If i crash my car will my insurance cover it

Crashing your car is stressful — but whether your insurance will pay for the damage depends on exactly what kind of coverage you bought. Not all policies are the same, and what they cover varies a lot.

Quick Definition

If you have collision or “full-coverage” insurance, your auto insurance can likely cover your car’s damage after a crash. But if you only have liability coverage, it only pays for damage to other people’s property, not your own car.

What Types of Insurance Cover Crash Damage

1. Liability Coverage

   • Covers injury to other people (bodily injury liability) and damage to other vehicles or property (property damage liability). 

   • Does not cover your own vehicle if you’re at fault in a crash.

   • Usually required by law.

2. Collision Coverage

   • Pays for damage to your own car when you crash into another vehicle or object (or rollover). 

   • You usually need to pay a deductible before the insurer pays. 

   • If the crash “totals” the car (repair cost > value), the payout is often the car’s current cash value minus deductible. 

3. Comprehensive Coverage

   • Covers damage to your car that isn’t from a crash: things like theft, vandalism, fire, or hitting an animal. 

   • Also generally comes with a deductible. 

4. Other Coverages That Help

   • Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medical Payments: Can cover medical bills for you and your passengers after a crash, depending on your policy.

   • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist: Helps if the person who hit you doesn’t have enough (or any) insurance. 

When Insurance Might Deny a Claim

• If you only have liability coverage and you crash your own car, liability won’t pay for your vehicle’s damage. 

• If the person driving your car during the crash was not listed on your policy or did not have permission, the claim may be denied. 

• If you picked a high deductible, you’ll have to pay a bigger chunk out of pocket.

• Insurance only pays up to the actual cash value (ACV) of your car when totaled — not what you originally paid. 

What to Do After a Crash

1. Report the Accident
   Call your insurance company as soon as possible to start the claim.

2. Get a Repair Estimate
   Have your car inspected so the insurer knows how much damage there is.

3. Pay Your Deductible
   Be ready to pay the amount you agreed on when you got your policy.

4. Work with a Preferred Repair Shop
   Using a shop approved by your insurer can make the process smoother and faster.

5. Track Medical Costs
   If you or your passengers were hurt, save bills and records for insurance – or PIP / medical payments coverage.

FAQ

Q1: I crashed my car and I only have liability insurance — will my car be fixed?
No. Liability coverage doesn’t pay for damage to your own vehicle, only to others’ property.

Q2: What if someone else crashes into my car?
Their liability insurance may pay for your car’s damage. If they don’t have enough or don’t have insurance, your uninsured/underinsured coverage may help (if you have it).

Q3: Does my insurance replace my car if it’s totaled?
If you have collision coverage, your insurer will pay out up to the car’s actual cash value minus your deductible.

Q4: Can I drive someone else’s car and have my insurance cover it if I crash?
It depends on your policy. Some policies cover “permissive use” (you driving someone else’s car with permission), but not all.

Q5: Does insurance cover injuries after a crash?
Yes — if you have PIP or medical payments coverage, it can help pay for medical bills. Otherwise, costs may come out of pocket or be covered by health insurance.

Final Summary

Yes — your insurance can cover a crash, but only if you have the right type of coverage. Liability helps others when you cause damage, but it won’t fix your car. To cover your own vehicle, you’ll likely need collision (for accident repairs) and possibly comprehensive (for non-crash damage). Make sure to check your policy, understand your deductibles, and know what happens after an accident.

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