One of the more frequent causes of mailbox damage can be attributed to a vehicle, usually accidentally, hitting your mailbox. In many cases the driver will stop and let you know they are responsible and contact them regarding insurance coverage. In other situations, a driver might not stop, and this would be a hit and run situation. Sometimes people will leave their name and contact information inside your door if you’re not home, but in many cases, you will not be able to find the driver. It can be reported to the police although unless there is a witness or some video evidence it is not likely that the person responsible will be found. Homeowners should cover this expense, but the cost of a mailbox is usually well below the typical deductible on most homeowners’ policy. If you suspect a case of vandalism instead of a driver not stopping, that would be a situation that your local police should be contacted.
If you do have a damaged mailbox, many installation companies can provide a temporary post and mailbox that you can use until you can arrange to have a new one installed. The cost of a temporary post is typically prorated if you contract with the company that provided the temporary.