with a lower deductible amount than your collision deductible.