It isn’t uncommon for a neighbor to destroy your mailbox either because they were in a hurry or they weren’t thinking straight. Regardless of the reason, there are a few things you should do right off the bat.
If your mailbox was taken out by a car, it should be replaced under the cover of the driver’s auto insurance policy. On the other hand, if the mailbox was vandalized, you need to file a police report. Regardless, you will want to replace the mailbox right away and then seek reimbursement from the insurer or via a court order.
If Your Mailbox Was Damaged in Texas By A Curbside Accident
It is, unfortunately, the case that the proximity of many mailboxes to busy streets is one of the leading reasons why they are destroyed. Usually, we never know who broke our mailboxes, which is why you need to file an accident report with the police. After it, you then take the opportunity to file a property damage claim with the driver’s insurer. Get the contact information of the policyholder and their policy number after the accident. The same thing applies even if they are your neighbor.
If you were not home when the accident took place, check to ensure that an officer of the law or your neighbor didn’t leave behind some contact information. If they didn’t, you could file a hit and run report. Doing this will give you a chance to help identify the driver and seek restitution for replacement costs. Though if you have home insurance, they may also cover the costs of replacing a damaged mailbox.
Backed Over The Box – Now What?
Sometimes homeowners may inevitably damage their mailboxes by backing over them accidentally. If that’s the case, then your auto insurance policy will not cover the cost since the mailbox is on your property. That said, if you are a renter, you can file a collision claim, and that will pay for a new mailbox. If your vehicle was not damaged, the cost of the mailbox (only) isn’t going to meet the needed deductible, not to mention it could mean a rise in your premiums if a claim is filed.
Prepare Your New Mailbox
It is imperative that you replace the mailbox immediately with a similar unit. But make sure to save the receipt so that you can get reimbursed from the insurance company once the claim has been processed.
If your mailbox seems to get knocked down more frequently, invest in ensuring that it has reflective address numbers so that it is visible at night. You will also want to consider a reflective decal on the back of the mailbox so that anyone who is backing out will see it more clearly. If you are currently a Texas resident, or will be one soon, free to contact our agency for further advice.
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