Does Car Insurance Cover Damage To Tires
Having adequate insurance coverage can help protect you if youre in an accident or another covered event damages your vehicle. Car insurance may even help pay for tire damage in certain situations. But what your policy covers depends on how the tires were damaged and what types of coverage you have.
Insurance Coverage For Slashed Tires
If youre leaving work or out running errands and you see that your tires are slashed, the first thing you should do is figure out if your insurance policy will cover your damaged tires. If you only have liability coverage, then your insurance will not pay for the tires. As CarInsurance.com points out, liability insurance only covers damage or injuries resulting from an accident that youre at fault for. Because slashed tires are usually the result of deliberate acts of vandalism and, in some cases, poorly maintained roads, they are not covered by liability insurance.
CarInsurance.com also notes that comprehensive insurance will cover your slashed tires. However, you must have a comprehensive policy already in place, and many drivers dont because its an optional policy not required by law. Keep in mind, if you do have comprehensive coverage and you file a claim, you have to pay a deductible. If replacing your tires costs less than your deductible, it doesnt make sense to file a claim.
Lets say that two of your tires are slashed, and its going to cost $350 to replace them. If your deductible is $500, youll end up paying for the replacement because your deductible exceeds the repair costs. Plus, most insurance companies will only pay the depreciated value of the tires. That means if your insurance covers your new tires, theyll have to cost less than what you paid for your damaged tires.
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Had a flat tire recently? Its difficult to think of a more annoying and frustrating experience when youre driving, especially if youre in a hurry. So what do you do when youve had a flat? Does insurance cover flat tires? If so, is the repair covered by your existing policy? Or do you need to increase your coverage? You might even be wondering if theres such a thing as flat tire insurance, and if theres coverage to help you with a flat tire.
The good news is that car insurance covers a flat tire if it is caused by vandalism, theft, or a collision. However, if the tire is simply old or your vehicle gets your standard wear and tear flat, that will not be covered.
Read through this article to learn the answers to these and other questions about flat tires, including how car insurance companies handle slashed tires, damaged wheels, stolen tires, and what type of auto insurance covers flat tires.
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If It Isnt Wear And Tear
Pothole damage
Blowouts that cause additional damage
Vandalism
If your tires are popped or slashed, itâs considered vandalism and insurance will cover the cost of replacements
Key Takeaway Insurance wonât cover tire damage after a blowout, but it may cover other damage to your car that occurs as the result of a blowout.
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Other Options To Help When You Get A Nail In Your Tire
You may need to consider alternative solutions to assist you if you get a nail in your tire. Roadside assistance is typically available through your auto insurance carrier. This assistance will help you if you get a nail in your tire causing a flat tire.
These services typically will pay for someone coming out to assist you with your tire, and can also deliver fuel to you or have your car towed. Useful services such as these have a low-cost monthly fee of a minimum of $15-20 per month . Some credit card companies even offer these types of services to their customers as part of their credit card agreement.
A service similar to this is often included in car rental insurance, something that is wise to have if you plan to drive a rental car a significant distance.
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Does My Car Insurance Cover Tires
You might be thinking, I pay for car insurance, so why would I need a separate tire protection plan? So, does car insurance cover tire expenses? The short answer is noyour car insurance is rarely a reliable option for tires. Lets take a closer look.
Technically speaking, certain kinds of tire damage might be covered by your car insurancedepending on how comprehensive your insurance is. However, there are a few points to consider before filing an insurance claim:
- Deductible: You will have to meet your deductible before your insurance kicks in. If you are buying a $200 tire and your deductible is $500, you will still have to pay for the tire out of pocket.
- Insurance Rates: Filing a claim for your tire replacement may raise your insurance ratescosting you more long-term.
- Type of Damage: Insurance coverage is often limited based on the source of your tire damage. If your tires are slashed, for example, a comprehensive insurance plan will likely cover this kind of damage. However, tire insurance seldom applies to road hazardssuch as damage caused by nails, potholes, glass, and debris on the road.
As such, car insurance is not necessarily an option when it comes to tire damage. Many drivers choose Road Hazard Tire Protection as a safeguard instead.
What Roadside Assistance Service Includes
When youre stranded on the side of the road, a roadside assistance program will connect you with the right professional whether you need minor repairs, gasoline or something else.
Towing service providers will take your car to the nearest mechanic up to a specified distance. If you need your car towed past that limit, the provider will charge you for the overage.
