Can I Claim on My Car Insurance If I Damage My Own Car?

Damaging your own car can be an upsetting and stressful experience. You likely rely on your vehicle to get to work, run errands and transport your family Having an accident or incident that leaves your car with scratches, dents or more serious damage can leave you wondering what to do next. One of the first questions many people have is can I make an insurance claim if I damage my own car?

The answer is, in many cases, yes. Most standard car insurance policies will cover damage you unintentionally cause to your own vehicle, with some caveats. However, the specifics depend on your coverage and situation.

In this article, we’ll walk through when and how you can file an insurance claim for harm you’ve caused to your own car. We’ll cover what types of damage and collisions are covered, how claims affect your premiums, and steps to take to get your car fixed after an accident.

When Damage to Your Own Car is Covered

The main type of car insurance that will pay for damage you’ve caused to your own vehicle is collision coverage. This optional coverage pays for repairs when your car is damaged in an accident, regardless of who was at fault.

So if you collide with another car, hit an object or flip your vehicle over, collision coverage will pay for the repairs (minus your deductible). The same is true if there are no other vehicles involved and you damage your car on your own.

For example, common single-vehicle accidents covered by collision include:

• Hitting a guardrail, curb, pole, tree or any other stationary object
• Driving into a ditch or over an embankment
• Blowing a tire and damaging your car from the impact
• Having your parked car roll away and strike another object

Your collision coverage treats these types of accidents just like a multi-vehicle collision. If you have the coverage and file a claim your insurer will pay to fix any damage to your car, minus your deductible.

In some cases, comprehensive coverage can also pay for damage you cause to your own vehicle. If your actions directly lead to other types of covered comprehensive losses, like vandalism, fire, theft or an animal collision, your insurer will pay for repairs.

For instance, comprehensive would apply if you cause a fire in your vehicle, like if you drop a lit cigarette and your car burns. Or, your car is stolen because you accidentally left the keys inside. As long as you have the coverage, these types of damage caused indirectly by you can still result in covered claims.

When Damage You Cause is Not Covered

In other situations, your auto insurer may deny a collision or comprehensive claim for harm you’ve caused to your own vehicle. Common reasons include:

• You don’t have the right coverages – If you only have liability insurance, damage to your own car is not covered. You need to have purchased collision and/or comprehensive to get payments for harm you cause to your own vehicle.

• The damage was intentional – Insurance does not cover damage you purposefully cause. If your insurer finds evidence you damaged your car on purpose, they can deny the claim.

• You were using the car illegally – Damage that occurs while you are driving recklessly or under the influence is not covered.

• It was wear and tear damage – Collision and comprehensive only cover sudden, accidental damage. Wear and tear over time is not covered.

• Fraud is suspected – If your insurer believes you staged an accident or were untruthful in your claim, they can deny paying for the damage.

Always read your policy to see the exclusions and limitations on collision, comprehensive and other coverages. And if your claim gets denied, ask your insurance company to explain the reason in writing.

How a Claim Affects Your Car Insurance Rates

One concern many drivers have is filing an insurance claim for damaging their own car will increase their rates. This is a valid worry. Most insurers do consider at-fault accidents as a sign you are a higher risk driver. After a claim, they may raise your premiums to compensate at renewal time.

However, there are a few cases where rates stay the same after an at-fault claim:

• You have accident forgiveness – Some insurers offer accident forgiveness to loyal customers with clean driving records. This means they overlook your first at-fault accident without raising rates.

• It was a small claim – Minor accidents may not impact your premiums. Insurers set claim thresholds where small fender benders don’t count against you.

• You have a disappearing deductible – With this benefit, your deductible drops each year you don’t have an accident. After several claim-free years, a minor claim may be forgiven.

Check with your insurer about any accident forgiveness or claim-free perks that can help avoid a rate increase after a single small at-fault claim.

Steps to Take After Damaging Your Own Vehicle

If you damage your own car, follow these steps to make the claims process as smooth as possible:

• Report the accident – Alert the police if damage exceeds a certain dollar amount, which varies by state. Get a copy of the police report.

• Document the damage – Take photos and videos of your car and the accident scene from all angles. Get written estimates from repair shops too.

• Call your insurer – Notify them of the loss right away. Provide details on what happened and the extent of damage.

• Take your car to an approved shop – Have it repaired at a shop in your insurer’s network once approved. Leave your car there until the repairs are complete.

• Pay your deductible – This is your portion of repair costs due to the shop upfront before they’ll release the vehicle back to you.

• Follow up on repairs – Your insurer will manage the claim from here, but follow up to ensure you’re satisfied with the service.

Key Takeaways

Damaging your own vehicle can be upsetting, but in many standard insurance policies collision and comprehensive coverage will pay for repairs. Take the right steps if you harm your own car and you can get your vehicle back on the road.

Just keep in mind that claims for at-fault accidents often lead to increased premiums down the line. Be a safe driver to keep costs low. And ask about any accident forgiveness or claim-free discounts your insurer offers to offset rate hikes after a single minor claim.