Car Insurance Coverage

Yes, but only if you have comprehensive coverage. This is optional coverage that pays for damages if someone intentionally damages your car—e.g., spray paints the body, keys the door, or smashes your window

A heavy hailstorm can do serious damage to your car, resulting in dings and dents or cracked windshields. If you have comprehensive coverage, though, you’re golden. This optional coverage compensates you for the needed repairs.

If a thief grabs personal belongings that were left in your car, such as your phone or laptop, most auto insurance policies don’t cover it. But some offer a small amount of coverage, so check your policy.

The good news is that most renters and homeowners insurance policies cover theft—even if the thief swiped the items from your car. So if you have home insurance, you’ll likely be compensated for your loss.

Tornadoes, floods, wildfires, earthquakes, hail—there’s no shortage of natural disasters that can wreak havoc on your vehicle. But if you have comprehensive auto insurance, the damage will likely be covered. 

Water damage can require expensive repairs. If you have a comprehensive policy, you’re covered if the damage was caused by a natural flood or something else beyond your control. And while accidents are covered, intentional acts are not.

Sorry, but no. Tire blowout damage is usually caused by normal wear and tear, which isn’t covered by insurance.

Some auto insurance policies may cover lockouts under their roadside assistance plan. AAA Member benefits, for example, include car locksmith service.

It might, depending on the circumstances. If your vehicle collides with another car or crashes into a wall at the carwash, your collision coverage—if you have such a policy—will pay for damages to your car. But if you’re at a car wash and the machines malfunction, damaging your bumper or scraping your paint job, the car wash maybe liable for the damages.

If you have an accident that damages your roof rack, and you have collision coverage, you’re likely covered. This type of coverage will pay for the damage regardless of whether you collide with another vehicle or are hit by some other object. 

No, most auto insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by normal wear and tear, such as rust damage.

Yes. If you have comprehensive coverage, you can file a claim for car damage caused by falling objects—such as divebombing acorns. 

Yes. If you hit your garage door, any damage sustained to your vehicle is covered by your collision policy.

No, you’re not required by law to get full coverage for a used vehicle. If you’re leasing or financing the car, however, your lender may require it.