Battery jump-start service providers will restart your battery if its dead.
Flat-tire service professionals will replace your flat tire with your spare. But roadside assistance might not cover a flat tire for a motorcycle or similar vehicle.
Lockout service and locksmith service helps you get into your car if youre locked out, but theres a difference between the two. Lockout service providers typically try to unlock the car door using a pump wedge or a long-reach tool. If those methods dont work, the provider will call a locksmith.
Fuel-delivery service providers will deliver enough fuel to get you to the nearest gas station. If the service provider charges for this separately, theyll use the local pump price.
Extrication or winching service is the process of moving a vehicle when its stuck. You may need to pay extra if it takes more than one service professional and truck to dislodge the car.
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Does Auto Insurance Cover A Nail In The Tire
No, auto insurance still wont cover your flat tire from a nail. However, if you crash because of a flat tire, your insurance company will cover some of the vehicle body repair costs. And if you are wondering does auto insurance cover tire damage from potholes, the answer is the same as for flat tires from nails.
Bottom line? Auto insurance companies rarely cover flat tires. If your cars tires were slashed or stolen, however, then you may be able to make a claim under your comprehensive coverage and your insurance may pay for slashed tires.
If you have roadside assistance , then the cost of replacing your flat tire with your spare tire should be covered, although the actual tire will not be covered.
Now that you know the ins and outs of auto insurance coverage and flat tires, nows the time to save big. Shop for cheap auto insurance rates by entering your ZIP code into our free auto insurance comparison tool now.
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Use Protectant On Your Tires
Another step to keep your tires in tip-top shape is to use a protectant on tires. Protectants are chemicals that prevent natural elements and sunlight from corroding your tire’s rubber tread. Using a water-based protectant can prevent your tires from developing rot. Select protectants that have UV protection for rubber, vinyl and plastics.
Keep in mind that Protectants won’t protect your car from sharp objects or damage caused by normal wear and tear of aging tires.
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Does A Warranty Cover A Blown Tire What Does A Tire Warranty Cover
Road hazard warranties will cover repair or replacement fees for flat tires. What does a tire and wheel warranty cover? Usually, the warranty protects the consumer from manufacturing defects or faulty materials used in the tire. It also covers a vehicle in the event of damage caused by a road hazard, such as glass, potholes, debris, and nails.
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Comprehensive Covers Acts Of Vandalism
Comprehensive car insurance protects your vehicle when its damaged by something other than a collision. This includes things like fire, severe weather, collision with animals, theft, and vandalism. Slashed tires are considered a type of vandalism.
Be aware that most insurance companies pay to restore your vehicle to its state before the accident. The insurer will subtract value to account for the milage your tires had before being slashed. So, youll get new tires, but you might have to pay for a portion of the cost.
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Does Car Insurance Cover Flat Tire
Keeping this in view, does car insurance cover nail in tire?
So if you run over a nail and get a flat, your insurance company will likely tell you youre on your own. However, insurance companies will cover damage to your vehicle if a blowout or flat tire is the culprit. Additionally, if you get into an accident as a result of a flat, insurance should also come into play.
Also Know, does insurance cover tires being slashed? Slashed tires are considered an act of vandalism and therefore wont be covered inside a basic insurance policy. If you only have basic coverage, you would be responsible for replacing the tires on your own.
Then, what happens if you get a flat tire in a rental car?
If you shelled out for the rental companys roadside assistance, use it. In this case, the rental car company is responsible for covering the labor cost for replacing the flat or damaged tire or getting the car towed to the nearest service facility. You may end up paying for the tire yourself.
Does Geico pay flat tires?
GEICO Emergency Road Service may cover more roadside emergencies than competitors doand for a lower price. Recently had a flat tire and the roadside assistance feature on the app was super easy to use.
Is Tire Insurance Right For You
Buying tire insurance in addition to the coverage you already have with a manufacturers warranty may or may not be a good idea for you. You will have to weigh the pros and cons and decide whether the protection is worth the cost of the coverage for you.
Consider what is and isnt covered, as well as the cost, and compare the cost of insurance against the cost of buying a new tire.
If road-hazard insurance is included for free when purchasing tires, it may be a good idea to take advantage of it.
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Does Auto Insurance Cover Slashed Tires The Bottom Line
Getting your tires slashed will definitely put a dent in your day. But as long as you have the right kind of coverage, your auto insurance should take care of the damage. Once you confirm that you have car insurance for slashed tires and verify your deductible, you can determine if its a wise move to file the claim or pay for the new tires on your own.
