When Will Insurance Pay for Auto Body Repairs?

Have you ever been in a car accident? If so, then you know how frustrating it can be to get your car repaired and back to normal. Many people are unsure of when their insurance will pay for auto body repairs. 

There are three main types of coverage that can apply to auto body repairs: collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and bodily injury liability coverage. Let’s take a look at each one.

Collision Coverage

Collision coverage is one of the most common types of coverage found on auto insurance policies. If you have collision coverage, your insurer will typically pay for damages to your vehicle resulting from a collision with another car or object. However, it’s important to note that most collision coverage has a deductible – meaning you will have to pay a certain amount out-of-pocket before your coverage kicks in. For example, if you have a $500 deductible and your car sustains $1,500 in damage in a collision, your insurer will only pay $1,000 (minus your deductible) towards the repairs.

Comprehensive Coverage

Comprehensive coverage is another common type of auto insurance coverage. Unlike collision coverage, which only pays for damages caused by collisions, comprehensive coverage will pay for damages caused by a variety of events – such as theft, vandalism, or weather damage. Like collision coverage, comprehensive coverage also typically has a deductible. However, the deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage are usually separate – meaning you could potentially have two different deductibles to pay if your car is damaged in a collision and then stolen shortly thereafter.

Liability Coverage

Liability coverage is the third type of coverage we’ll discuss. Unlike collision and comprehensive coverage, liability coverage does not pay for any damages to your own vehicle. Instead, it pays for damages caused by your car to other people or property. For example, if you cause a car accident that damages another person’s car, your liability coverage would pay for the repairs (up to your policy limit). If you cause an accident that injures another person, your liability coverage would also pay for their medical bills (up to your policy limit). Most states have minimum liability insurance requirements – meaning you are required by law to carry at least a certain amount of this coverage. However, even if you are not required to carry liability insurance, it is still a good idea to have at least some coverage in case you cause an accident.

As you can see, there are a few different types of coverage that might apply to your auto body repairs. The type of coverage you have will determine when (and if) your insurance will pay for the repairs. If you’re not sure what type of coverage you have, or if you have any other questions about your car insurance, be sure to contact your insurer and ask. They should be able to help you figure everything out.