WILL INSURANCE COVER MAIlBOX REPLACEMENT?

The answer depends entirely on who was driving and whose insurance is being used. There isn't a specific list of "mailbox-friendly" insurance companies; rather, it is a standard rule of how different types of coverage work across the industry (State Farm, Geico, Allstate, Progressive, etc.).

Here is the breakdown of which insurance covers a mailbox without a deductible:

1. If YOU hit someone else's mailbox

Coverage: Property Damage Liability (Auto)

Deductible: $0 (No Deductible)

Who Covers It: All major auto insurance carriers.

If you back into a neighbor's post or slide into one, your auto insurance's "Property Damage Liability" pays to replace their mailbox.

* The Rule: Liability coverage almost never has a deductible. Your insurance pays 100% of the cost to fix the other person’s property, up to your policy limits.

* The Cost: You pay nothing out of pocket for the repair, though your premiums may increase later due to the at-fault claim.

2. If SOMEONE ELSE hits your mailbox (and you know who)

Coverage: The At-Fault Driver’s Property Damage Liability

Deductible: $0 (No Deductible for you)

Who Covers It: The other driver's insurance company.

If a neighbor or delivery driver hits your post and you get their insurance info, you file a claim against their insurance.

* The Rule: You are the "third party" claimant. You do not pay a penny. Their insurance is legally required to make you whole (pay for a new post and installation).

3. If it was a HIT-AND-RUN (Unknown Driver)

Coverage: Homeowners Insurance or Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD)

Deductible: Yes, you usually pay a deductible.

This is the most frustrating scenario. Because the driver is gone, you have to use your own policy.

* Homeowners Insurance: Most homeowners policies have a deductible of $1,000 or more. Since a mailbox typically costs $200–$600 to replace, insurance usually covers nothing because the damage is less than the deductible.

* Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD): In some states, you can claim this on your auto policy.

* Note: This often still has a deductible (commonly $200–$250 for property damage), meaning you might only get a small payout, if anything.

4. If YOU hit your OWN mailbox

Coverage: Collision Coverage (Auto)

Deductible: Yes, you pay your collision deductible.

Liability coverage does not cover your own property. You would have to use your "Collision" coverage.

* The Rule: If you have a $500 deductible and the mailbox costs $400, insurance pays nothing. If the damage to your car is significant, you might file a claim, but you still have to pay the deductible first.

Summary Table

| Scenario | Coverage Type | Deductible? |

|---|---|---|

| You hit a neighbor's mailbox | Your Auto Liability | NO ($0) |

| Neighbor hits your mailbox | Their Auto Liability | NO ($0) |

| Hit-and-run (Unknown driver) | Your Homeowners | YES (Usually $1,000+) |

| You hit your own mailbox | Your Auto Collision | YES (Usually $500+) |

Next Step

If you are the one who hit a mailbox and need to facilitate a repair to avoid an insurance claim (which might raise your rates), would you like a template for a polite note to leave the homeowner offering to fix it directly?