One Collision Deductible or Two?

December 28, 2009

Can you provide an opinion on a personal auto policy in which the insured strikes another owned auto in his driveway? Both vehicles carry collision coverage and are listed on the same policy and owned by the insured. One vehicle was parked in the driveway and the insured driver backed into the parked vehicle. Should one deductible apply, or two?

Virginia Subscriber

The insured cannot have the second car handled by liability because of the owned property exclusion. So the entire loss would have to be covered under physical damage coverage.  However, because there was only one collision that occurred, only one deductible should apply to the total damage of both cars (the higher of the two if they are different amounts).