Car insurance usually covers repairs for things like accidents and other specific kinds of damage listed in your policy. But don’t expect things like routine maintenance or mechanical breakdowns to be included.
Here’s way more than you need to know about when car insurance covers repairs.
TL;DR
- Car insurance covers repairs related to accidents when you have collision and comprehensive coverage included in your policy.
- Comprehensive coverage and collision coverage are typically optional, but if you lease or finance your car, your lender will probably require you to have them.
- Routine maintenance or mechanical issues aren’t covered by car insurance, but you may have an extended warranty from a car dealership.
- You can also look into getting a car repair insurance policy.
How does car insurance cover repairs?
Let’s take a look at what car insurance coverages help cover the costs to repair your car:
Collision coverage
Collision coverage helps cover accident-related repairs to your car, like fixing a dented bumper after a collision with another car. You’re usually covered up to the actual cash value of your car, minus your deductible, which generally ranges between $500 and $1,000.
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage helps with repairs and replacements caused by things that aren’t accidents, like vandalism, theft, or damage from natural disasters like hailstorms. The coverage amount is based on the car’s ACV (actual cash value) and is subject to your deductible, usually between $100 and $1,000.
Temporary transportation coverage
Temporary transportation coverage can help pay for alternative transportation methods while your car’s in the shop after a covered incident. At Lemonade, pretty much any type of transportation is covered for up to a month while you’re waiting on repairs (as long as the reason for your car repair is covered). You have a daily limit and can use the money to help with the costs of rideshares, rental cars, or even public transport like buses and trains.
When does car insurance cover repairs?
Car insurance usually helps cover repairs to your car if it’s damaged in an accident or something like vandalism. Let’s take a look at a few examples of how your coverage might work.
Picture this: You’re driving home from work and accidentally hit a tree, damaging your bumper and denting the hood. With collision insurance, your insurance company will cover the repair costs after you pay your deductible. If the repair costs for your car are $3,500 and your deductible is $500, your insurance company could pay $3,000.
Comprehensive coverage works in a similar way. Say a strong storm hits your area, and high winds knock a tree branch onto your car, causing $2,500 in damage. With comprehensive coverage and a $250 deductible, your insurance could cover the remaining $2,250 for repairs. Now, imagine your car needs three days in the shop. If you have temporary transportation coverage, it can help cover the cost of a rental car, or a bunch of rideshares, so you can keep moving while your car gets repaired.
When are repairs not covered by car insurance?
Car insurance doesn’t cover repairs when the damage is from routine maintenance or wear and tear, like:
- Brake pads wearing out
- Flat tires resulting from long-term use
- Mechanical failures like a broken engine part
- Cosmetic damage, like sun damage to leather seats
These are considered non-accident issues and fall under routine maintenance or extended warranties, not car insurance. Unfortunately, filing a claim with your car insurance won’t help in these situations.
By the way, neglecting maintenance could lead to claims being declined that would otherwise would have been covered. Imagine you’ve been too busy to take your car in for an oil change after the warning light came on. A month passes, and you continue to ignore it—until your engine fails. Since oil changes are considered routine maintenance, the damage caused by neglecting it wouldn’t be covered by your car insurance.
What should I do if my car needs repairs?
If you find that your car needs repairs due to an incident that could be covered under your car insurance—whether you got into an accident with another vehicle, or your car sustained hail damage during a storm— here’s what you need to do next:
- Stop and assess: First, make sure everyone is safe and call emergency services anyone needs them. Then determine the cause of the damage–was it accident-related or due to circumstances outside of your control, like a natural disaster?.
- File a police report if necessary: For incidents like theft, vandalism, or major accidents, you usually need a police report to file an insurance claim.
- Document damage: Take photos of the damage from multiple angles and gather any incident details including where the accident happened and what it was.
- Notify your insurance company: Contact your provider as soon as possible to report the incident and file a claim.
At Lemonade, we designed our digital claims process to be as quick and easy as possible. Just submit your claim through the app with the help of our chatbot, AI Jim. We’ll pair you up with one of Lemonade Car’s claims adjusters to help you with the rest of the process.
Before we go…
Understanding what car insurance does and doesn’t cover for repairs can save you from unexpected repair costs. Whether it’s fixable damage from an accident or non-accident wear and tear, knowing your coverage gives you peace of mind.
Ready to start driving with confidence? Get a quote today.
FAQs
Does car insurance cover parts replacements?
If you need a part replaced because of a covered accident you’d get coverage for parts replacement through collision or comprehensive coverage. However, car insurance does not cover mechanical issues or normal wear and tear, such as engine problems or worn-out tires, as these are considered routine maintenance responsibilities for the vehicle owner.
Does insurance help with oil changes or tire rotations?
No, routine car maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations is not covered. These are considered routine maintenance, and fall outside the scope of car insurance policies.
Can car insurance pay for a tow to a repair shop?
Yes, most car insurers offer an option to include roadside assistance on your policy. If your policy does include coverage for roadside assistance, it can help you tow your car to the repair shop after an accident.
At Lemonade, those who have roadside assistance coverage are eligible for up to 3 services, for each car listed on a Lemonade Car policy during a 6-month term.
What if I don’t have collision or comprehensive insurance?
Without these coverages, you’d have to pay for repairs to your car out of pocket, which can get pricey, especially for major damage. Unless you were in an accident where the other driver caused it and their liability insurance covers it.
Does car insurance cover mechanical problems?
Car insurance typically does not cover mechanical problems, as these are considered normal wear and tear or maintenance issues. For example, issues like a failing transmission or worn brake pads fall outside the scope of standard car insurance coverage.
However, some mechanical repairs may be covered if they result from an accident or a covered incident, like hitting a deer. For regular mechanical issues, options like extended warranties or car repair insurance are more suitable.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
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