Does my car insurance cover damage to my own car if I am at fault in an accident?
Wondering whether your car insurance will cover damage to your car if you're at fault in an accident? Collision insurance covers damage to your car when you are at fault. This coverage costs around $29 per month on average, but your premium depends on several factors. Learn more to make sure you're covered in an at-fault accident.
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Angie Watts
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Angie Watts is a licensed real estate agent with Florida Executive Realty. Specializing in residential properties since 2015, Angie is a real estate writer who published a book educating homeowners on how to make the most money when they sell their homes. Her goal is to educate and empower both home buyers and sellers so they can have a stress-free shopping and/or selling process. She has studi...
Licensed Real Estate Agent
UPDATED: Feb 10, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.
UPDATED: Feb 10, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
Subhead:
- You’ll need collision insurance to cover your vehicle if you’re at fault in an accident
- Liability insurance does not cover damage to your car if you’re at fault
- Certain types of self-inflicted damage aren’t covered, such as damage caused while breaking the law
No matter how carefully you drive, accidents are sometimes unavoidable, and you may sometimes be at fault. Car collisions are frequent in the U.S., with over 5 million each year. So, it’s important to know if your car insurance covers damage to your car if you’re at fault in an accident.
Does car insurance cover damage to your car if you are at fault in an accident? Whether or not your policy pays for damages to your car when you’re the driver at fault depends on whether or not you have collision coverage. Read on to learn more about how this type of car insurance coverage works.
Car Insurance Coverage if You’re At Fault in an Accident
If you have an accident, the type of coverage you need for your vehicle depends on who’s at fault. When you’re at fault, your liability coverage applies to any damages and injuries you cause to other drivers, along with their cars and passengers.
However, this won’t help you pay for repairs to your car. For that, you need collision coverage. Collision insurance pays for any repairs to your vehicle when you cause an accident. It typically includes a deductible, the amount you must pay out of pocket before your coverage kicks in.
So, for example, if you have a $500 deductible and $2,500 worth of repairs, your insurance company will pay $2,000 for damages.
If your car is damaged beyond repair, collision insurance will pay for those damages, too. Your insurance company will reimburse you for the car’s actual cash value minus your deductible. However, this won’t be enough to pay for a comparable vehicle in many cases.
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Collision Coverage Car Insurance for At Fault Accidents
Since collision insurance is additional coverage for your insurance policy, it will add to your monthly premium. The average rate for this type of insurance from the best collision coverage car insurance companies is $29 per month.
However, collision insurance rates can also change based on your age, driving record, and coverage limits. In addition, the size of car insurance deductible you choose will also affect your monthly cost — a smaller deductible will result in a higher premium, and vice versa.
Together with comprehensive and collision insurance is part of what’s commonly called full coverage car insurance.
Read more: Collision vs. Comprehensive Coverage: An Expert Guide
When Collision Coverage Might Not Help in an Accident
In some cases, you can be denied a claim even if you have collision coverage. For example:
- If you damage your car intentionally
- If you broke the law
- If your policy doesn’t cover the damage
It’s important to understand your coverage and any possible exclusions before you ever have an accident. Always review your policy details carefully to ensure you have the necessary coverage.
Case Studies: Car Insurance Coverage for At-Fault Accidents
Case Study 1: No Collision Coverage
John was involved in an accident where he was at fault. Unfortunately, he did not have collision coverage as part of his car insurance policy. As a result, he had to bear the full cost of repairs to his own car, which amounted to a significant financial burden.
Case Study 2: Utilizing Collision Coverage
Amy caused an accident and damaged her own car. Fortunately, she had collision coverage included in her car insurance policy. She filed a claim with her insurance company and only had to pay the deductible amount. The insurance company covered the rest of the repair costs.
Case Study 3: Total Loss with Collision Coverage
Mike’s car was severely damaged in an at-fault accident, to the point where it was deemed a total loss, (read our “What should I do if my vehicle is deemed a total loss?” for more information). However, he had collision coverage, which meant that his insurance company reimbursed him for the actual cash value of his car, minus the deductible. While it wasn’t enough to purchase a comparable vehicle, it provided him with some financial assistance.
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Collision Car Insurance Protects When You’re At Fault in an Accident
Car accidents are common, and considering how unpredictable things can get on the road, even responsible drivers may find themselves at fault.
Collision coverage insurance can protect you against vehicle damage even if you are at fault. Getting collision insurance, in addition to liability insurance, can help bring you peace of mind while out on the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is my liability insurance enough to cover damage to my car if I am at fault in a collision?
No. Your liability insurance only covers damage to the other driver’s car or body when you’re at fault. So damage to your car will be your responsibility unless you have collision coverage.
Does collision coverage pay for damages to my car for non-collision cases, such as storms?
No, it does not. However, you would need comprehensive care insurance coverage for non-collision events.
Is it worth it to get collision insurance?
Yes, collision insurance is worth getting in most cases. The only exception is for older vehicles that don’t have much value. Also, if you have a lien against your car, your lender will likely require collision and comprehensive coverage.
Are you looking for free insurance quotes?
Your one-stop online insurance guide. Get free quotes now!
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Angie Watts
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Angie Watts is a licensed real estate agent with Florida Executive Realty. Specializing in residential properties since 2015, Angie is a real estate writer who published a book educating homeowners on how to make the most money when they sell their homes. Her goal is to educate and empower both home buyers and sellers so they can have a stress-free shopping and/or selling process. She has studi...
Licensed Real Estate Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by insurance experts.