When Auto Insurance Doesn’t Cover Flat Tires
Although comprehensive coverage and collision insurance cover damage resulting from unexpected events, they don’t cover all incidents. According to Kelley Blue Book, auto insurance coverage won’t cover tire damage in the following situations.
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Normal wear and tear – Car insurance coverage won’t cover normal wear and tear your car receives. Your insurance only protects you against unexpected situations. Carriers consider changing out old or worn tires as part of the costs of maintaining your vehicle.
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Road hazards – Insurance won’t pay for nails, glass, or other objects that damage your vehicle’s tires when you drive. You will likely have to pay for these costs out of pocket.
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Flat tire – Your car insurance policy won’t cover your tire if it suddenly goes flat. If you have a roadside assistance plan with your insurance company, they may help you put on a spare so you can drive someplace to get it repaired or replaced.
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Tire Protection Plans: Are They Worth It
When buying new tires, you might look for ways to save money. Chapel Hill Tire makes saving easy by offering a Price Beat Guarantee however, some drivers might try to save money by cutting out their tire protection plan. Are tire protection plans worth it? The experts at Chapel Hill Tire are here with insight.
Tire Maintenance And Car Insurance
Theres a good chance you or a driver you know has at least one tire that is not as well-maintained as it should be. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that one in four vehicles have at least one tire that is underinflated. So what can you do? Keep reading to find out.
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How Do I Tell If I Have A Flat Tire
If your tire goes flat while your vehicle is parked, its easy to spot. But recognizing a flat while driving can be more difficult. Here are some warning signs:
- Warning light: In the United States, all vehicles manufactured since 2008 have been required to come equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system . If you get a flat tire, a warning light will illuminate on your dash. This light typically looks like the cross section of a tire with an exclamation point in the center.
- Noise: A flat tire will make a lot of noise, typically in the form of a loud thumping or flapping sound.
- Vibration: Along with the noise, youll feel a shaking or vibration from within the vehicle.
- Steering: When your tire is flat, your vehicle will drift or pull toward the side with the bad tire. The change in steering will feel more pronounced if a front tire has deflated.
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It Depends On The Type Of Insurance Coverage You Have
Basic car insurance coverage, also known as minimum liability auto insurance, does not cover slashed tires.
Bodily injury and property damage liability insurance covers damages or losses that were the result of an accident that you caused.
Slashed tires are most often the result of an act of vandalism or perhaps even poor road conditions. In the case of slashed tires, because the damage was not caused by another driver, liability will not cover it.
Consider the following questions, then read on to learn more about insurance rates for slashed tires:
- Was your car damaged by a person with a sharp object ?
- Did you hit or run over something that damaged your car ?
- Did your tires become damaged by normal wear and tear?
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Chapel Hill Tire: Industry
When you are due for new tires, Chapel Hill Tire offers a revolutionary tire buying experience. We make it easy to buy tires online with our Tire Finder Tool. Our local mechanics also help drivers protect their investment with our industry-leading Road Hazard Tire Protection Plan.
Chapel Hill Tire proudly serves the greater Triangle area with 9 locations across Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Apex, Raleigh, and Durham. Our expert mechanics also commonly serve surrounding communities, including Knightdale, Cary, Pittsboro, Wake Forest, Hillsborough, Morrisville, and beyond. We invite you to make an appointment, browse our coupons, or give us a call to get started today!
What To Do If You Get A Flat Tire In A Rental Car
Last Updated on October 23, 2022 by Michael
If you get a flat tire in a rental car, theres a good chance that theres no spare tire in the trunkand even if there is, theres unlikely to be a jack or a lug wrench. So whats your next step?
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Your first call should be to the rental car companys dedicated roadside assistance line or customer service number. If you shelled out for the rental companys roadside assistance, use it. In this case, the rental car company is responsible for covering the labor cost for replacing the flat or damaged tire or getting the car towed to the nearest service facility.
What may dismay a lot of renters is that roadside assistance does not necessarily cover the cost of the new tire itselfjust the labor cost. You may end up paying for the tire yourself.
Didnt purchase the roadside assistance option? After notifying the rental car company, youll need to arrange roadside assistance on your own. Before calling for a mechanic or a tow truck, find out if you are eligible for free roadside assistance through your credit card, personal auto insurance or membership in a club or organization.
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