What Does Auto Insurance Cover?

Car insurance isn’t just a nice-to-have — in almost every state, drivers are required to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance in order to protect both themselves and other drivers on the road.

But whether you’re a new driver buying your first auto insurance policy or you’ve been on the road for years and are considering changing carriers, one important step of making sure you’re properly covered is knowing what is, and isn’t typically covered by car insurance.

Below, we offer a brief overview of what car insurance is and the types of coverage that policies can provide. Then, we dive into the nitty-gritty and answer specific coverage questions that drivers often have.

What is auto insurance?

Auto insurance, or car insurance, is a type of insurance policy designed to help drivers pay for the various costs that can arise from a car accident. This can include medical expenses for you and others, damage to your vehicle, damage to other vehicles or property involved in the accident, legal expenses, and more.

Does auto insurance cover the driver or the car?

Generally speaking, an auto insurance policy covers a vehicle, not a specific driver. This means that your policy will most likely kick in if your vehicle is involved in an accident regardless of who is driving it. Importantly, this is true of all of the coverage types that your policy offers, including liability coverage.

Does car insurance cover guest drivers?

Yes. As noted above, most auto insurance policies will usually cover guest drivers that you have given permission to use your vehicle, as long as they:

• Have a valid driver’s license
• Have permission to drive your vehicle
• Were not under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Are not using the vehicle for commercial use
• Are not listed as an excluded driver on your policy

Does car insurance cover rental cars?

Usually. If you have personal car insurance and you’re in an accident while driving a rental car, most policies will provide coverage as though you were driving your personal vehicle.

There may, however, be exceptions; some insurance policies specifically exempt luxury rental cars, for example. Likewise, it’s important to note that the amount of coverage provided by your policy may or may not provide adequate coverage for your rental vehicle, particularly if that vehicle is worth substantially more than your personal vehicle.

Does auto insurance cover crime?

If you’re the victim of a crime that results in damage to your vehicle or injuries to you while driving, your auto policy may provide coverage. Ultimately, the answer depends on the type of crime that occurred, the type of damage or injury that you experienced, and the type of coverage that you carry.

Does car insurance cover a hit and run?

If you’re involved in a car accident and the other driver flees the scene, you may still be able to put in claims against your insurance policy.

If you carry collision coverage, it can help pay for damage to your vehicle, whether you’re at fault for the accident or not. If you carry personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage, it can help cover medical bills for injuries that you and your passengers received during the accident. Depending on the state you live in, it may also be possible to put in a claim against your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, if you carry it.

Does car insurance cover vandalism?

Vandalism to your vehicle is generally considered to be outside your control. With this in mind, if your car is vandalized, and you carry comprehensive coverage, any repair or cleanup related to that vandalism should be covered by your policy.

This is also true if your vehicle is damaged or destroyed during a riot or other form of civil unrest.

Does car insurance cover theft?

If your policy includes comprehensive coverage, it will typically cover many types of theft. This includes instances where your vehicle is stolen, as well as instances where components of your vehicle (such as a catalytic converter) are stolen.

It will not, however, typically cover the theft of personal property stored inside your vehicle, such as a camera, phone, laptop, wallet, purse, jewelry, or anything else you happen to leave inside. That being said, your homeowners insurance policy may provide coverage for personal property stolen from your car.

Does auto insurance cover repairs?

If your vehicle is damaged during an accident covered by your insurance policy, then yes, any repairs resulting from that damage will typically be covered, unless your car is totaled. However, you’ll need to meet your out-of-pocket deductible before coverage kicks in.

Repairs made necessary from wear and tear, routine maintenance, mechanical breakdown, and neglect will not typically be covered.

Does car insurance cover wear and tear?

As noted above, your auto policy will most likely not provide coverage against wear and tear that your vehicle sees. Drivers are responsible for paying for maintenance, including:

• Oil changes
• Other fluids (brake, steering)
• New batteries
• New spark plugs
• New tires
• Headlight replacements
• Brake replacements

Does car insurance cover breakdowns?

No. Unless they are tied to a covered accident, mechanical breakdowns are not covered by your auto insurance. This includes damage to your engine, belts, transmission, water pump, radiator, suspension, alignment, the body of the vehicle, and other components.

That being said, many carriers offer a roadside assistance rider that you can add to your policy for some added peace of mind. With this rider, if your car breaks down or gets a flat, you may be entitled to a tow or other aid to help get your vehicle home.

