You're walking down the street on the way to the office; you step into your favorite coffee shop on the way. It's a typical morning, and as you're flirting (unsuccessfully) with the handsome gentleman at the register, the floor and walls shake around you.

A superhero has sent a car flying at this week's supervillain, and the community wonders when life will return to normal.

After the dust has settled down the street, the phone starts to ring in an office, and the insurance agent takes a deep breath before they begin intercepting calls for superhuman-inflicted damage claims.

Esteemed comic artist Richard Case illustrated a series of graphics to discuss some questions and concerns around the question, "does car insurance cover damage from superheroes?" Let's take a moment to think about this and look at Richard Case's artwork on the subject.

Who Is Richard Case?

Since 1987, Richard Case has lent his imagination and illustration vision to comics, video games, and similar art projects. He is most known for his work on DC's Vertigo Imprint while also carrying credit on quite a large portion of the issues of Doom Patrol after February of 1989.

He's also credited his drawing chops in Marvel for several issues, including Doctor Strange: Supreme Sorcerer: #1-4 and Doctor Strange: Strange Tales #10-11 and #13-19.

In his partnership with AutomoBlog, Richard Case created a series of panels that showcase insurance struggles within a world where superheroes and supervillains regularly battle, racking up an impressive list of damages. So what do the illustrations tell us?

What Kinds Of Damage Does Car Insurance Cover?

This question is answered best by breaking it down and describing the different types of insurance. Richard Case's art doesn't break it down like this, but the information is useful nonetheless.

Liability

According to Car and Driver Magazine, "liability only" coverage is the bare minimum of coverage you can pay for and still legally drive your car in most states. This policy covers other people's injuries and property damage if you cause the collision or if the damage isn't collision-caused.

It will not cover your car's repairs or any medical appointments associated with the wreck. This insurance type is best for older vehicles that are paid off and would cost more to repair than to replace.

Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage helps you pay for repairs or replacement of your car in a situation where it is damaged in a non-collision incident. For example, if a tree breaks and falls on your car, comprehensive coverage would pay to replace or repair the vehicle. Some policies classify animal damage under comprehensive coverage, while others place things like hitting a deer under collision coverage.

This is a necessary policy for those still paying for their car or living in places where automotive theft, vandalism, or weather-related incidents are common. Many lenders require that you carry Comprehensive Collision coverage to protect their investment while you pay it off.

Collision

Collision insurance protects you and your wallet from the costs associated with damages caused by a collision with another car or item, such as a tree or fence. This is often paired with comprehensive coverage as a bundled policy to cover damages caused by property, nature, and drivers.

Personal Injury Protection

Many states require minimum personal injury protection coverage to keep you covered in case of a wreck. Regardless of who is at fault, your medical costs are protected until the insurance settles. Personal injury protection, or PIP, covers you and any passengers riding with you. It can include lost wages, recovery costs, physical therapy, and medical visits directly related to the wreck.

Uninsured Motorist Coverage

When you're in a car wreck with another driver, and that driver has failed to keep their car covered with insurance, you could just be out of luck and have to cover the repair costs on your own. Or you can add Uninsured motorist coverage onto your policy, and they will take care of the costs and settle later.

Superheroes Leave A Trail Of Damage

The world is saved again, but the path of destruction left behind will be costly. How would insurance work in a world where this is a regular occurrence? Auto insurance is a bit simpler than property insurance but still carries complications.

In several of Richard Case's panels, the hero characters are depicted with superhuman strength and magic-like powers. In one panel, a rather thin masked girl is seen picking up a car and preparing to throw it (representing a collision). In another panel, a floating hero is lifting four cars in an electromagnetic storm to demonstrate damage caused by weather and acts of nature.

The creative take on this topic, combined with the detailed information gleaned from insurance expert: Nick Vitali, explains insurance in a relatable and fun way that takes the boring legalese out of the conversation.

Your Car Is Thrown As A Projectile

As heavy and sturdy as cars are, they make great projectiles for those with superhuman strength or well-placed explosives. Additionally, they are often used as cover for civilians and superheroes waiting for a chance to act or run.

These situations would likely be covered by comprehensive or collision coverage, but you'd be responsible for the burden of proof. You'd need to prove that what you're claiming happened is what happened, and the insurance assessor would need to agree with the evidence. These claims would be simple to prove between damage and photos. However, the outlandishness of the circumstances would make your agent second guess their career choice.

A Falling Villain Breaks Their Fall With Your Car

This isn't a collision. Therefore, you'd best hope that you have comprehensive coverage on your wheels. It's unlikely this repair would be worth it to the agency, and they'd total the car and replace it.

However, if you only have liability, you could attempt to sue the superhumans for damages. The lawyer who took on that case would be hard-pressed to find enough legal precedence to build a case to hold water.

Building Facade Falls On Your Car

This one is easy, as there are past cases that we can refer to. During natural disasters, it's not unusual to have parts of a building or parking garage fall on your car.

There's not a superhero movie in the media that doesn't involve some form of property damage that could lead to building materials damaging cars. This would likely call under comprehensive coverage and cover the replacement of your vehicle when they total it for exceeding market value for repairs.

A Distracted Driver Rear-Ends Your Car While Watching Superhumans Flying Overhead

While this is unusual, it's not uncommon to be rear-ended by a driver in regular traffic, and this would be covered under collision and PIP. If the other driver isn't insured, your uninsured motorist coverage will take care of you. Distracted driving poses many risks, and collision or property damage is the most common result of distracted driving.

Someone Hits You On Your Bike While Driving Away From The Battleground

Again, this situation comes down to distracted driving and the damages caused. You'll hope that the other driver is covered by their insurance, as you'd want to file a claim with their insurance to cover any injuries. You can also discuss a lawsuit against the superhumans to cover other costs that the driver's auto insurance doesn't cover.

How To Determine What's Covered?

When the superhumans take to the skies and cause havoc in the streets, your insurance agent will be your wallet's best friend. Each company will have different specifics per policy variances, but the general coverages are the same. Before making assumptions about superhero damages, it's best to consult your agent and readjust your range annually.

Mundane World Or Superhero Community

Regardless of the common dangers in your daily commute, insurance is essential to keep yourself and your car healthy and running well. Some states require a minimum level of insurance, but even if they don't, auto insurance is a layer of protection that every driver should invest in as part of their routine transportation costs.

With all the money you save from not having to replace your car when a giant robotic alien destroys it in pursuit of the flying guy in tights, you can plan a vacation to Norway to eat in an underwater restaurant or whatever it is you want to do to pass the time away from home.

While there, look up more of Richard Case's work on his Instagram account. When you're in the bookshop next, look at the comics section, and search for one of his many pieces. Watch the credits when they roll for his name in your next Ubisoft video game. Mr. Case has left his prints on projects worldwide over the last three decades.