Will My Insurance Pay for Car Repairs After a Crash?

Overview

If you are involved in a car accident, your auto insurance may help pay for the cost of repairs, assuming the damage results from the collision or a covered incident like fire or theft.

Repairs resulting from mechanical breakdown or wear and tear are not normally covered by car insurance policies.

You should always familiarize yourself with the coverage details of your car insurance policy. This brief guide will outline some of the different scenarios for car repairs and show you whether your auto insurance is likely to cover these costs.

Will Car Insurance Cover Repairs If My Car Breaks Down?

Maintenance such as oil changes is not normally included in auto insurance coverage.

Regardless of whether it’s routine maintenance like an oil change, a mechanical failure, or even a blown engine, you will not get compensation for these repairs through your car insurance policy.

Don’t expect your auto insurance coverage to extend to repairs or replacement when something breaks down on your vehicle. Plan to pay out of pocket for all maintenance-related issues.

What Should I Do If My Car Is Damaged in an Auto Accident?

If your vehicle is damaged in an accident with another vehicle or an object like a wall, fence, or tree, the collision coverage on your auto insurance can help cover the cost of repairs.

Usually, collision coverage also applies when you are involved in a single-vehicle accident—rolling the car, for instance.

Collision coverage may also help if you damage your car hitting a pothole. If the impact causes body damage or mechanical issues, collision coverage often helps pay for the related repairs.

Collision coverage is normally optional if you own your vehicle outright. However, if you lease or finance a car, the lender or dealership often requires you to carry collision coverage.

With collision coverage, you choose a deductible, which is the amount you must pay toward a claim before the coverage kicks in.

If you are involved in a car accident and do not have collision coverage, you could be responsible for paying the full cost of repairs or replacement.

If the accident is severe enough that your car is totaled, collision coverage will normally provide you with the actual cash value of the car at the time of the wreck.

Will Insurance Cover the Cost of Non-Accident Repairs?

What happens if your car sustains damage outside of a collision?

In this case, comprehensive insurance coverage can help cover the cost of repairs. This coverage typically extends to damage caused by the following:

• Theft
• Fire
• Natural disasters
• Vandalism
• Animal damage
• Falling objects

While returning to your car to find a tree has smashed onto the hood or colliding with an animal on a country road is highly inconvenient, comprehensive coverage means you shouldn’t end up significantly out of pocket. All you need to concern yourself with is paying the deductible and accepting any policy limits regarding coverage.

Will Insurance Cover the Cost of a Rental If My Vehicle Breaks Down?

When your vehicle breaks down, car insurance will not cover the cost of a rental. That said, you can purchase optional rental reimbursement coverage to help defray the cost of a rental car or other forms of transportation if your car is out of commission after a covered insurance claim. If, for example, your car needs repairs after an accident, this type of coverage will help you pay for renting a car or taking buses and trains. This optional coverage normally has strict limits in place.

Other Options for Protecting Your Car

Anyone requiring extra protection against costly repairs should consider a car warranty. A warranty normally comes with a new vehicle and is designed to help cover the costs of some mechanical breakdowns. Most warranties cover designated parts and defects for a set period or until the car hits a certain mileage.

Roadside assistance is another option that offers peace of mind on the road, even if you know nothing about car maintenance. Most of these services offer the following:

• Flat tire changes
• Jump-starts for dead batteries
• Towing after a breakdown

Most roadside services are available on a membership basis, while some are included as part of your car insurance coverage. Others are available as needed.

Auto insurance does not normally cover routine maintenance or mechanical repairs, but it does provide protection for myriad accident-related scenarios. Review your policy closely and seek guidance if necessary to ensure you have a full understanding of what your coverage includes.

Car accident lawsuit loans

If you are unable to get either insurance company to pay for the damage to your vehicle and you need to replace your car as soon as possible, car crash lawsuit loans can help. Uplift Legal Funding can provide accident loans as soon as a few weeks after your accident and help bridge the gap between your injury and compensation.

Learn More

• Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?
• What’s in Your Car Accident Settlement Agreement?