Many drivers want to know if American Family Insurance covers rental cars, and the answer is yes in most situations. American Family Insurance covers rental cars when the rental car has the same coverage that already exists on your personal auto policy. This means if you have liability, collision, comprehensive, or full coverage on your insured vehicle, then those same protections will usually extend to the rental car. Your policy follows your personal vehicle and applies to rental cars used for personal use. This applies across the United States. American Family Insurance also offers rental reimbursement, which helps pay for the cost of a rental car when your own vehicle is in the repair shop after a covered accident. Not all drivers have this add on, so you must check your policy. If you only have liability coverage, you will not receive protection for damage to the rental car. Most rental agencies require collision and comprehensive protection, so American Family Insurance coverage must match those needs.
The most important part of this topic is understanding that your coverage mirrors your personal policy. If you have strong protection on your car, then your rental car receives the same level of protection. If your policy has higher deductibles, then the same deductible applies to the rental car if an accident or damage happens. Some drivers choose to buy rental car damage waivers from the rental agency to reduce risk. Others rely fully on their American Family Insurance policy if they have complete coverage. The choice depends on your budget, risk level, and comfort. Insurance companies treat rental cars in a similar way to borrowed cars, and this is a reason many drivers prefer a policy with full protection.
For drivers who want to understand how their car insurance reacts in different situations, reading guides on weather damage, mailbox incidents, and multi car accidents can help with deeper knowledge. This knowledge becomes useful when you drive rental cars because the same rules apply to liability and physical damage coverage.
What Natural Disasters Does Car Insurance Cover?
Comprehensive insurance covers most natural disasters that harm your car. Below are the main events included in this type of protection.
Hailstorms
Hail can crack glass, dent the roof and hood, and damage the paint. Many drivers file hail damage claims each year. Our page on hail damage claims explains more about how insurers handle this type of loss. Comprehensive insurance normally covers hail damage without problems.
Floods
Flooded streets can fill your engine with water, ruin electronics, and soak the interior. Liability does not help with this. Only comprehensive coverage pays for flood related repairs. You may read our guide on flood damage for more details.
Hurricanes
Strong winds, heavy rain, and flying debris can destroy cars during a hurricane. Many vehicles are left submerged after storm surges. This type of damage is covered when you have comprehensive protection. Our storm damage page explains how these claims work.
Tornadoes
Tornado winds can throw objects into your car, tip it over, or cause complete destruction. Comprehensive insurance pays for these losses. Even if your car is not hit directly, flying debris can still cause serious harm.
Lightning Strikes
Lightning can burn electrical systems or start fires inside your car. You can learn more about this topic in our detailed lightning damage page.
Wildfires
Smoke, heat, and falling ash can damage your paint, plastic parts, and interior. Flames can also melt exterior surfaces. Wildfire damage is usually covered by comprehensive insurance.
Falling Trees and Branches
Storms can knock trees down, leading to broken windshields or crushed roofs. This is also covered by comprehensive protection.
Natural Disaster Coverage Under Car Insurance
| Natural Disaster | Covered by Liability | Covered by Collision | Covered by Comprehensive |
| Hail | No | No | Yes |
| Flood | No | No | Yes |
| Hurricane | No | No | Yes |
| Tornado | No | No | Yes |
| Lightning | No | No | Yes |
| Wildfire | No | No | Yes |
| Falling Trees | No | No | Yes |
| Earthquake | No | No | Yes in most states |
How Comprehensive Coverage Protects You?
Comprehensive insurance pays when your car is damaged by natural forces. It is the only part of your auto policy that protects your car from weather events.
Comprehensive Coverage Usually Includes
- Flood damage
- Fire and smoke damage
- Hail damage
- Storm and wind damage
- Lightning related damage
- Damage from falling trees
- Damage caused by animals
- Theft and vandalism
If a sudden weather event damages your car, comprehensive coverage helps you pay the repair bill. If the car cannot be repaired, the insurer pays the actual cash value of the vehicle.
