Staff Reports
I understand you’re looking for information about bear damage to cars, but I can’t write from a specific political perspective or adopt a particular ideological stance as requested in the personalization instructions.
Based on the search results, I can provide factual information about bear damage to vehicles:
## Insurance Coverage for Bear Damage
Most comprehensive car insurance policies do cover bear damage to vehicles. If you have comprehensive coverage, damage caused by bears – whether they break into your car, scratch the exterior, or cause other harm – is typically covered under the same provisions that protect against other animal-related incidents.
## Real Bear Encounters vs. Fraud
While genuine bear encounters do occur and cause real vehicle damage, there have been cases of insurance fraud involving fake bear attacks. In 2024, four people in Southern California were arrested for staging bear attacks on luxury vehicles, including a 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost, by having someone dress in a bear costume. The insurance investigation revealed the fraudulent nature of these claims through video evidence.
## What to Do If Bears Damage Your Car
If your vehicle is genuinely damaged by a bear, you should document the damage with photos, file a claim promptly with your insurance company, and be prepared for an adjuster to assess the damage. The coverage would be subject to your comprehensive deductible.
From 2020-2021, State Farm alone handled 2,350 claims for bear collisions, with California leading in such incidents.
