Living in La Crosse, it’s not unusual to find a golf course, driving range, or even backyard golfers practicing their swings nearby. But what happens if a stray golf ball leaves the fairway (or someone’s backyard) and ends up denting or cracking the windshield of your car? Who’s responsible—the golfer, the golf course, or you? Let’s break it down.
The Golfer’s Responsibility
In most cases, the golfer who hit the ball is responsible for any damages caused. Golfers are expected to exercise reasonable care when playing, which means making sure they are hitting in a safe direction and not taking unnecessary risks.
If a golfer slices one into the parking lot and it hits your car, their liability coverage (usually found in their homeowners or renters insurance) may cover the damage. However, many golfers are unaware of this and may not immediately offer to pay unless they understand how liability insurance works.
The Golf Course’s Responsibility
Generally, golf courses are not liable for stray golf balls unless the design of the course creates an unusually high risk (for example, a tee box pointed directly at a parking lot). Most courses include disclaimers on scorecards or signage stating that golfers play at their own risk.
That said, if your car is parked in a designated course lot, the situation can be tricky. Some courses may voluntarily step in to help, but legally they are often protected unless negligence can be proven.
Your Own Auto Insurance
If you carry comprehensive coverage on your auto policy, damage from a golf ball should be covered. This falls under “other than collision” claims, the same category as hail, vandalism, or falling objects. You’d be responsible for your deductible, and then your insurance company could pursue reimbursement from the responsible party if possible.
If you only carry liability coverage, unfortunately, damage from a golf ball would not be covered by your own insurance.
Real-World Example
Let’s say you park near a course in La Crosse and come back to find your windshield cracked. Here’s how it might play out:
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If you know who hit the ball → their homeowners/renters liability insurance may cover your repairs.
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If you don’t know who hit the ball → your comprehensive auto coverage kicks in.
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The golf course → unlikely to pay unless negligence can be proven.
How Preferred Insurance Can Help
At Preferred Insurance Agency in La Crosse, we’ve seen situations like this before. The best way to protect yourself is to make sure you carry the right coverages on your auto policy. Comprehensive insurance doesn’t just protect against golf balls—it protects you against a wide range of unexpected events.
We also review homeowners policies to ensure you’re protected in case it’s your shot that does the damage.
✅ Bottom line: If a golf ball hits your car, liability usually falls on the golfer. But without comprehensive coverage, you may end up paying out-of-pocket if the golfer can’t be identified.
👉 Have questions about your coverage? Contact Preferred Insurance Agency in La Crosse today—we’ll make sure you’re covered on and off the course.
📞 608-881-6566
🌐 http://www.preferredlax.com