Chewed Wires? How Car Insurance Covers Hungry Rats and 4 Other Crazy Damages

Most drivers consider the usual protection they need when shopping for car insurance coverage. Some out-of-the-norm mishaps can happen to a vehicle when it isn't on the road that many drivers don't consider — until it happens to them. Then they're left wondering, “does my insurance cover rats eating my car? Does it cover falling space rocks that landed on top of my hood?”

As a driver of these interesting damages, you may be covered if you've got collision insurance. Collision insurance covers a variety of damages not caused by a driving accident. While car insurance regulations vary from state to state, many comprehensive insurance plans cover damages caused by animals (whether they’re eating your wires or you accidentally hit one), vandalism and even objects falling from the sky, such as meteors.

Comprehensive coverage includes expenses from damages caused by non-collision incidents, minus your car insurance deductible. While typically considered full coverage when bundled with collision coverage, comprehensive is less expensive than collision coverage, averaging about $134 a year. The reasonable price makes the additional coverage worth it to many drivers.

Be sure to check with your insurance provider to see if it covers these unexpected damages. If you don’t have a coverage plan that works with these damages when they occur, you may have to pay for the repairs yourself.

It’s no fun to get in your car after a long day at work to find out you can’t start your car. If a rat, squirrel or other mischievous rodent has your car wires as a snack, it can cause problems with essential functions. You might not be able to immediately see the damage, but if you see a check engine light or any other warnings on your dashboard, take your car to a mechanic. If it turns out to be chewed wires, then yes, most insurance plans with a comprehensive policy can help you with repair expenses. You might want to double-check with your provider to be sure this is part of your policy. If it is not included, you can ask for options to add the coverage or shop for another insurance plan if this happens often.

It might help to take some preventative actions before hungry rats and rodents turn your car into a free buffet. Parking your car in a garage and away from areas where rats may frequent can help. You can also keep food out of your car, which may be attracting them. You can purchase rodent tape to help protect your wires. Some rodent tape is coated with a very spicy flavor that deters rats from even attempting to chew your wires.

No matter where you live, you'll likely encounter creatures great and small on and off the road. While most wildlife tends to shy away from motor vehicles, damage may result when animals come into contact with a car, especially when you are on those dark drives.

Four-legged pedestrians can be an obstacle for drivers, especially in rural areas. Comprehensive coverage typically covers damage from hitting an animal, such as a deer, bird, or raccoon. This means that if you collide with an animal while driving, car insurance does cover hitting a deer and other animals and will usually pay for the repairs, minus your deductible. But if you swerve to avoid the animal and hit another object, the damage might be covered under collision coverage instead.

Depending on where you live, weather can pose a threat to your car. Hurricanes, tornados and other acts of nature have the power to knock over trees, cause rockslides and blow over structures on top of your vehicle. If you have a comprehensive insurance policy before the natural disaster, it can help with repair costs. You may have to pay a car insurance deductible when you file a claim.

Some other natural disasters covered, but may not be limited to, are floods, earthquakes, sinkholes, mud and landslides, wildfires and hailstorms. It’s a good idea to confirm with your insurance provider, so you know before you are caught in a natural occurrence.

Although rare, it's possible that an object from space — such as a meteor or satellite — could fall on your vehicle. Coverage for this type of damage is typically included under the comprehensive plan. However, if falling debris causes an accident, your collision insurance's liability portion will cover related expenses.

If you experience windshield damage caused by rocks or other objects falling off another vehicle on the road, your comprehensive plan will typically pay all or a portion of the cost to fix the damages. You should still check with your insurance provider to ensure that your policy covers objects falling on your vehicle.

If your car is damaged due to vandalism, during a theft or an angry ex-partner decides to take a sharp object to your paint job, it’s likely covered under your comprehensive insurance policy. Even if a thief didn't take anything, you should still be able to get a smashed window or pried-open door fixed through your auto insurance company. You may need to pay a deductible first.

Finding the right auto insurance company to protect you from potential damages is important as a car owner. If you ever find yourself facing unexpected damages, you need to file a damages claim with your insurance company. Here are five steps on how to file:

Each insurance company will have its own protocol and required documentation for filing a claim, so don't assume you have everything you need until you speak with your claims adjuster. It's important to note that insurance regulations vary by state, so do your research to understand the rules and requirements set by your state government before you need to file a claim.