Does car insurance cover repairs? All you need to know

Just been in an accident? Broken down or dealing with engine issues? Can’t find the source of a strange sound? If you’re wondering, “Does my car insurance cover repairs?”, we’re here to help.

Understanding your insurance and what it covers can feel confusing, but we’ve got all you need to know to get you back on the road with confidence.

Can I claim for repairs on car insurance?

Whether you can claim for repairs on your car insurance depends on several factors, including your circumstances, what type of insurance you have, what’s covered, what needs to be repaired, and why it needs repairing.

If, for example, you reversed your car into an unsuspecting pole, a comprehensive car insurance policy would usually cover the costs for repair. If you only had third-party insurance, however, you’d likely have to cover these costs yourself.

If your vehicle is showing signs of old age, like its battery failing or wearing out your clutch, that would likely fall under wear and tear, which isn’t typically covered with most insurance policies.

The best thing to do is check your policy details.

What repairs does car insurance cover?

Again, what repairs your insurance covers will depend on the type of policy you have in place. Let’s take a look at the three primary options — comprehensive; third-party, fire and theft; and third-party — as well as a couple of add-ons.

• Comprehensive coverage: Comprehensive insurance pays out if you damage your car, someone else’s car, or injure someone in an accident. It should cover most repairs to your vehicle, from accidental scrapes to more serious problems.
• Third-party, fire and theft: Third-party, fire and theft covers other people’s property in the event of an accident, and your own vehicle if it is damaged by fire or stolen. In this case, any repairs required to your vehicle that aren’t caused by a fire will need to be covered by you, unless someone else is at fault. If someone else is responsible for damage to your car, their insurance should usually cover the costs.
• Third-party coverage: Third-party insurance is mandatory by law, and only covers you for damage you cause to others' vehicles or property in an accident. It won't cover your own vehicle and it won’t usually cover repairs that you are responsible for.

There are a few add-ons you can include to give you greater protection:

• Collision coverage: Covers your vehicle if it's damaged in a collision with another vehicle or object. It usually pays out regardless of who is responsible for the accident, and typically covers pothole damage, too.
• Uninsured (or underinsured) motorist coverage: Protects you if another at-fault driver doesn't have insurance (even though it's a legal requirement), isn’t identified, or doesn't have enough to cover your vehicle repairs. If, for example, you're involved in a hit and run, uninsured motorist coverage could help pay for the repairs your vehicle needs.

Common car insurance repair exclusions

There are some cases where you won't be covered for repairs, so it’s worth checking your policy documents to make sure. Here are the most common exclusions to be aware of:

• Everyday wear and tear: General wear and tear from everyday driving is not covered, like worn-out brake pads.
• Mechanical failures: Breakdowns due to mechanical failure (usually because of your car's age or lack of maintenance) typically aren't covered.
• Modifications and customisations: Unapproved modifications or customisations may void your insurance or exclude coverage for certain claims.
• Using your car for unauthorised or illegal purposes: If you're using your car for something not covered by your policy (like racing or dangerous driving), you probably won’t be covered if you need repairs.

But what do these exclusions look like in real-life situations? Here are some examples:

• Gearbox failure: Usually, your insurance won’t cover gearbox failure – it’s generally classed as wear and tear. But if your gearbox failure is due to damage caused by an accident, it may be covered.
• Engine failure: If the cause of the engine failure is old age and general wear and tear, it probably won’t be covered by a standard insurance policy. But engine failure due to an accident, fire, vandalism, or bad weather, for example, could be covered, depending on your insurance coverage.
• Breakdown repairs: Some policies can include breakdown cover as an add-on, or you can get breakdown cover separately with a different provider. Breakdown cover will only pay for the work done at the scene of your breakdown – and the cost of transportation (for you and your vehicle), if needed. You can add extra cover to include the cost of parts and work done at the garage if you wish.

Does car insurance cover mechanical problems?

No, more often than not, standard vehicle insurance won’t include mechanical breakdown insurance – since any non-accident damage is usually caused by everyday wear and tear. But there are exceptions:

• Mechanical issues caused by an accident: If an accident causes a fault in your engine, like a crash or a pothole, it might be included if you have collision coverage.
• Non-accident coverage add-ons: Some policies offer additional coverage for certain mechanical breakdown insurance policies.

How much will your car insurance provider pay for repairs?

How much your insurance will pay out depends on your coverage and your policy details. There are a few things to bear in mind that can influence whether you're covered and how much you’re entitled to:

• Your excess: This is the amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. A higher excess generally means a lower premium. For some smaller claims and minor repairs, your excess amount might be more than the cost of the repairs, so it’s better to pay for it yourself. For more costly work, it’s worth checking your policy to make sure you’re covered, then have a chat with your provider to see whether it’s worth claiming or paying out of pocket.
• The age of your car: This can affect how much your insurer will cover. If it's older, car repairs might exceed its value, so it might be better to write it off.
• Depreciation: Your car's market value goes down over time. This means your insurer might only cover its current value, not the original purchase price, for repairs.
• How well you look after your car: Routine maintenance is vital to keep your vehicle working as it should. If your insurer can prove that you've not taken due care with your car, it may void your mechanical breakdown cover. The condition of the vehicle beforehand can impact your claim.
• Type of car insurance: Whether you have comprehensive; third-party, fire and theft; or third-party insurance in place will be a key factor.
• Basic components and add-ons: Most policies include sections on what's covered (like collision and theft) and exclusions (usually wear and tear), along with whether you qualify for a replacement vehicle.
• Cost limit: This is how much you can claim. You might find that the cost of repair is higher than your limit, in which case, you may have to cover the difference of the costs yourself.
• Policy exclusions: Some things might not be covered in your specific insurance, but they should be clearly listed in your policy documents.

How to claim for repairs on your car insurance

If you need to make a claim, here’s your step-by-step guide:

1. Review your policy: First things first, check your policy details to see exactly what you’re covered for and the claims process for your insurer – there are a few specific things to look out for, so we’ve detailed that below.
2. Contact your insurer: Get in touch with your insurance company to report the damage and start your claim. They’ll explain how much your excess will be and how much they’ll cover for any work that needs to be done.
3. Gather documentation: You may have to provide details about the incident, photos of the damage, and any police reports (if needed). It's always a good idea to get all the information your car insurance company could need: take photos, recordings, and notes as soon as possible when the accident happens, otherwise there could be a delay on your claim.
4. Choose a garage: Your insurance provider may recommend a repair shop they trust, but you might also have the freedom to choose your own mechanic, as long as they meet your insurer’s criteria.
5. Reviewing the damage: Your insurer will reach out to your chosen garage and their engineer will inspect the damage, to make sure it matches the details you provided about the accident.
6. Get your pay-out: Your insurance company will arrange for the agreed costs to be transferred to you, or pay your garage directly, depending on your coverage.

Get the full story: Guide to making a motor insurance claim

Does car insurance cover repairs? The final word

Whether you’re covered for repairs to your vehicle will depend on a number of key factors, including the type of insurance policy you have in place, the nature of the repairs, and the circumstances around your claim.

Routine maintenance and wear and tear aren’t usually covered, so if your brakes are worn from day-to-day use, you likely have to cover these costs yourself.

If you still have any car insurance-related questions, speak to the expert team at Howden. We’ll ensure you have exactly the right protection in place to suit your needs.

Also read:

• Is my car insured? How to check using askMID
• Does the wrong class of use mean you’re uninsured?
• Car insurance group checker

READ MORE OF OUR CAR INSURANCE GUIDES