Does auto insurance cover shopping cart damage?

When people visit retail stores, they often don’t put their shopping carts back where they belong, leading to runaway shopping carts. The last thing you want is to come out of a store and see that a shopping cart damaged your car. Unfortunately, this kind of thing isn’t uncommon.

So what happens when a shopping cart damages your car? Do you call the insurance company? Are you covered for that kind of incident? Read on to find out.

Before you learn more about how shopping cart damage is covered by your auto insurance, see how much you could be saving. Compare car insurance quotes today by using our free rate tool above.

Does car insurance cover shopping cart damage?

Not all auto insurance types cover shopping cart damage, so make sure you know your options for shopping cart damage and auto insurance. You might be thinking, “A shopping cart hit my car; does collision or comprehensive insurance cover this?”

In some cases, it might. However, basic liability insurance won’t cover you since it doesn’t apply to damages to your own vehicle. Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage are types of property damage coverage, so you’ll need them if a shopping cart damages your car. Which one will apply depends on the nature of the incident — for example, was it caused by wind rolling the cart into your car or another person? To ensure you’re covered, it’s best to have both.

Even if you are covered, it might be cheaper to pay for the repairs out of pocket than to pay the deductible and have your insurance company cover the cost. In most cases involving minor repairs like damage from a shopping cart, paying out of pocket is the best option. Remember, whenever you file a claim, you increase the chances of your rates going up.

Is the store liable to pay for the damage to your car?

In most cases, you can’t make a strong case that the retailer is at fault for shopping cart damage to your vehicle. If the store provides a safe place to store carts, it’s generally not responsible for customers failing to use it. To have a legitimate case, you would need to show there was negligence on the part of the business.

What does shopping cart damage look like?

First off, you might be wondering what kind of damage a shopping cart does. Shopping carts can cause little dings in your car or even a larger dent, depending on how fast the cart was going when it hit your car.

A shopping cart typically won’t cause too much damage other than minor scratches or dents. You probably won’t experience any broken glass or significant damage to your bumper. However, repairs may be more extensive if the dents are in a difficult-to-repair spot.

How much will it cost to repair the damage?

The cost to repair shopping cart damage varies. You might get away with a simple paintless dent repair, or you might even be able to pop the dent out yourself, depending on its location.

You’re probably looking at minor repair costs, but it could be more depending on the extent of the damage. Small dents of an inch or so in size may only cost around $100 to repair, while major ones can cost hundreds or thousands to fix — it all depends on the dent size, vehicle type, and damage location.

Finding Auto Insurance That Covers Shopping Cart Damage 

Now that you know that auto insurance likely covers shopping cart damage and how much it typically costs to repair, you can start shopping for a policy that works for you. Get comprehensive and collision coverage — not just basic liability — to ensure you can file a claim if you face damage from a shopping cart.

If you’re looking to change companies because of a rate increase after a shopping cart collision claim, shop around. Enter your ZIP code into our free rate tool below to get started.