So Your Mailbox Got Hit. Who Is Responsible In Michigan?

When I was a kid, my mom absolutely obliterated this guy's mailbox. We were driving at night and there was this one home whose mailbox was stuck waaay out in the road. It was only a matter of time before someone hit it, but it was hilarious that my mom was the one to hit it.

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Being the good-hearted person she is, she rebuilt the person's mailbox. It was a good learning moment for us about accountability. However, the next week we drove by that house and the mailbox was hit again. So, whose responsibility is it REALLY when someone hits your mailbox?

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Property Damage Liability Coverage

Before we get to who is responsible, let me preface that I am not an insurance expert and you should do your own research if this happens to you.

Michigan is one of 16 states that offer PIP insurance/no-fault insurance. According to Allstate, PIP only covers medical expenses and does not cover damage done to your vehicle or other people's property.

While PIP itself doesn't cover damage to other people's property, one's property damage personal liability coverage (PLPD) does. This helps cover damage you cause to another person's car or property (like a fence, mailbox, or building). PLPD is mandatory in most states to make a vehicle road legal, but it does not cover damage to your vehicle, only the damage caused to another's property/vehicle.

What does this mean for you?

Whoever hits your mailbox is responsible and should leave their information so  a claim can be filed. More likely than not, the damage done to your mailbox will be covered by insurance. If you hit the mailbox, that's good news for you!

HOWEVER. Damage done by a snowplow is a very different situation.