Does car insurance cover scratches and dents?

If your car is scratched or dented during an accident and you carry collision coverage, then repairing those cosmetic issues may be covered by your policy. Comprehensive coverage may kick in to cover dents, scratches, and door dings caused by other events outside of your control, such as an errant shopping cart.

For minor scratches and dents, it may not be worth it to file a claim unless you know that the repairs will easily surpass your deductible.

Does car insurance cover pothole damage?

Driving your car into an especially large pothole can cause significant damage to your vehicle. This can include damage to your car’s suspension, alignment, tires, wheels, hubcaps, and more.

If you carry collision coverage, this damage will usually be covered. That being said, you’ll have to meet your deductible before coverage kicks in, so it may or may not make sense to submit a claim for minor damage caused by a pothole.

Does car insurance cover windshield replacement?

If your windshield is damaged or cracked during a covered accident and you have collision coverage, then a windshield repair or replacement will most likely be covered by your auto policy.

If your windshield is damaged from something outside of an accident — like a fallen tree branch, stray golf ball, or a rock falling off of a truck on the highway — replacement will usually only be covered if you have comprehensive coverage.

Does car insurance cover animal damage?

Yes, as long as you have comprehensive coverage. Animal damage is generally considered to be an event out of your control, whether it’s caused by:

• Rodents (squirrels, mice) chewing on your car’s wiring
• A raccoon breaking in and tearing up your seats or lining
• Deer or moose ramming into your vehicle
• A bear breaking your window or denting your car

What if you hit a deer while driving? While it might sound like this incident would involve your collision insurance, hitting a deer is still considered an event outside of your control, and usually involves comprehensive coverage.

That being said, collision coverage may enter the picture if you swerve your vehicle to avoid hitting a deer or other animal, and that causes you to hit another vehicle or property.

Does auto insurance cover weather damage?

If you carry comprehensive coverage and your vehicle is damaged by a weather event, that damage will most likely be covered unless the weather event is specifically excluded from your policy. This can include, but isn’t limited to, storm damage resulting from:

• Hail
• High winds
• Flying debris
• Lightning strike
• Fire (resulting from lightning strike)
• Water and flooding

Does car insurance cover natural disasters?

Yes, damage caused to your vehicle by natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, and other events will typically be covered as long as you carry comprehensive coverage.

Does car insurance cover a tree falling on your car?

Yes, if a tree falls on and damages your car — whether a branch or a whole tree — and you carry comprehensive coverage, repairs will most likely be covered once you have met your out of pocket deductible.

It should be noted, however, that there are some instances where another person may be responsible to cover tree-related repairs to your vehicle. This can include instances where a neighbor’s tree has fallen on your car out of neglect (improper maintenance) or if a landscaper or tree removal company inadvertently causes the damage. In those cases, the other party’s insurance will likely kick in to cover any repairs.

Does car insurance cover flooding?

Flood damage to your vehicle will usually be covered as long as you carry comprehensive insurance. This can include water damage caused by prolonged rain, storm surge, and other types of rising water.

If you leave your window or sunroof open, for example, and rain causes damage to your car, that will most likely not be covered. Likewise, water damage caused by maintenance issues, such as improper sealing around your windows, may not be covered.

Does car insurance cover injuries?

Yes. Multiple types of auto coverage are designed to help pay for medical and hospital bills incurred after an accident.

If you or your passengers are injured during an accident, personal injury protection (PIP) or medical payments coverage will kick in to cover those costs regardless of whether you or another driver is at fault. PIP can also help cover lost wages if you are unable to work for a period of time due to your injuries.

If people outside of your vehicle are injured during an accident, such as other drivers or pedestrians, and you’re found to be at fault, bodily injury liability coverage is designed to help cover those expenses. Bodily injury liability coverage can also help pay for lost wages if those individuals can’t work after the accident, and can help cover legal fees.

Does car insurance cover funeral expenses?

If you or your passengers die as the result of a covered accident, PIP insurance may be able to help pay for funeral expenses, including costs related to burials, creations, and memorial services. Likewise, bodily injury liability coverage may cover similar expenses for an individual outside your vehicle.

Make sure you're properly covered

Many common types of vehicle damage are covered only by certain types of “optional” coverage. Even if you meet your state’s minimum coverage requirements, you might not have enough insurance to cover all the costs associated with a major accident.

At Matic, we want to make buying car insurance as easy as possible. Answer a few questions to get a personalized quote with the right amount of coverage for you.