Car insurance can pay for certain repairs when the damage results from a covered event—but it normally does not function like a maintenance plan or standard repair warranty.
Collision coverage may pay for covered accident damage to your vehicle. Comprehensive coverage generally applies to covered non-collision losses such as theft, vandalism, hail, flooding, fire or falling objects. Ordinary mechanical breakdowns and normal wear are generally not covered by standard collision coverage.
A damaged radiator from a covered collision is very different from a radiator that fails from age or corrosion. The same part may be repairable at an auto shop, but insurance coverage depends on the cause of loss and the terms of your policy.
Repairs tied to a covered loss may qualify for insurance payment.
| Repair Situation | Coverage That May Apply | Typical Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Collision with another vehicle or object | Collision coverage or another at-fault driver's liability coverage | May cover covered vehicle damage subject to policy terms and deductibles. |
| Hail or storm damage | Comprehensive | Generally covered when comprehensive coverage applies. |
| Vandalism or theft-related damage | Comprehensive | Generally handled as an other-than-collision loss. |
| Falling tree or object | Comprehensive | May cover resulting vehicle damage. |
| Ordinary mechanical failure | Usually not standard collision/comprehensive | May require mechanical-breakdown coverage, warranty protection or out-of-pocket payment. |
| Routine maintenance / wear | Generally not standard auto insurance | Owner normally pays for maintenance and wear items. |
Collision insurance is designed for collision-related vehicle damage—not ordinary mechanical wear.
If your policy includes collision coverage, it can pay to repair covered damage to your own vehicle after a collision with another vehicle or object, subject to the policy and deductible. Maryland's Insurance Administration describes collision as optional physical-damage coverage that can pay to repair your vehicle or pay its pre-loss value if it is a total loss.
If an accident damages the bumper, suspension, wheel and other components, collision coverage may apply. If the suspension simply wears out after years of driving, that is a different type of repair and ordinarily is not covered by collision insurance.
Comprehensive insurance covers many types of damage that are not caused by a collision.
Depending on the policy, comprehensive coverage generally protects against covered losses such as theft, vandalism, hail, flooding, fire and falling objects. It normally carries a deductible.
- Storm and hail damage
- Flood-related vehicle damage
- Vehicle theft or theft-related damage
- Vandalism
- Fire
- Falling trees or other objects
- Certain animal-related losses
The word comprehensive can sound broader than it is. It refers to specified types of physical-damage losses—not routine maintenance or every mechanical problem a vehicle develops.
Maintenance and ordinary wear remain the vehicle owner's responsibility in most standard policies.
Oil changes and scheduled service
Routine maintenance is generally not an auto-insurance claim.
Parts that wear through normal use
Normal wear is generally excluded from standard collision coverage.
Engine or component breakdown
A mechanical failure that occurs without a covered event generally requires another form of protection or out-of-pocket repair.
Damage related to lack of upkeep
Standard insurance should not be treated as protection against the consequences of skipped maintenance.
Some drivers can purchase separate protection for certain mechanical failures.
The Maryland Insurance Administration identifies mechanical breakdown coverage as an optional type of protection that can pay to repair a vehicle after a mechanical breakdown, such as an engine failure. Availability, eligibility, exclusions, deductibles and covered components vary by insurer and policy.
This is different from ordinary collision and comprehensive coverage. It can also differ from a manufacturer's warranty, extended service contract or dealer-sold protection plan, so compare the actual contract terms rather than assuming the products are interchangeable.
Four questions to answer before assuming insurance will pay.
What actually damaged the vehicle?
Coverage starts with the cause of the loss—not simply the name or price of the broken part.
Which protection is on your policy?
Liability, collision, comprehensive and optional mechanical-breakdown coverage serve different purposes.
How much must you pay?
Collision and comprehensive claims commonly involve a deductible shown in the policy.
Has the insurer reviewed the claim?
Contact the insurer before assuming a repair will be reimbursed. Claim procedures and documentation requirements vary.
Whether insurance is involved or not, the first step is understanding what the vehicle actually needs.
Joe's Auto Repair can inspect and diagnose mechanical concerns for Silver Spring drivers and explain the repairs required. Insurance coverage is determined by your insurer and policy, but an accurate diagnosis and repair assessment can help you understand the vehicle side of the problem.
Not sure what repair your vehicle actually needs?
Joe's Auto Repair serves drivers from 101 University Blvd W in Silver Spring, MD 20901 near Four Corners. Our team can diagnose mechanical problems and explain the repairs. For questions about whether a particular loss is covered, confirm directly with your insurance company or insurance professional.
Schedule Vehicle Diagnostics →Car repair and insurance questions.
Sometimes. Repairs resulting from a covered collision or comprehensive loss may be covered. Routine maintenance, normal wear and ordinary mechanical breakdowns generally are not covered by standard auto insurance.
It depends on why the engine was damaged. Damage resulting from a covered event may qualify, while an engine that fails from ordinary mechanical breakdown or wear generally is not covered by standard collision insurance. Optional mechanical-breakdown coverage may apply in some policies.
An ordinary transmission failure caused by wear or mechanical breakdown is generally not what standard collision or comprehensive coverage is designed to cover. Coverage may differ if the transmission was damaged by a covered event or if separate mechanical-breakdown protection applies.
Standard auto insurance generally does not pay for normal wear and tear or routine maintenance.
Collision coverage can pay for covered damage to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another vehicle or object, subject to the policy's deductible and terms.
Comprehensive coverage generally covers specified non-collision losses such as theft, vandalism, hail, flood, fire and falling objects, subject to policy terms and deductibles.
Mechanical breakdown coverage is optional protection offered by some insurers for certain vehicle mechanical failures. Covered components, exclusions, eligibility and deductibles vary.
Your insurer determines coverage under the terms of your policy and the facts of the claim. A repair shop can diagnose the vehicle and document needed repairs but should not promise that an insurer will pay a claim.