Someone Died in a Vehicle You Own: Cleanup, Insurance, and What to Do Next

When someone dies in a vehicle — whether from a car accident, suicide, medical emergency, or violence — the vehicle owner is left with a situation no one prepares you for. The car may be evidence in an investigation, it needs biohazard cleanup before anyone can use it again, and insurance coverage varies wildly depending on what happened.

Here’s the practical guide to handling it.

Immediate Steps

1. Don’t Touch the Vehicle Until Released

If the death involved a crime, accident investigation, or was unattended, law enforcement will likely impound or hold the vehicle. Do not attempt to clean or move the vehicle until it’s officially released to you. Tampering with evidence — even unintentionally — can create legal problems.

2. Contact Your Insurance Company

Call your auto insurance provider as soon as possible. Tell them:

• What happened (factually, briefly)
• The vehicle’s current location
• Whether law enforcement is involved
• Ask specifically about biohazard cleanup coverage

3. Document Everything

Once the vehicle is released to you:

• Photograph the interior from multiple angles before any cleanup
• Note any damage to the vehicle
• Keep all paperwork from law enforcement, towing, and storage

Biohazard Cleanup for Vehicles

Vehicle biohazard cleanup is a specialized service. Regular detailers and car washes cannot — and should not — handle blood, bodily fluids, or tissue cleanup.

What’s Involved

• Removal of contaminated materials (seats, carpet, headliner, insulation)
• Treatment of hard surfaces with hospital-grade disinfectants
• Odor neutralization (ozone treatment, thermal fogging)
• Potential removal and replacement of interior panels
• Final testing to ensure biohazard levels are safe

What It Costs

Sometimes the cleanup cost exceeds the vehicle’s value. In that case, the insurance company may total the vehicle.

Does Auto Insurance Cover Biohazard Cleanup?

Comprehensive coverage (if you have it) typically covers biohazard cleanup because it falls under “damage other than collision.” However:

• Deductible applies — you’ll pay your comp deductible first
• Policy limits matter — if cleanup exceeds the vehicle’s value, insurance pays the vehicle’s value minus deductible
• Liability-only policies — generally do NOT cover biohazard cleanup

If the death resulted from someone else’s actions (a crime, another driver), their insurance or victim compensation funds may cover costs.

Finding a Vehicle Biohazard Cleanup Company

Most biohazard cleanup companies that handle homes also handle vehicles. Look for:

• ABRA or equivalent biohazard certification
• Specific vehicle cleanup experience (ask how many they’ve done)
• Ability to work with your insurance company on documentation
• Check our vetted professionals directory

If the Vehicle Was in an Accident

When the death occurred during a car accident, you’re dealing with two overlapping processes: the accident claim and the biohazard situation.

Accident Claim

• At-fault accident: your collision coverage handles vehicle damage; the other party’s liability coverage handles injuries/death
• Not-at-fault: the at-fault driver’s insurance covers everything, including cleanup
• Single vehicle accident: your collision + comprehensive coverage applies

Important Timing

The accident investigation must conclude before you can typically begin cleanup. This can take days to weeks. During this time:

• The vehicle may be at a tow yard (storage fees accumulate — document these for your claim)
• Don’t let the tow yard “clean” the vehicle — they’re not qualified for biohazard work
• Ask your insurance about rental car coverage in the meantime

If the Death Was a Suicide

This is emotionally devastating and logistically complicated. A few specific things to know:

• Insurance still covers the vehicle damage — suicide does not void auto insurance claims for vehicle damage/cleanup
• Life insurance is separate — some life policies have suicide clauses, but this has nothing to do with the vehicle claim
• Take your time — you don’t have to decide immediately whether to clean and keep the vehicle or total it
• Many families choose to total the vehicle even when cleanup is possible — and that’s completely OK

If Someone Died from Decomposition (Undiscovered)

When someone dies in a vehicle and isn’t discovered for days or longer — in a parking garage, remote location, or their own driveway — the contamination is severe.

• Fluids penetrate seats, carpet, and floor panels — surface cleaning is never sufficient
• Full interior removal is almost always required
• The vehicle is frequently totaled by insurance due to cleanup costs
• Odor may never fully resolve even after professional treatment — the decision to total is often the right call

Selling or Disposing of the Vehicle

If You Want to Sell

• In most states, you’re not legally required to disclose a death in the vehicle (unlike homes). However, check your state’s disclosure laws.
• If the vehicle was professionally cleaned and is structurally sound, it’s sellable
• Get the cleanup company to provide a “clearance certificate” or letter confirming the vehicle is safe

If You Want to Junk It

• Junkyards typically accept vehicles regardless of biohazard history
• You’ll need the title (or a bonded title if the original is unavailable)
• Donation to a charity is also an option — tax deduction for the vehicle’s fair market value

When to Get Professional Help

Always call a professional for vehicle biohazard cleanup. There is no safe DIY option for blood, bodily fluids, or decomposition in a vehicle. The confined space, porous materials, and hidden cavities make proper cleanup impossible without professional equipment and training.

Every guide on WhenItHappens is written by someone with hands-on experience in biohazard remediation. Call us at (855) 566-2405 or find a vetted specialist.