Road rage is a relatively new phenomenon that only seems to be getting worse. Road rage incidents can be sparked by almost anything from cutting someone off, to just looking at someone the wrong way. Anyone who drives is at one time or another annoyed by the actions, or inactions of other drivers, sometimes to the point of becoming angry. While some drivers leave it at just honking their horn or remaining quietly angry, others take it to the extreme. There have even been cases of assaults and even murders brought on by traffic disagreements.
With the randomness at which road rage can occur, some people wonder if they were to be a victim of road rage, would their car insurance company do anything? After all, it is something that can cause damages, involves cars and happens in traffic.
Well, according to the Insurance Information Institute, road rage incidents are “listed as an exemption in many auto insurance policies since any damage stemming from aggressive driving isn’t an accidental but rather caused by risky behavior.” A long way of saying no. Insurance companies just don’t want to be liable for unsafe, risky or criminal behavior.
Typically, road rage incidents are more often reported in the summer months when the temperatures are hotter, and more cars are on the roads. But the reality is that road rage incidents are not as frequent and wide spread as you might think. Most of the time people will just yell at each other or exchanges offensive hand gestures and leave it at that.
Its not all bad news either. The original question mentioned being a “victim” of road rage and would your insurance do anything. So far all we have been talking about is being the cause of road rage.
If your car is damaged form road rage, your insurance is usually going to cover you.
