Beautiful autumn: colorful leaves fall in the golden sun and line the paths. Nasty autumn: chestnuts and other fruits fall from the trees onto the car body. Are you left with the damage?
Click…click-click, boom! You probably know the sound when chestnuts fall from the tree and land on the car body. Hopefully it was a lucky escape. Because in autumn, falling tree fruits can be like Chestnuts, acorns, walnuts or apples can cause dents and scratches on car bodywork. Depending on their weight and height of fall, they can leave smaller or larger traces.
That’s why people who park under street lights should now be more cautious when looking for a parking space, advises the ADAC Hessen-Thüringen. Parking spaces under large trees should be avoided and garages, roofs or parking garages should be sought out wherever possible. Car covers, so-called half-garages, can also help prevent damage.
Danger from above – sometimes a “general risk of life”
Neither private individuals nor cities or municipalities are obliged to put up warning signs or pay compensation in the event of falling chestnuts. The automobile club refers to various court rulings that classify such things as a “general risk to life”.
And unlike rotten branches falling on a car, tree owners cannot be held responsible if chestnuts cause damage to a car. Falling tree fruits considered a natural eventwhich must be foreseen by the driver. Accordingly, any damage is the driver’s own fault.
There must be some kind of insurance? Yes, but…
Isn’t there insurance for these damages? Yes, but a existing partial insurance usually comes only for damages caused by storms – and only if it can be proven at least wind force 8 In normal autumn weather, the partial insurance does not pay.
However, a completed Fully comprehensive insurance According to ADAC, this usually only pays for damage caused by chestnut trees if it is a It was an unforeseeable event that occurred suddenly. Then, by definition, it is treated as accident damage. If the insurance company pays, the previously agreed deductible and possible increases in the insurance premium must be accepted. Those affected should therefore consider whether this makes sense. It may also be cheaper to pay for the repairs out of your own pocket.
Sheet metal damage: If in doubt, let a specialist do it
The cost of repairs depends, of course, on the type of damage and the car model and paintwork involved. This can only be clarified individually, for example by asking for a cost estimate at a workshop. Sometimes a cheaper Smart repair solution enough, sometimes you may need a The entire component must be repainted.
Depending on your craftsmanship and individual demands on the result, you could In case of minor damage, you can also do it yourselffor example with a touch-up pen. However, leasing companies, for example, would look closely at the end of the term to see whether such damage has been professionally repaired.
** Links to sources marked with ** or underlined in orange are partly partner links: If you buy here, you are actively supporting Utopia.de, because we then receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More information.
Was this article interesting?
Thank you for your vote!
You might also be interested in these articles
