Car insurance protects you and other drivers from financial losses that might arise if you get involved in an unfortunate accident or if your car is damaged by covered events such as theft, vandalism, inclement weather, etc. However, no single car insurance policy covers all forms of car repairs. Instead, different policies cover the repair of damages incurred in specific situations. Therefore, if you need to make repairs not covered by your insurance policy, you would most likely have to pay for it yourself.
Fortunately, there is a way to mitigate this. And that is to sign-up for an insurance add-on that applies to situations not covered by your primary policy. In this article, we will examine the repairs that car insurance policies cover. With this knowledge, you can get the most value out of your policy.
Damages Caused by Collisions
If your vehicle gets damaged in a collision, your insurer will most likely pay for the repairs. This includes situations where
- The collision is the other driver’s fault, and he has auto liability insurance.
- You collided with an uninsured driver, but you have Uninsured Motorist Property Damage (UMPD) insurance.
- You have collision coverage; this applies regardless of whether the collision is your fault or not.
Will Non-accident Repairs be Covered?
The straightforward answer to this question is: it depends. If you have a comprehensive auto insurance policy, then yes, your insurer will pay for at least a part of the repairs. The caveat is that the non-accident repairs are limited to damages caused by fire, hailstorms, floods, falling objects, theft, etc. A standard auto insurance policy does not cover such repairs.
Will I be Covered for Maintenance?
A typical car insurance policy does not cover routine maintenance costs. Thus, all maintenance activities, including oil change, tire rotations, brake checks, etc., will have to be paid for from your own pocket. However, with the right add-on, you can upgrade your policy to do so.
Other Alternatives to Consider
The following are a few alternatives that can help cover your regular car repairs:
- Auto warranty- depending on the duration of the warranty (usually 3 to 5 years), it may cover certain repairs and maintenance costs.
- Roadside assistance- covers services like flat tire changes, on-site repairs, and lockout services.
- Car repair coverage- requires a deductible to make a repair claim but covers a broad range of repair services involving your vehicle’s engine, exhaust, electrical systems, and more.
In conclusion, there is no one-size-fits-all car insurance policy. However, you can enhance the capacities of your policy by purchasing add-ons. At Gee-Schussler Insurance Agency, we can help you put together a robust insurance policy that will offer the best possible protection for your vehicle. Talk to our experts today to get started.
