What Repairs Does My Insurance Cover?
When are your car repairs covered by car insurance?
December 29 2021,
Does my insurance cover repair if my vehicle suffers damage? The answer depends on what type of coverage you have and when/ and where the damage occurred.
If your vehicle was damaged due to a collision or other covered incident, such as a fire or theft, regular car insurance might help offset the cost for repairs. However, repairs for routine mechanical breakdowns as well as normal wear and tear are usually not covered in an insurance policy.
Carrying collision coverage can help you pay for repairs if your vehicle is damaged from an accident with an object or another vehicle. This coverage usually protects you if you're involved in a single-vehicle accident or from hitting a pothole. It also helps if your vehicle has mechanical issues or sustains body damage because of the collision.
Another type of coverage is comprehensive insurance that can offset the costs of repairs. This coverage gives you protection from damage caused by the following:
- Fire
- Theft
- Vandalism
- Natural disasters
- Falling objects
- Animal damage
Who Pays for Repairs After an Accident?
When determining who pays for repairs after an accident, it comes down to who was responsible. If you're the at-fault driver, your insurer will likely cover your repairs after you cover the deductible.
However, if the other driver is at fault, you can file a claim with the other driver's provider. You can also opt to have your insurer pay for your repairs, even if you're not at fault or the other driver isn't responsive or cooperative. In this situation, your insurer pursues compensation from the other driver, including money back for your deductible.
If, for some reason, there's a disagreement as to which driver is responsible for the accident, both insurers can sue each other to recover compensation.
Owning a vehicle comes with plenty of responsibility, and odds are, you will have to pay for repairs at some point.
