Does car insurance cover tire damage?

Firstly, we need to look at the two main types of coverage that are relevant to car tires:liability coverage and comprehensive coverage.

1. Liability coverage: This type of coverage is intended to cover damage you cause to others in an accident where you are involved as a driver. However, it does not cover damage to your own vehicle, including the tires. For example, if you have a collision with another car and your tires are damaged, liability coverage will not help with the costs of replacing or repairing your tires.
2. Comprehensive coverage: This is where it gets interesting for car tires. Comprehensive coverage, also known as full coverage, usually covers damage to your vehicle that is not the result of a collision. This often includes things like theft, fire, vandalism, and yes, damage to your tires in certain situations.

Let's look at some examples:

• Vandalism: If your car is targeted by vandalism and your tires are punctured or damaged, comprehensive coverage can help with replacing those tires.
• Theft: If your vehicle's tires are stolen, comprehensive coverage can intervene to cover the costs of new tires.
• Natural disasters: Some natural disasters such as floods, landslides, or falling objects can cause damage to your tires. Comprehensive coverage may apply in these cases.

But there are also situations where car tires are not covered under your auto insurance,even with comprehensive coverage:

• Normal wear and tear: Tires wear out over time due to normal use and are usually not covered under your auto insurance.
• Minor damage: Minor damage to your tires, such as dents, cracks, or light scratches, is usually not covered because they are considered part of normal wear and tear.
• Tire damage from potholes: In most cases, a standard auto insurance policy does not cover damage to your tires caused by potholes in the road. This is considered a risk associated with driving and usually falls under your own responsibility as a driver.

It is important to read your policy carefully and understand what is and isn't covered regarding your car tires. If in doubt, contact your insurance company for clarification.