Vehicle damage during demonstrations: does insurance cover it?

The country is going through a difficult time in which, in addition to the financial crisis, people are increasingly expressing their opinions by holding street demonstrations. But what if you are driving and encounter them and your car is damaged? Will your insurance cover damage to your vehicle during demonstrations?

This will depend largely on what your policy covers, but in most cases, demonstrations, acts of war and similar events are not included in the policy and in cases of damage it will not be possible to count on it. This does not mean that your insurer does not have this service, it may even exist, but in this case it will be additional coverage.

If your insurance company has this option, you need to carefully consider whether it will be necessary, especially since covering damage to the vehicle in demonstrations can cause the value to increase considerably, so you need to do the calculations and assess the risks calmly.

How to avoid damage

Many demonstrations are reported in advance, and social media has made this much easier. In this case, the best thing to do is to avoid passing through the area where they are taking place, no matter how small, since the damage caused may not be proportional to the amount of damage.

And if you suddenly come across one of them, the tip is to never try to drive through it, always wait for the situation to calm down before moving on. Cars that try to “jump through” the demonstrations run a serious risk of being damaged.

Now, if your schedule doesn't allow you to avoid the demonstrations, it may be better to walk or use public transport that day to avoid risks and leave your car in the garage.

Is there any way to get compensation?

No one wants to have to bear the costs of damages caused by other people, and in these cases, to obtain compensation, it is necessary to resort to the courts. Appealing against the insured is not always a possibility of winning the case, since they inform you that the demonstrations were reported and that the driver assumed the risk.

Another possibility would be to file an appeal against the State, holding the government accountable since it has an obligation to guarantee the safety of people and their property. However, this can be a very time-consuming process and the final response will depend on several factors and assessments.

Therefore, to avoid damage to your vehicle during demonstrations, the best thing is to avoid them.

So, will I be held liable for vehicle damage at demonstrations?

As seen above, yes. If your auto insurance plan does not offer such coverage and the demonstration where your vehicle was hit was reported in advance, you will be responsible. You can even file a lawsuit, as already mentioned, but your chances of winning the case are minimal and the insurance company will be responsible for the damage to the vehicle in demonstrations.

According to the National Confederation of General Insurance Companies, it is essential that the insured reads the policy carefully before signing the contract. Among everything that you should be aware of, it is important to check the coverage you are purchasing. Also check about coverage for damages caused by popular demonstrations and whether or not your plan offers this coverage.

Discover 5 situations that can be resolved very quickly if you have car insurance.

CNSeg also emphasizes that the consumer needs to be aware of everything that is stated in the contract and, in case of doubts, always ask the broker before signing. This way, you will already be aware of whether or not the insurance company will be responsible for damage to the vehicle in demonstrations.