Recently, a NASA satellite broke up and fell to Earth. It ended up landing in a remote location in the South Pacific.
The question many were asking prior to it landing was whether or not one’s home or car would be covered if stricken by the NASA satellite.
The odds of a person getting struck by satellite debris has been calculated by NASA at 1 in 3,200. But the odds of you actually getting hit by a satellite is less than 1 in 10 trillion.
Still, if you are unfortunate enough to be in the satellite’s path, will your insurance cover the damage? If you have home insurance, the answer is likely to be “yes.”
As with every insurance policy, the first thing one must do is to actually read the policy to determine the scope of coverage. In most home owner policies, “falling objects” is a covered peril. Therefore, the falling satellite is likely covered.
On the other hand, your car may or may not be covered. It all depends on whether or not you carry comprehensive coverage.
Comprehensive coverage (sometimes called “comprehensive car insurance” or “other than collision”) typically pays for damages on covered costs that aren’t caused by a collision. For instance, it covers damages stemming from storms and natural disasters like tornadoes, hurricanes, and earthquakes, as well as Vandalism and theft, broken/shattered windows and windshield, animal damage, and falling objects – like a satellite. So if you have purchased comprehensive coverage, and your car is struck by a satellite, then odds are in your favor that you will have coverage for that loss.
Health insurance will also cover you for any injuries you sustained from being hit by a satellite. Should you happen to die after being struck by a satellite, and you have life insurance, then your designated beneficiaries should get paid as well.
Insurance coverage is purchased to cover unexpected expenses associated with rare situations like being struck by a satellite.
But even if you have purchased the correct insurance coverage, it is not uncommon for an insurance company to deny your claim. In such instances, our firm is prepared to assist you with your insurance claim.
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If you are facing a dispute over an insurance claim in Florida, contact Alvarez & Barbara, LLP toll free at 866-518-2913 for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights.