Liability Car Insurance

5 Terrifying Incidents of Cars Getting Destroyed by Weather

Accidents are well-known for destroying cars. Many vehicles have hit the junkyard after accidents left them totaled. However, the weather can also destroy your car and leave you dealing with insurance claims, paperwork, and a lack of transportation. Whether you live in the snowy North, the sunny South or somewhere in between, you may encounter severe weather that can harm your parked car.

1. Hail damage shatters windows on car, totaling it: When a hailstorm strikes, it can damage every car in its path. A hailstorm that struck Okemah, Oklahoma managed to destroy the siding and roofs of homes, and it took out several cars. This dangerous precipitation can do more than simply leave a few dents. One car was left with the sun room and back window completely missing. The front windshield of the same car was in place, but shattered. The only time a hailstorm could be good for your car is if you need a new paint job anyway. Make sure you have the right coverage because comprehensive coverage is required in order for any insurance company to cover hail damage.
2. Snow and plows destroy Nissan in blizzard: The blizzards of 2011 caused serious problems for cities like the District of Columbia and New York City. The owner of a 1995 Nissan Altima literally lost his car under the heavy snow in Queens. He assumed the car had been towed during the storm, yet he couldn’t find it in the city impound lots. Luckily, his car did turn up once the snow started to melt. Unfortunately, plow drivers had destroyed the vehicle. Unable to see the car in the mounting snow, the city plows had driven over the Altima and piled mountains of snow on top of it. The good news is that the owner can file a claim with the city for the damages. But that process will take months to complete. With comprehensive coverage, he could file a claim with his insurance provider and then allow them to collect damages from the city.
3. Falling snow crushes car in Troy, New York: The fear here isn’t snow that’s falling from the sky; it’s a massive clump of snow that suddenly falls from a building as a crushing avalanche. The owner of a car in Troy, New York recently discovered just how much damage a sudden onslaught of snow can cause. The owner of the Buick heard the snow fall followed by a loud crunching sound. She went out to discover the roof of her Park Avenue apartment was caved in and all the windows were blown out. While the owner of the building agreed to pay for the damage, comprehensive coverage with the insurance provider would have also paid for the damage to the car.
4. Flash flood totals 50 cars at apartment community: Floods don’t always occur after an extended period of rain; they can also strike quickly. In July of 2011, residents of New Brighton, Minnesota found themselves dealing with the misery of flash flooding. When six inches of rain poured down overnight, a creek and pond in the same area both overflowed. The result was a massive amount of water that destroyed 50 cars in one parking lot. Comprehensive coverage is necessary to take care of your car after a flood. This is important because cars that have been submerged in water are prone to electrical problems, mold, rotted gaskets, and a host of other problems.
5. Tornado wrecks more than 9,000 cars and trucks: The tornado that tore through Joplin, Missouri damaged more than 9,000 cars. Many were total losses after they were tossed through the air and dropped back down again blocks away. One resident had all three of his cars completely destroyed by the killer tornado. In addition to facing the damage to their cars, these residents also had to deal with the fees of rental car expenses having the cars towed from wherever they landed.