Does my car insurance cover flat tires?

Depending on the type and size of tires that your vehicle has, each tire may easily cost between $100 to $1,000 or more.

Whether you have one or more flat tires right now, the thought of filing an insurance claim and getting existing coverage to pay for this expense may have crossed your mind.

There are instances when insurance benefits may assist you with your flat tire issue, but you need to understand the options and results fully before you decide how to proceed.

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Reviewing Your Current Insurance Policy

There are two primary car insurance benefits that may be used to assist you with a flat tire issue, and these are roadside assistance benefits and collision or comprehensive insurance benefits.

These coverage options work in different ways and should be used for specific circumstances.

Because these are usually optional coverages that you can add to your policy rather than basic or standard coverage, take the time to review your existing coverage today to learn more about your current policy.

Roadside Assistance Benefits

If you have a flat tire, roadside assistance benefits may be used to provide you with professional help changing the tire regardless of the time of day or where you are located.

This service will not pay to replace the tire, and you will need to have a spare tire handy in order to use this service. After your spare tire has been installed, you can drive to a tire shop to purchase a permanent or full-size tire to use as a replacement.

There is not typically a fee associated with using this service but review your policy details carefully before requesting assistance to understand how your specific benefits work.

Vehicle Repairs Related to an Accident or Other Event

In some cases, tires may be damaged because of a car accident or another type of damaging event.

If this is the case, your collision or comprehensive insurance policy may pay for a new replacement tire as well as labor fees for installation and disposal fees for your old tires.

If you did not add towing service to your insurance coverage, you may have to pay money out-of-pocket for towing services. You also will have to pay your insurance deductible if you file a claim.

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Determining If You Should File a Car Insurance Claim

If you are thinking about filing a claim on your car insurance policy, it is important to weigh the pros and cons associated with doing so.

1. First, analyze the estimated cost to repair your vehicle. Getting professional estimates from reputable automotive service centers is a smart idea.
2. Second, review your established insurance deductible. If your deductible amount is close to or higher than your repair costs, it may be better to pay the full amount of the tire repair or replacement expenses out-of-pocket.
3. Finally, think about the potential for your insurance rates to increase after you file a claim.

Insurance rates may increase when you file even a single claim, and they may also increase if you have had changes to your insured drivers, your driving history, where you live, your credit rating, and more.

If you believe that your insurance rates may increase if you file a claim and want to avoid this, consider paying for your vehicle repairs on your own without filing a claim.

Understanding Other Sources for Roadside Assistance Benefits

Your insurance policy is not the only source that you can turn to for roadside assistance benefits.

If you are dealing with a straightforward issue related to a flat tire, you may look for roadside assistance benefits offered through your credit card companies or the dealership where you purchased your vehicle.

Some people have these benefits and are not aware of them, so it can pay off to do some research about your options before you act on your flat tire issue.

Deciding to Update Your Auto Insurance Coverage

Your recent issue with one or more flat tires may have opened your eyes to the benefits of having a more robust car insurance policy. You may be thinking about upgrading to a collision or comprehensive policy, adding roadside assistance benefits, or both.

To determine how much coverage you need, review your state’s and lender’s insurance requirements as a starting point.

In addition to these minimum amounts of coverage you need, you may opt for additional coverage. Seeking advice from a reputable insurance agent can help you to better determine how much coverage you need.

Keep in mind that your own vehicle repair benefits from an insurance claim will not need to exceed your vehicle’s replacement value.

Regardless of how high you establish your coverage, your insurance company will not pay more money to repair or replace the vehicle than it is worth.

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The Effect on Your Car Insurance Rates

Upgrading your policy can increase your premium, but there may be a few steps you can take to counter this. Some of the top ways to lower your car insurance premium include:

• Raising your insurance deductible
• Shopping for lower rates
• Upgrading to a vehicle that is more affordable to insure
• Taking a driver’s safety course
• Using car insurance discounts

Remember that you can find car insurance discounts for many different types of qualifying factors through various providers.

This includes discounts for bundling various insurance policies together through one insurer, making good grades if you are a student, maintaining a great driving history, and more.

Exploring discounts offered through top providers can help you to keep your insurance premium expense as low as possible.

Whether you have been in an accident that involved flat tires or you have been stranded on the side of the road because of a flat tire, you may want to minimize your current expenses and take steps to avoid related expenses in the future.

Reviewing your current insurance benefits today can help you to determine if you can use your insurance policy and if you need to make upgrades to your coverage to enjoy better benefits in the future.

Compare car insurance quotes today to find the best rate for the coverage you need.

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