Do my auto or home insurance police cover mailbox damage?
Since 2013, the United States Postal Service has pushed through a measure that will save the agency billions of dollars. If homeowners require newly constructed homes to use curbside mailboxes like those used by millions of other homeowners and renters, the associated costs will be significantly reduced.
While the change favors cost-cutting efforts, it does come with some inconvenience for those used to traditional delivery to the door. However, that disadvantage does not compare to the real risk posed by the newly introduced location, close to the road: exposure to damage from car or other vehicle collisions.
Due to the fact that mailboxes located on the side of the road are in close proximity to the constant movement of cars and trucks, there is an extremely increased risk of them being hit and damaged.
Can I file a related insurance claim?
If another driver hits your mailbox, be sure to ask for their phone number and address, as well as their driver’s license information. After that, make an official police report and file an insurance claim with the driver’s car insurance. Buy another mailbox like the one you are replacing and save the sales receipt so there is proof of cost for the insurance reward.
As life progresses, you may not be home if another car damages your mailbox. So what, right?
Check your doors for contact information that may be left by a summoned police officer or the driver himself. You can also call the police and see if a police report was filed about the accident. In case you don’t discover a note with relevant contact information or something about an associated police report, be sure to file a police hit-and-run accident report as soon as possible. If that gets you nowhere, you can still opt for a homeowners insurance claim. However, be prepared for a total denial or a denial based on not meeting the deductible requirements.
In the event that your mailbox has been damaged due to vandalism, you can do one of the following:
• File a police report so that the vandal reimburses you when you are detained as part of a court decision.
• You can also see if your homeowners insurance policy will cover you for such an act of vandalism. Consult with your independent insurance agency for a professional view of the matter.
