Driveway Damage: Why NC Homeowners Insurance Says No 🚗

Q: Does homeowners insurance cover a car parked in the garage?

No, homeowners insurance never covers the vehicle itself. Even inside a locked garage, if the roof collapses on the car, your Auto Insurance (Comprehensive coverage) pays for the vehicle.

Q: What if a neighbor's tree falls on my car in my driveway?

You still file the claim on your own auto insurance. Unless you can prove the neighbor was negligent, it is considered an Act of God and your comprehensive auto coverage pays.

Imagine this: A summer storm rolls through Elkin. You wake up to a loud CRACK. A massive oak tree has fallen right across your driveway, smashing the hood of your sedan. You call your home insurance agent thinking, "It happened on my property, so my home policy covers it, right?"

Unfortunately, the answer is almost always no. As we move through 2026, insurance rates in North Carolina are tight, and understanding exactly which policy pays for what can save you thousands.

The "Motor Vehicle Exclusion" Explained

In the insurance world, we like to keep things in separate buckets. Your homeowners policy (HO-3 form in NC) is designed to protect structures and personal property.

However, almost every standard policy contains a "Motor Vehicle Exclusion." This clause states that we do not cover "motor vehicles or all other motorized land conveyances." This applies regardless of whether the car is:

Parked in the driveway.
Sitting inside your attached garage.
Parked on the street in front of your house.

Who Pays? Home vs. Auto Coverage

Here is the breakdown of common NC driveway scenarios:

Scenario	Policy That Pays	Coverage Type
Tree falls on House	🏠 Homeowners	Dwelling Coverage
Tree falls on Car	🚗 Auto Policy	Comprehensive
Tree hits House AND Car	🏠 Home + 🚗 Auto	Both (Two Deductibles)
Items stolen from Car	🏠 Homeowners	Personal Property*
Garage collapses on Car	🚗 Auto Policy	Comprehensive

*Note: Theft of the car itself is Auto. Theft of a laptop FROM the car is Home/Renters.

Comparison of home and auto insurance deductibles

What to Do If Your Car Is Damaged at Home

Follow these steps to ensure your claim is handled correctly in North Carolina:

Safety First: Ensure no power lines are down. If lines are down, call Duke Energy or Surry-Yadkin EMC immediately.
Document Everything: Take photos of the car, the tree/debris, and the house (if damaged) before moving anything.
Check Your Policies:
- Is the car damaged? Call your Auto Carrier.
- Is the house/garage damaged? Call your Home Carrier.
Mitigate Damage: Cover broken car windows with a tarp to prevent rain damage (NC policy requires you to prevent further loss).

🧮 The "Double Deductible" Calculator

If a storm hits both your house and car, how much will you pay out of pocket?

Bill Layne discussing insurance policies with a client in Elkin NC

NC Driveway Insurance FAQs

Does homeowners insurance cover a car parked in the garage?

No, homeowners insurance never covers the vehicle itself. Even inside a locked garage, if the roof collapses on the car or the garage burns down with the car inside, your Auto Insurance (Comprehensive coverage) pays for the vehicle. The Home policy pays to rebuild the garage.

What if a neighbor's tree falls on my car in my driveway?

You still file the claim on your own auto insurance. Under NC law, unless you can prove the neighbor was negligent (knew the tree was dead and ignored it), it is considered an "Act of God." Your comprehensive auto coverage pays, and you are responsible for your deductible.

Does liability coverage cover my car in the driveway?

No, Liability coverage only pays for damage you cause to others. It does not cover your own property. You must have "Comprehensive" (Other Than Collision) on your auto policy to be covered for falling objects, fire, or theft in your driveway.

Can I bundle policies to avoid two deductibles?

Sometimes, depending on the carrier. Some carriers (like Erie, Travelers, or National General) may offer a "Single Deductible" endorsement if both the home and auto are insured with them and damaged in the same event. Ask us if your policy has this perk!

What if my car is stolen from my driveway?

Auto insurance covers the car; Home insurance covers the contents. If your car is stolen, Auto Comprehensive pays for the car. If your golf clubs or laptop were in the back seat, you must file a separate Homeowners/Renters claim for those items.

Is a carport considered a garage for insurance?

For the structure, yes; for the car, the rules remain the same. A carport attached to the home is covered under "Dwelling." A detached carport is "Other Structures." But the car parked underneath is still only covered by Auto Insurance.