How Much Does Car Insurance Cover Scratches and Dents?
Let us accept that dents and dings will always be a part of owning a car. Many of us are too busy to notice, but we have been accumulating tiny damage to our bodywork. Though driving around with these dents and dings won't make our cars look fabulous, the rising cost of insurance premiums makes us think twice about doing something about it. However, knowing how much our insurance can cover and knowing your car repair options is the key to maximizing the value of your insurance coverage. Whether you already have insurance coverage or are in the market for one, this article talks about your options and our recommendation on making the most of insurance coverage (click here) and what you should do, even before an accident happens.
Which Types of Car Insurance Cover Types of Cosmetic Damage
Insurance companies offer specific damage protection for car owners, anticipating which possible cause might result in cosmetic damage.
Auto-collision Coverage:
These car insurance cover damage repair results from an accident caused by another vehicle or something self-inflicted, which we henceforth call "single-car accidents." Examples of these are:
If another car rear-ends you
If another vehicle hits you head-on
If you knock a fence over
If you run onto a guardrail
Comprehensive Coverage:
These car insurance cover damage repair caused by factors beyond your control. That is, it doesn't have to be a vehicle, either yours or another's, to cause the damage:
If a rock somehow shatters your windshield
A branch falls onto your car
If you run over a wild animal
If your vehicle is vandalized
If a car backed up on your car while being parked in a mall
Which Types of Cosmetic Damage Which My Insurance Company Won't cover?
Your insurance company won't cover dents, dings, and scratches caused by wear and tear. Note that you can't account for the cause of these in most instances. Your insurance company won't honor claims made for cosmetic damage that occurred in the previous year. There are time-elapse requirements between damage infliction and filing insurance claims.
Who Will Pay If Another Car's Damage Is My Fault?
The liability coverage in your insurance should cover the repair cost for the damage you inflicted on another car. However, the coverage has limits. Exceeding means you will have to take from your pocket to cover the repair costs entirely.
Who Will Pay If The Damage to My Car Is Entirely Another Driver's Fault?
In this case, then it's their insurance company who will be paying for the damage repair costs to your car.
When Is It Worth Making Claims To Cover The Cost of Repairing Cosmetic Damage To My Car?
The rule of thumb here is to compare the repair cost to your deductible. Sounds easy? The choice can be made more accessible if you have a dependable auto body repair shop that can work with your insurance company and offer reasonable and effective alternatives.
If the cost of repairing your car dent is equal to or much less than your deductible, then paying for the damage out of your pocket is a smarter choice. There are affordable dent repair options, such as paintless dent repair, which costs much less than traditional dent repair methods that you should look into. However, if the damage is substantially more significant than your deductibles, filing for your insurance claim makes more sense.
Takeaways: It Pays To Be Informed To Make Prudent Insurance Decisions
Insurance premiums and deductibles are getting expensive. Many of us would rather drive around with our door dings and dents, even if it didn't look fabulous. However, being aware of the inclusions in available insurance premiums in the market, as well as new affordable dent repair techniques, will help us make prudent decisions on whether to file insurance claims or not. Moreover, being aware of these factors and shopping around for insurance packages will help us select an ideal one that suits our specific needs.