05/28/2026
In a situation like this, several different insurance coverages could potentially come into play — but there are also major exclusions because the act involved a shooting and a death.
Auto Insurance Coverages That Could Apply
For the Vehicle Itself
If the vehicle was struck by gunfire:
Comprehensive Coverage on the auto policy would most likely apply for:
bullet damage
shattered windows
body damage from gunfire
Comprehensive covers things other than collisions, including:
vandalism
theft
fire
falling objects
civil disturbances
gunfire in many cases
Collision would usually not apply unless the vehicle also crashed.
Example:
Car gets shot but never crashes → Comprehensive
Driver crashes while fleeing shots → Collision may also apply
Medical Coverage on the Auto Policy
Possible auto coverages:
Medical Payments (MedPay)
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) (depending on state)
These can sometimes help with:
ambulance bills
emergency treatment
funeral expenses (limited)
But Alabama is not a no-fault state, so PIP is not standard there.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Bodily Injury
This gets complicated.
UM coverage normally applies when:
another driver causes injury
and has no insurance
Because this incident was not an “auto accident” in the normal sense, many carriers could deny UM applicability. Some courts have ruled shootings are not vehicle-related accidents.
So UM may or may not apply depending on:
policy wording
state law
court interpretation
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Homeowners Insurance Issues
This is where things become difficult.
Liability Coverage
A homeowners policy normally includes:
Personal Liability
Medical Payments to Others
HOWEVER…
Most homeowners policies exclude:
intentional acts
criminal acts
expected or intended injury
A shooting death would almost certainly trigger an intentional-act investigation.
So the homeowners carrier could:
deny liability coverage entirely
defend under reservation of rights
investigate self-defense claims
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Self-Defense Exception
Some policies may still provide a legal defense if:
the homeowner claims self-defense
the shooting was legally justified
Whether the carrier pays depends on:
criminal charges
civil lawsuit outcome
state self-defense laws
castle doctrine/stand-your-ground interpretations
Even if criminally cleared, the insurer might still deny payment for intentional injury.
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Possible Coverages That Could Be Triggered
Coverage Possible? Notes
Auto Comprehensive Yes Bullet damage to vehicle
Auto Collision Maybe If crash occurred
MedPay/PIP Possibly Limited medical expenses
UM/UIM Bodily Injury Uncertain Depends on state/policy interpretation
Homeowners Personal Liability Possibly disputed Intentional act exclusion
Homeowners Medical Payments Unlikely Death + intentional shooting
Umbrella Policy Possibly But same intentional-act exclusions likely apply
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Important Legal Reality
In a case involving:
alleged trespassing
firearm discharge
fatality
The biggest financial exposure often becomes:
wrongful death lawsuits
Insurance companies will heavily investigate:
whether the homeowner reasonably feared danger
whether the act was intentional criminal conduct
whether self-defense legally applies
If the shooting is ruled intentional and unjustified, the homeowners insurer may refuse indemnity entirely, leaving the homeowner personally exposed.
Cases like this often turn into:
criminal court
civil wrongful death litigation
insurance coverage litigation simultaneously.
