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Laura Berry

Former Insurance Agent

Former Insurance Agent

Joshua Adamson

Joshua is a copywriter at Obrella who for more than 10 years has been creating content about insurance, health care, and more. He helps companies explain complex insurance subjects in simple ways so that customers can make smart buying decisions. He spends way too much time binge-watching Netflix, loves the outdoors and has a cat who tolerates him.

UPDATED: Jul 19, 2021

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Does Car Insurance Cover Flat Tires?

Running over a sharp object on the road, whether you can see it or not, can cause a flat tire. If you're in a construction zone, this risk could be expected. It can happen anywhere, though. Then you're left with the hassle of either changing the tire or towing the vehicle to the nearest mechanic to have them replace it. In addition to the time spent, you also must spend money to get the tire fixed, and your insurance company does not reimburse you. Car insurance rarely covers flat tires.

How Does Basic Car Insurance Affect Flat Tire Claims?

Basic car insurance covers liability only. In other words, it covers the damage you do to another car if you’re at fault-in an accident. If you run a red light and hit another car, your car insurance covers that. If you rear end another driver on the road and flatten their tire in the process, your insurance company would cover that. Liability does not cover your car, though.

If you have collision and comprehensive insurance, it will cover your tire if it goes flat due to an accident. So let’s say you were driving along and another driver hit you making a U-turn popping your front tire. Your collision coverage would cover that. If you got in an accident because one of your axles broke and you lost a wheel, your comprehensive coverage would also cover that. These are very unusual situations, though. In the latter case, insurance companies might also check to make sure it wasn’t caused by negligence in the maintenance of your car.

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Can Roadside Assistance Help You with Flat Tires?

One caveat to receiving assistance for a flat tire from your car insurance company is if you have roadside assistance as part of your coverage. Having this coverage may involve either an additional monthly fee or it could be included in your insurance plan.

While roadside assistance does not pay for your tire replacement, the insurance company does provide towing services to bring your car to the nearest mechanic. This service comes at either no charge or a minor fee if the repair shop is farther than a certain distance, usually five or 10 miles, which can save you money.

Roadside assistance may also help you change your tire, if you have a spare, so you can get back on the road quicker. If they bring a new tire to you, you would still be charged for the tire.

Running over a sharp object on the road, whether you can see it or not, can cause a flat tire.

Which Insurance Policy Is Right for Your Needs?

Having a flat tire that results from or in an accident is likely the only situation in which your insurance company will get involved with any type of flat tire incident. This might occur if you run over something in the road that punctures your tire but then hit another car while trying to maintain control of your car.

If you’re unsure about what your car insurance premium covers while shopping around, let us help you figure out what protection you need.

You can get insurance quotes in minutes by answering a few questions on online calculators. You can also speak with an Obrella agent to help you determine if you’ll need to purchase extra protection for your everyday driving needs. Tires are one of the most important safety parts on our cars, and they are classified with routine maintenance. So your insurance company doesn’t generally cover it.

With the right plan, you can feel safe on the road wherever you are. Each insurance provider has their own algorithm and pricing. They look at the same information in different ways. Obrella agents provide quotes to let you decide on an auto insurance company that meets your needs.

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