Will Your Auto Insurance Pay for Tire Damage?
Many first-time car owners are surprised to learn that standard auto insurance might not cover every inch of the car. For example, the tires and wheels might not be covered depending on some factors. If your car has suffered tire damage, below are some of the things that will determine whether your carrier will pay for the damage.
Coverage
Auto insurance comes in different coverage, and some coverage provides for tire damage while others don't. For example, you won't get tire damage compensation if you only have liability coverage. Liability coverage only compensates other people who might suffer losses as a result of your driving mishaps.
However, your insurance carrier may pay for your tire damages if you have collision or comprehensive coverage. Collision coverage covers damages you might suffer if your car collides with another car, object, or the road (for example, if your car flips over). Comprehensive coverage covers other damages other than those covered by collision coverage.
Nature or Cause of Damage
The exact cause or nature of the damage also determines whether your insurance carrier will pay for the damage. For example, no insurance policy will pay you for damages caused by wear and tear. Car tires, even the best ones, eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Therefore, if your tires burst because they are too worn out, then you shouldn't expect compensation from your carrier.
Damage may also be covered by one policy and not another. For example, roadside assistance coverage will help you to patch up or replace a tire, but not if your tires are slashed by an errant kid. For the slashed tires, you need comprehensive coverage to help settle the damages.
Past Claims
In some policies, there is a limit on the number of tire-related claims you can make in a given year. For example, some policies restrict motorists to one or two tire or rim damage claims per year. If that is the case with your policy, then your current tire damage might not be compensated if you have had one or two claims settled in the last few months.
Exclusions
Lastly, some auto insurance policies exclude specific damages. For example, many policies exclude tire bursts, punctures, and road cuts. The rationale is that such damages are almost inevitable, and insurance coverage only covers unexpected risks. Therefore, read your policy to find out whether your damage is excluded or not before filing a claim.
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