When a vehicle travels on a wet road, its tires need to displace the water to maintain contact with the pavement. Hydroplaning (or aquaplaning) is the sudden and terrifying loss of control that occurs when a film of water builds up between your car's tires and the road surface, causing the tires to lose traction entirely.
Given the sudden nature of these incidents, a common concern for drivers is who is liable for an accident caused by the weather. Does insurance cover a hydroplane accident, or will you be on the hook for any damage?
Does Auto Insurance Have Hydroplane Accident Coverage?
There is no specific hydroplane accident insurance policy, but the coverage you already carry can apply when your vehicle skids on wet roads and you crash. If you have collision coverage, it can help pay for repairs to your own car after a hydroplaning accident, though this may be subject to your deductible and the policy's
insurance limits for vehicle damage. And if you slide into another driver and are found responsible, your liability coverage can help pay for their injuries and vehicle damage.
When Can Auto Insurance Deny Coverage for a Hydroplaning Accident?
An insurer can deny a claim after a hydroplaning accident if the circumstances fall outside what your specific policy covers.
You Only Have Liability Insurance
If you only carry liability insurance, you will not have help paying for damage to your own car after a single-vehicle hydroplane crash.
Liability coverage is only for damages you cause to other people and their property.
The Insurer Believes You Were Negligent
Coverage may be denied if the insurer decides that negligence caused the accident, including:
- Driving too fast for conditions (e.g., speeding in heavy rain)
- Poor vehicle maintenance, such as severely worn or bald tires
- Hard braking or sudden steering while on a wet surface
In these situations, the insurer may argue that your own actions directly contributed to the crash.
You Were Driving a Rental Car
If you were driving a
rental car and didn’t buy the rental company’s damage waiver, your own insurance might not pay for the damage. A denial can happen if your personal coverage doesn’t apply to the rental you were driving.
Is Hydroplaning a No-Fault Accident?
