Several cars died last month. Last Tuesday, for example, one burned down in Den Bosch due to fireworks. He was also hit on Monday when a piece of fireworks was thrown under a moving car in Deventer, setting it on fire. And in Zeewolde earlier this month, fireworks exploded on the hood of a car, which was badly damaged.
‘Asterisk already does damage’
While there are a lot of heavy weapons out there this year, one little star can already cause damage. This is because a car consists largely of plastic, says Jeffrey Posthouwer of Autoschadebedrijf Posthouwer at Editie NL. “Paint may offer some protection to metal, but if the fireworks get to the plastic, there’s a good chance something will melt.”
If an asterisk can cause such a thing, then you can see what a flare or firecracker can do. “They can really cause a significant impact. If it’s a big blow, the fireworks will melt inside. And then there will be a real hole.”
Insurance
If so, the question is whether you will be reimbursed for the damage. It depends on the type of insurance you have and if your car was hit intentionally. “Usually fireworks cause fire damage. Imagine a fountain on the ground going out next to your car, causing an accidental fire,” says Menno Dijcks, automotive expert at Independer. “In that case, you will be reimbursed for the damage if you have WA+ insurance.”
So this example is an accident. When it comes to design, that’s another story. “For example, someone put a firecracker down the drain. So it’s firework damage,” says Dijcks. “In that case you must be fully insured to receive compensation. With only WA + insurance you pay the costs yourself.”
If you know who the perpetrator is, your insurer can recover it from that person. It’s just easier said than done. “You have to have proof that the person did it.”
Years without damage
So in a nutshell: if there is no intention in the game, the damage automatically falls under fire damage. This is then covered by your insurer. If there is intention in the game and you are insured against all risks, you can also receive money. But in that case the advice is not to claim the damage. “Otherwise you will hand over your years without complaint.”
And that would mean your premium and deductible would go up. “Then you’ll also be busy for a few years to go back to your old premium,” says Dijcks. Sometimes it can be more expensive than if you pay the mechanic to fix your box yourself. If the damage isn’t too bad, that’s fine.
Prevent instead of cure
If you are more interested in prevention than cure, it is advisable to park your car in a safe place. Where possible, for example, in a garage and otherwise under a canopy. “We also recommend putting a special coat of paint on your car,” says Dijcks. “If the sparks then hit the car, the paint layer will cause a fire less quickly.”
