Does Car Insurance Cover Tires?
- Comprehensive and collision insurance will pay for new tires if yours are damaged by a covered peril.
- Because these coverages come with a deductible, it might not always be worth it to file a claim.
Comprehensive insurance is your best bet for tire damage protection. Enter your ZIP code for car insurance quotes from 100+ companies.
Will my auto insurance cover tire damage?
Normal wear and tear on tires is not covered by auto insurance—that is to say, when it's time for a new set, insurance isn't going to cover them. Tire damage, however, can be covered if the damage occured due to a covered peril (like vandalism or theft). Protection will only extend if you have comprehensive and collision coverage on your policy. Let's dive in a bit deeper on when car insurance covers tires.
| Scenario | Peril | Is it covered? |
|---|---|---|
| My tire was slashed | Vandalism | ✅ Yes |
| My tire popped from a pothole | Comprehensive | ✅ Yes |
| My tire was damaged in an accident | Collision | ✅ Yes |
| I got a flat tire | Varies | ❓It depends |
| I need new tires after years of use | Wear and tear | 🚫 No |
While there are lots of circumstances that lead to insurance paying for new tires, there are also some exclusions that insurance doesn't commonly cover. For example, the two final scenarios list in the table. Expand the sections below for further explanation.
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How many tires does insurance cover?
There’s a popular rumor known as the “three-tire rule”—that if only three of your four tires are slashed, insurance won’t cover it. This is just not true— vandalism is vandalism. If your policy includes comprehensive coverage and your tires are deliberately damaged, whether it’s one, three, or all four, your insurer should have your back.
The bottom line: As long as the damage was caused by a covered peril like vandalism, your policy will cover the cost to replace as many tires as needed
Tire damage and claim filing: is it worth it?
As we've discussed, tire damage can be covered under comprehensive or collision insurance. It's important to note, though, that each of these coverages comes with a deductible— the amount depends on what you set at the inception of your policy, usually $500 or $1,000.
A deductible is the amount you pay before insurance kicks in. So, it's crucial to consider this when deciding whether or not to file a claim for your tires.
-
You've already met your deductible in this policy period.
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Tire replacement will cost more than your deductible amount.
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The cost to repair or replace your damaged tire(s) is less than—or close to—your deductible.
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The bump in your future rates might cost more than what your insurance actually paid out, since submitting a claim often leads to higher premiums.
Updating data...
| Company | No claims | One collision claim | One comprehesive claim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allstate | $247 | $255 | $254 |
| Farmers | $200 | $211 | $210 |
| GEICO | $158 | $164 | $160 |
| Progressive | $179 | $207 | $202 |
| State Farm | $196 | $197 | $196 |
| Travelers | $121 | $133 | $146 |
| USAA | $139 | $140 | $139 |
Source: The Zebra
*Note: Some companies offer accident forgiveness, which means that your first accident will not result in rate hikes. This is an optional coverage that you must select and pay for at the start of your policy.
Should I File a Car Insurance Claim [Free Calculator]
Use our claims calculator to help decide if you should file a claim after an acident.
Tire repair vs. replacement
Up until this point, we have been discussing a full tire replacement. But what about a simple repair? If a damaged tire just needs a patch, there is little reason to go through insurance. Repairs can be less costly than replacements, and very unlikely to cost more than your deductible. Still, if it turns out to be worth it, your insurance company would pay as long as they deem the damage to be repairable.
Let's say you popped a tire while driving and became stranded on the side of the road. You could call your roadside assistance provider to come and replace it with a new one. While this allows you to get back on the road quickly, you will still have to pay for the repair or replacement.
We partnered with FIMC to bring you one of the best roadside assistance options in the market. Auto Hero is designed to fill in the gaps not traditionally covered by insurance and warranties. And here's a tip: pay up front for the annual plan and get two months free!
Tire warranty plans explained
When you get new tires, they often come with a warranty from the manufacturer. A warranty means you won't have to pay full price for a replacement tire if needed before the expiration date.
There are a few different types of tire warranty plans, though. Some are standard and are automatically included with the sale of the tire, and others can be purchased for added protection.
Treadwear warranty
- Covers your tires for a set number of years or miles (e.g., five years or 50,000 miles).
- To qualify, your tires must wear evenly and have tread depth of 2/32" or less.
- If eligible, the manufacturer will prorate the remaining mileage owed, which can be put towards new tires.
Materials warranty
- Protects against defects in materials or manufacturing from the time the tire was made.
- Full coverage is available before the tread wears down to 2/32"; afterwards, reimbursement is prorated.
- Requires proof the issue is due to manufacturing, not wear or poor maintenance.
Uniformity warranty
- Covers ride-quality issues like vibrations or bumps caused by tire defects.
- These issues are rare and usually noticeable right after installation.
- Coverage typically lasts from 30 days to one year.
Road-hazard warranty
- Helps cover repair or replacement costs due to potholes, nails, glass, or other road debris.
- Does not cover damage from curbs, sidewalks, or other stationary objects.
- Typically offered by tire retailers and lasts for about one year.
The final word: Do you need tire insurance?
When we say tire insurance, we refer to the all-encompassing world of tire protection: comprehensive and collision coverage, warranties, and roadside assistance. Ultimately, we do recommend carrying all of these coverages, but mostly because they offer so much more protection than just for your tires. When it comes to filing a claim, however, the answer is not so cut and dry. Remember to ask yourself the proper questions (as outlined above) before taking that step.
Frequently asked questions about tire insurance
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