Will my car insurance cover me if I hit a lamppost?

If you’ve hit a tree, driven into a lamppost, or run into a fence, wall or anything else solid enough, you might be looking at serious damage to your car, and possibly your health.

Whether your car insurance will cover the accident depends on your policy, and the situation.

Which policies cover this type of damage?

Generally, the only kind of policy that will pay out for this kind of accident is comprehensive car insurance.

The only circumstances where cheaper third-party fire and theft car insurance will generally cover you are if:

• a thief stole your car and then drove it into a tree, a lamppost or other solid object; or
• an uninsured driver (without at least third-party insurance of their own) was responsible for you running into the lamppost.

If you have comprehensive car insurance then it should cover the cost of repairs to your car, in line with the policy terms.

For example, your policy will probably cover the cost if you accidentally skidded on a wet road, despite driving prudently; or if you had to swerve to avoid a dog on the run.

However, you probably won’t be able to make a claim if you hit the lamppost because you were driving whilst drunk, or even if you were driving sober but refused to take a drug or alcohol test at the scene of the accident.

Would I have to pay for damage to the lamppost?

It depends on who the lamppost belongs to and the exact circumstances of the crash, but typically yes, you will have to pay for the damage.

Fortunately, your car insurance should cover the cost – if the lamppost is owned by someone other than yourself, they would be referred to as the third party and likely covered by most car insurance policies.

What should I do after an accident?

If you’ve been involved in an accident, you should take the following steps:

• Assess the situation. If it’s serious, for example if someone is injured, then you should call emergency services.
• Gather information: Record any information that will be required. If reasonable to do so, write down the details of the accident while it’s fresh in your mind and take photos, or have someone take them for you.
• Decide who to call: Call emergency services first if necessary. You should also call your insurer as soon as reasonably possible. The insurer can usually arrange a tow truck, approve the cost of towing if needed, and may also be able to approve necessary repairs quickly.
• Wait at the scene: Unless it is unsafe, you shouldn’t leave the scene until towing has been arranged. If your car is damaged, you shouldn’t attempt to drive it away. Doing so might cause further damage and jeopardise your claim.

Will I be fined?

Generally not; car accidents themselves are not a fineable offence. However, the driving that causes them might be. If you do get fined after running into a lamppost or a tree it’s probably for the traffic offence that led to the accident, rather than the accident itself. Fines are not covered by car insurance so you would pay out of your own pocket for this.

You won’t be “fined” for damage to the pole, tree or other property either, but you might be held liable for the cost of repair. This will generally be covered by all car insurance policies.

Am I covered if I hit road debris?

Yes. Hitting road debris can be covered in the same way as hitting a pole.

The main difference is that if you hit road debris, it’s probably less likely to be your fault than hitting a tree. It’s possible that whoever was responsible for it being on the road might be held liable, in which case their third-party car insurance may pay for the damage to your vehicle.

However, this can only happen if the person responsible can be identified.

Frequently asked questions

• What if it wasn't my fault?

  Whether or not the accident was your fault, it’s likely that you’ll have to pay for the damage to the lamppost. However, you needn’t worry too much as your car insurance should cover this as it falls into the category of third party insurance.

• Will my car insurance cover repair costs?

  Generally, yes. Any damage to your car or the lamppost should be covered by your car insurance.

• What else will comprehensive car insurance cover me for?

  As well as encounters with rogue lampposts, comprehensive car insurance can have you covered for a variety of scenarios. A typical policy will protect against flood or storm damage, malicious acts, fire and theft, accidents or collisions and injury to other people and damage to their property. You can find out more about comprehensive cover on our dedicated page.

• What's an excess?

  Car insurance excess is the amount you have to pay towards a claim. So, for example, if you have a claim worth £1000 and an excess of £100, you’ll receive £900 from your insurance provider. Most comprehensive policies let you choose the amount of excess yourself.