Can a person's auto insurance be tapped to pay for property damage (stairs and hand rail) in a vandalism case?

Question

Let me clarfiy. Here, at the University of Nebraska, a student intentionally drove his pick-up into a stair case taking out part of it as well as the handrail. When police tracked his vehicle down at his home, the mangled handrail was found in the back of the truck. Since his truck was used to cause damage to someone else's property, couldn't the driver's auto insurance be used to cover the cost of repairs?

Answer 1

If it was accidental, his liability would probably pay. But, since it is intentional, his policy will NOT pay since there is an exclusion in the policy for intentional acts, sorry. The property policy covering the building should pay the damages, less the deductible. The insurance company may go after him personally for the damages they paid and the deductible(since his auto company will deny based on intentional acts).

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

If he hit it intentionally then there is no coverage. If it was an accident then yes, auto liability coverage would pay as it is not limited to covering other autos. It pays for damage to property. For example, street signs, mail boxes, brick walls etc would all be covered

Answer 4

The way you state it - no.

There's an exclusion in the auto property damage liability section, for intentional damages. If you deliberately ram another car, or in this case, a staircase (?? what the HELL was he thinking??) then your liability coverage does NOT apply. It's for ACCIDENTS, not ON PURPOSES.

You'll have to sue him in court.

Answer 5

Hell will freeze over before any insurance carrier pays for damage that a policyholder deliberately caused.

Answer 6

I wouldn't think so - auto insurance covers your auto. Homeowner's insurance would cover vandalism to your home....

Answer 7

good luck on that, not gonna happen