Does auto insurance cover shopping cart damage?
When shopping carts collide with vehicles, the damage can be extensive. Learn about the different types of car insurance coverages available to protect against these damages.
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Insurance and Finance Writer
Laura Gunn is a former teacher who uses her passion for writing and learning to help others make the best decisions regarding finance and insurance. After stepping away from the classroom, Laura used her skills to write across many different industries including insurance, finance, real estate, home improvement, and healthcare. Her experience in various industries has helped develop both her ...
Laura Gunn


Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor
Schimri Yoyo is a financial advisor with active insurance licenses in seven states and over 20 years of professional experience. During his career, he has held roles at Foresters Financial, Strayer University, Minnesota Life, Securian Financial Services, Delaware Valley Advisors, Bridgemark Wealth Management, and Fidelity. Schimri is an educator eager to assist individuals and families in ach...
Schimri Yoyo
Updated December 2024
When people shop at retail stores, they frequently fail to return their shopping carts to the designated areas, resulting in runaway carts. The last thing anyone wants is to leave a store and discover their car has been damaged by a shopping cart.

Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence. Additionally, there are various concerns related to shopping carts, such as the law regarding shopping carts hitting a car in a parking lot, incidents like a lady hitting your car with a shopping cart, and even fecal matter found on shopping carts. So what happens when a shopping cart damages your car? Do you call the insurance company? Are you covered for that kind of incident? Read on to find out.
Before you learn more about how shopping cart damage is covered by your auto insurance, see how much you could be saving. Compare car insurance quotes today by using our free rate tool above.
- Auto insurance will typically cover damage caused by a shopping cart if you have full coverage
- The repair costs for shopping cart damage can be a few hundred dollars or more
- Filing a claim for minimal damage caused by a shopping cart is only beneficial if the repair costs exceed your deductible
Does car insurance cover shopping cart damage?
Not all auto insurance types cover shopping cart damage, so make sure you know your options for shopping cart damage and auto insurance. You might be thinking, “A shopping cart hit my car; does collision or comprehensive insurance cover this?”
In some instances, it might be covered. However, basic liability insurance won’t protect you since it doesn’t cover damages to your own vehicle. For damage to a car caused by a grocery cart, you’ll need comprehensive coverage and collision coverage, which are types of covers for shopping carts. The applicable coverage depends on the incident’s cause — for example, whether wind rolled the cart into your car or another person was responsible. To ensure you’re covered, it’s best to have both. For instance, if a Lowe’s shopping cart hit your car, having both types of coverage would be essential.
Even if your policy covers shopping cart damage, it might be more cost-effective to pay for the repairs yourself rather than paying the deductible and having your insurance company handle the cost. For minor issues like damage from a shopping cart, paying out of pocket is often the best choice. Keep in mind that filing a claim can increase your insurance rates. When comparing scratch and dent insurance, consider this factor. Additionally, be aware of the definition of a vehicle and note the number of shopping cart-related deaths per year.
Is the store liable to pay for the damage to your car?
In most cases, you can’t make a strong case that the retailer is at fault for shopping cart damage to your vehicle. If the store provides a safe place to store carts, it’s generally not responsible for customers failing to use it. To have a legitimate case, you would need to show there was negligence on the part of the business.
What does shopping cart damage look like?
Typically, a shopping cart usually causes only minor scratches or dents, without resulting in broken glass or significant bumper damage. However, if the dents are in a hard-to-repair area, the repairs may be more extensive. This highlights the importance of understanding the potential damage a shopping cart can cause to a car, considering stores responsible for shopping cart damage, and the need for liability insurance for pushcarts. Additionally, unusual incidents like the burning of a shopping cart can also affect liability and damage assessment.
How much will it cost to repair the damage?
The expense of repairing shopping cart damage can differ. Sometimes, a straightforward paintless dent repair is sufficient, and in some cases, you might be able to fix the dent yourself, depending on where it is. It’s essential to consider the cost of insurance for vehicle transport damage, especially if a Walmart employee damaged your car or if you need insurance for trolleys.
You’re probably looking at minor repair costs, but it could be more depending on the extent of the damage. Small dents of an inch or so in size may only cost around $100 to repair, while major ones can cost hundreds or thousands to fix — it all depends on the dent size, vehicle type, and damage location.
Finding Auto Insurance That Covers Shopping Cart Damage
Now that you understand auto insurance likely covers damage from incidents like a shopping cart zip-tied to a car and know the typical repair costs, you can begin searching for a suitable policy. Ensure you have both comprehensive and collision coverage, rather than just basic liability, to guarantee that you can file a claim if you encounter damage from a shopping cart, such as if you scratched a car with a shopping cart. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the procedures for reporting abandoned shopping carts to prevent similar issues in the future.
If you’re looking to change companies because of a rate increase after a shopping cart collision claim, shop around. Enter your ZIP code into our free rate tool below to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions
Does auto insurance cover shopping cart damage?
Not all auto insurance types cover shopping cart damage. Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage are types of property damage coverage that can protect against shopping cart damage. It’s recommended to have both coverages to ensure you’re covered in such incidents.
Is the store liable to pay for the damage to your car?
In most cases, the store is not liable for shopping cart damage to your vehicle. Unless you can prove negligence on the part of the business, it’s unlikely that the store will be responsible for the damage.
What does shopping cart damage look like?
Shopping cart damage can range from small dings and scratches to larger dents, depending on the speed and force of impact. Typically, you won’t experience broken glass or significant damage to your bumper, but repairs may be more extensive if the dents are in difficult-to-repair spots.
How much will it cost to repair the damage?
The cost to repair shopping cart damage can vary. Minor repairs, such as paintless dent repair, may cost around $100. Major repairs could cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on factors like the size of the dent, vehicle type, and location of the damage.
How can I find auto insurance that covers shopping cart damage?
To ensure coverage for shopping cart damage, it’s important to have comprehensive and collision coverage in your auto insurance policy. If you’re looking to switch insurance companies due to a rate increase after a shopping cart collision claim, it’s recommended to shop around and compare quotes from different providers.
Who is responsible if a shopping cart hits my car?
Generally, the store is not responsible for shopping cart damage unless you can prove negligence, such as improper maintenance or unsafe cart storage. Most often, the responsibility falls to the vehicle owner’s insurance for coverage.
What happens if a shopping cart hits your car?
If a shopping cart hits your car, the damage could range from minor dings and scratches to larger dents. The next steps involve assessing the damage and determining whether to file an insurance claim or pay for repairs out of pocket.
If a shopping cart hits my car, is it collision or comprehensive?
Damage from a shopping cart could be covered under comprehensive insurance if the cart was blown into your car by wind or abandoned. Collision insurance might cover the damage if the cart was in motion and hit your car due to another party’s negligence.
What to do if someone hits your car with a shopping cart?
If someone deliberately or accidentally hits your car with a shopping cart, document the damage, gather any witness statements if possible, and contact your insurance company. If the incident was caused by another person’s negligence, their liability coverage might apply.
Is Walmart responsible for shopping cart damage?
Walmart is generally not liable for damage caused by shopping carts unless you can prove the store was negligent, such as not providing a safe area for cart storage or failing to maintain carts properly.
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