Does Insurance Cover Vehicles That Fall Through Ice?
It’s a treacherous winter for drivers in Minnesota and Wisconsin, where many lakes have thin ice due to fluctuating temperatures. Vehicle owners often wonder: if a car, truck, or SUV breaks through the ice, is it covered by insurance?
The short answer? Probably, but it depends.
A Risky Winter
Early snowfall followed by warmer weather has created hazardous ice conditions across the region. Many lakes in Minnesota and Wisconsin still aren’t safe for vehicles, even in February. Despite thicker ice on some northern lakes, vehicles have still been falling through, leading to costly retrieval operations as well as fines from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
What the Insurance Experts Say
According to Charlie Johnson of Holden Insurance in Superior, Wisconsin, many standard comprehensive insurance policies cover vehicle damage caused by going through the ice. “If you have comprehensive coverage, in most cases it is covered,” Johnson stated. He recommends drivers check their specific policies to be certain, as some policies even cover the cost of getting a vehicle out of the lake.
Johnson mentioned that he and another agent, Nick Korhonen, were recently discussing the common misconceptions around this coverage. He said that many customers are surprised to find that their policies provide coverage for these incidents.
The ‘Once-in-a-Lifetime’ Myth
Johnson also addressed the rumor of a “once-in-a-lifetime” coverage limit for this type of incident, saying that it is not accurate. However, using common sense is still advised. If a driver repeatedly drives a vehicle onto unsafe ice, the insurance company may drop coverage.
Ultimately, it’s always a good idea to check current ice conditions before driving on any frozen body of water. And, as with all insurance matters, reviewing your policy is the surest way to know if you are covered.
