If I Crash Into My House, Will My Car Insurance or Homeowners Insurance Pay?

Last Updated on October 15, 2026

By James Shaffer · Reviewed by Thomas Rockford, insurance industry executive and financial analyst, on October 15, 2026 · How we fact-check

If you crash into your own house, the damage is usually handled by two separate coverages: homeowners insurance for the home (and damaged contents) and auto insurance for the vehicle. In most cases, you’ll file two claims—one per policy—because each policy covers a different type of property.

Below is how coverage typically works, how deductibles are applied, and what changes if another driver hits your home.

For a step-by-step guide to documenting losses and reporting them correctly, see the proper way to file an insurance claim after an accident.

1. Two Policies, Two Claims: Homeowners insurance usually handles the house and damaged contents, while auto collision handles the vehicle.
2. Liability Doesn’t Cover Your Own Home: Auto liability is meant for damage to others’ property; your home repairs typically go through homeowners coverage.
3. Deductibles Are Usually Separate: Most drivers pay a home deductible and an auto deductible, unless a specific bundled-policy exception applies.
4. Compare Repair Cost vs. Deductible: If damage is near your deductible, paying out of pocket may cost less than a claim, but check your policy’s rules on reporting the accident first.

Which Policy Pays When You Crash Into Your House?

File a Homeowners Insurance Claim for Home Damage

Homeowners insurance is designed to cover damage to your home and other covered structures. The Insurance Information Institute lists damage caused by vehicles among the perils a standard HO-3 policy covers, which includes a car striking the garage or an exterior wall. If the collision also damages belongings inside the home, personal property coverage may help replace or repair those items—up to your policy limits.

Coverage isn’t unlimited. Home claims still depend on your deductible, coverage limits, and exclusions (for example, intentional damage is commonly excluded). Your adjuster may also consider whether the repairs involve upgrades required by building codes, which can affect how much the policy pays.

File an Auto Insurance Claim for Car Damage

When a car hits a building, the vehicle damage is typically handled under collision coverage. This applies whether you backed into a wall, hit the garage frame, or misjudged the turn into a driveway. Minor damage like scratches and scrapes may be covered, but the claim only makes sense if the repair cost is meaningfully higher than your deductible.

Auto liability coverage generally won’t pay to repair your own home because liability is meant for damage you cause to others. If you want insurance to pay for your vehicle after hitting your own property, you typically need collision coverage (see how coverage works when you file a claim for damage to your own car).

When covered, insurers generally pay to restore the vehicle to pre-loss condition, minus your deductible. If the damage is minor or close to your deductible, it may not be worth filing a claim.

Do You Pay One Deductible or Two?

Most of the time, crashing into your own house triggers two deductibles because you’re using two different policies: your auto collision deductible for the car and your homeowners deductible for the home. Here’s how it usually shakes out:

If you’re unsure how deductibles work on the auto side, review car insurance deductibles explained before deciding whether to file.

Who’s at Fault When a Car Hits a Building?

When a driver hits a stationary object, insurers typically treat it as an at-fault collision unless there’s clear evidence another factor caused the crash (for example, a covered medical event or a mechanical failure documented by investigation). If you file an auto claim, it may affect your future premiums—see how rates can change if your car insurance goes up after an accident.

What Happens If Someone Else Drives Into Your House?

If another driver hits your house, the usual first option is to pursue the claim through the driver’s auto insurance (property damage liability). That coverage can pay for repairs to the structure and for damaged personal property, up to the driver’s limit.

If the other driver is uninsured or their coverage isn’t enough, you may be able to use your homeowners insurance and let your insurer seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver afterward (a process called subrogation). In some cases, you may also consider legal action—learn more about whether you can sue an uninsured driver for damages.

Final Word on Crashing Into Your House and Insurance

Crashing into a home (or another building) is more common than many drivers realize, but it’s typically covered in a predictable way: homeowners insurance for the structure and damaged belongings, and auto collision coverage for the vehicle. Expect separate deductibles unless your insurer confirms a specific bundled-policy exception.

If your loss involves a fire that damages both the garage and the vehicle, coverage can get more nuanced—especially when the vehicle is stored on the property (see whether car insurance pays if your garage burns down).

My advice is to take photos of the house and the car before anything is moved, get a repair estimate for each, and tell both insurers what happened even if you end up paying for the smaller repair yourself. Reporting it keeps you inside your policy’s notice rules, and you can still decide afterward whether a claim is worth it.

FAQs on Car Insurance vs. Homeowners Insurance After Hitting a House

Sources

Checked October 15, 2026

• Insurance Information Institute — Homeowners Insurance Basics
• Insurance Information Institute — What Is Covered by a Basic Auto Insurance Policy?
• NAIC — Auto Insurance