5 Weird But True Car Insurance Claims

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Car insurance is designed to protect us from the unexpected, but some claims are so strange they sound like they belong in a comedy sketch. While most claims involve standard accidents, theft, or weather damage, others can be downright bizarre. These five true but weird car insurance claims showcase the kinds of oddball scenarios that have baffled insurers and left us wondering, “How did that even happen?”

1. The “Bigfoot” Car Crash

Imagine driving through a remote wooded area when suddenly, a large, hairy creature crosses your path. This is the exact scenario described by a driver who filed a claim after allegedly hitting Bigfoot—yes, you read that right.

The Incident:

  • Claim Details: The driver reported swerving to avoid a massive creature in the road. According to their account, the creature was approximately 8 feet tall with glowing eyes, but the driver didn’t get a clear look at it. The swerve caused the vehicle to crash into a nearby tree.
  • Insurance Response: The claim was taken seriously at first, but after investigation, the insurance company denied it, citing a lack of evidence and any clear indication that a Bigfoot had been involved.

This claim became infamous as one of the most bizarre in car insurance history.

2. A Moose on the Loose

In Canada, a driver’s car was totaled after they encountered a moose on a rural road. While moose sightings are not uncommon in certain areas, this driver’s claim took an unusual twist.

The Incident:

  • Claim Details: The driver was cruising down a quiet, country road when a moose suddenly appeared and dashed into their vehicle’s path. Despite attempting to stop in time, the driver collided with the moose, resulting in significant damage to their car.
  • Insurance Response: The claim was accepted as the driver’s vehicle sustained real damage, but the incident’s odd nature—colliding with an animal larger than the average deer—caught the attention of the insurance company and the media.

Key Takeaways:

  • Always be cautious in areas known for wildlife activity.
  • Ensure you have comprehensive coverage for collisions with animals, especially in rural or wooded areas.

3. The “Bizarre Parking Lot Accident”

Sometimes accidents happen in the least expected places. One such case occurred in a parking lot, where a car was damaged in a highly unusual manner.

The Incident:

  • Claim Details: A driver filed a claim after their vehicle was hit by a shopping cart. However, this wasn’t just any shopping cart—this one was “launched” by an unsuspecting customer who accidentally let go of it while unloading groceries. The cart struck the vehicle with such force that it caused significant damage to the door and fender.
  • Insurance Response: The insurance company took a bit of time to process the claim, as they had never encountered a shopping cart collision before. Eventually, the claim was covered, though the situation left many wondering how a simple cart could cause so much damage.

Key Takeaways:

  • Shopping carts can be a surprising source of vehicle damage.
  • While unusual, it’s important to check for such incidents in parking lots, as some insurance policies might cover them under liability or comprehensive coverage.

4. The Tornado Test Drive

A car dealership employee in the Midwest experienced one of the oddest claims when a customer took a car for a test drive, and a tornado struck.

The Incident:

  • Claim Details: A potential buyer took a car for a test drive on a particularly stormy day. While driving, the weather worsened rapidly, and the car was caught in the path of a tornado. The vehicle was damaged by debris, hail, and strong winds, causing it to sustain heavy damage.
  • Insurance Response: Since the tornado was considered an “act of nature,” the dealership’s insurance covered the damage. The claim was considered legitimate, though the event was highly unusual and unprecedented for a test drive.

Key Takeaways:

  • Severe weather events, including tornadoes, can cause extensive damage to vehicles.
  • Comprehensive insurance coverage, including natural disasters, can protect vehicles from unexpected situations.

5. The Seagull Attack

This strange case involves a driver whose car was damaged not by another vehicle, but by a hungry seagull.

The Incident:

  • Claim Details: The driver parked their car at a beachside parking lot when a seagull swooped down and dropped a large object, believed to be a crab shell, onto the windshield. The impact shattered the windshield, leaving a significant crack.
  • Insurance Response: The claim was considered odd, but the damage was real. It was categorized under comprehensive coverage, which generally covers damage caused by animals, falling objects, or vandalism.

Key Takeaways:

  • Seagulls, and other animals, can cause surprisingly expensive damage.
  • Always check your comprehensive policy for coverage on incidents that seem too bizarre to be true.

Conclusion

These five weird but true car insurance claims show just how strange and unpredictable the world of insurance can be. From encounters with mythical creatures to test drives interrupted by natural disasters, it’s clear that car insurance doesn’t always follow the rules we expect. However, it’s essential to have the right coverage in place, even if the risks seem unusual.

If there’s anything we can learn from these strange claims, it’s that anything can happen on the road—and having a comprehensive car insurance policy could make all the difference in handling the unexpected, no matter how weird it may be.

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