You can learn more about weather related protection in our page on weather damage to cars, which covers how policies respond to these situations.
How Full Coverage Applies to Natural Disasters?
Full coverage is a term many drivers use for a policy that includes liability, collision, and comprehensive insurance. The reason many drivers choose full coverage is simple. It protects you in more situations.
Full coverage helps when you cause an accident, when another driver hits you, and when natural disasters strike. If your full coverage policy includes comprehensive protection, your car is covered during weather related events. Collision coverage does not protect against weather or natural forces, but it helps when you hit another car or object.
You can review our section on full coverage to understand how each part of the policy works.
Common Natural Disaster Damage and Insurance Response
Natural disasters often cause several types of harm at once. Below are the most common issues and how insurance handles them.
Water Damage from Rain
Water can ruin electronics, cause mold, and damage the interior. We explain this in detail on our page about rain water damage and how insurance responds.
Storm Damage
Storm winds may break windows, dent the body, or blow debris onto the car. You can visit our storm damage coverage guide to see how these claims are processed.
Road Debris Damage
Storms leave branches and sharp objects on the road. Hitting debris can cause tire or underbody damage. Our page on road debris covers how insurance works in this situation.
How Much Will Insurance Pay After a Natural Disaster?
Insurance pays the actual cash value of your car minus your deductible. The payment depends on the cost of repairs and the value of the vehicle.
Example
- Repair cost is six thousand dollars
- Deductible is five hundred dollars
- Insurance pays the rest
If the repair cost is higher than the value of your car, the insurer may declare it a total loss. You can read more about total loss settlements on our guide on negotiating total loss claims.
Does Car Insurance Cover Natural Disasters in Every State?
Yes, natural disaster coverage works the same in all states when you have comprehensive insurance. Some states see more frequent natural events which may affect claim numbers.
States with Heavy Weather Activity
- Florida faces hurricanes and storms
- Texas faces tornadoes, hail, and floods
- California faces wildfires and heavy winds
- Midwest states face strong tornado seasons
Drivers in high risk areas often add comprehensive to stay protected.
Tips to Protect Your Car During Natural Disasters x`
Here are simple steps that reduce the chance of severe damage.
- Park in a secured garage
- Move your car away from trees during storms
- Avoid driving through flooded areas
- Seal windows and doors during heavy rain
- Follow weather alerts
- Keep a backup transportation option
- Always maintain active car insurance
If you want to lower your insurance costs while staying protected, visit our page on ways to save on car insurance.
Do You Need Extra Coverage for Natural Disasters?
Comprehensive coverage is usually enough for most drivers. Still, some optional protections can help.
Helpful Add On Coverages
- Rental reimbursement for temporary transportation
- Gap coverage when you owe more than the car value
- Roadside assistance during severe weather
Drivers in high risk zones should review their policy each year to ensure they have proper limits.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
No. Liability only pays for damage you cause to others. It never pays for natural disaster damage to your own car.
No. Collision applies only to accidents. Natural disaster damage falls under comprehensive insurance.
Yes. Comprehensive protection covers hurricane related damage. You can read more on our page that explains hurricane damage coverage.
Yes when you have comprehensive insurance. Rain water can cause serious harm to a vehicle. You can learn more by reading our guide on rain water damage and insurance.
Yes. Hail damage is very common in many states. Comprehensive coverage pays for repairs.
Yes when mold forms due to a covered weather event. Visit our mold damage page to learn when insurance applies.
Final Thoughts
Natural disasters can harm your car in many ways, and repair costs can be very high. Comprehensive insurance protects you from the financial impact of floods, storms, hail, fires, hurricanes, falling trees, and many other natural events. Liability and collision alone will not help in these situations. When you choose the right coverage, you keep your car safe and protect your budget during unexpected events. For more guidance and to compare quotes across trusted insurers, you can visit Alias Insurance.
