If you have comprehensive and collision coverage, your car insurance
policy should cover the cost of replacing slashed tires. Whether slashed tires are the result of vandalism or driving over tire spikes or debris, they require an immediate fix—and can be costly.
If you don’t have the right insurance coverage, your claim could be denied, leaving you responsible for the full cost of the damage.
Here’s what you need to know about slashed tires insurance, with a little help from licensed broker
and top-rated app, Jerry
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Will insurance cover slashed tires?
Your car insurance might pay for damage from slashed tires, but it depends on your policy and coverage. For your insurance company to approve your claim, you’ll need to have comprehensive and/or collision insurance.
If you only have basic liability insurance, you won’t be able to file a claim for something like slashed tires (or any other damage to your vehicle, in fact).
Basic insurance
Basic insurance is typically the minimum coverage that states require. It usually only includes liability coverage.
Liability car insurance
provides protection to other drivers on the road when you’re at fault in an accident. So if you hit another person’s vehicle or property, your liability coverage will help cover the cost of any medical bills and/or property damage.Full-coverage insurance
To cover damage to your own vehicle, you’ll need full-coverage insurance
that includes comprehensive and collision insurance. Comprehensive insurance
looks after any damage that isn’t related to a driving incident—things like car theft
, vandalism, and weather-related damage. If someone intentionally slashes your tires, this would fall under comprehensive coverage.Collision insurance
pays for damage that is related to a collision, either with another vehicle or with a stationary object. If your tires are damaged by road spikes, collision insurance would come into play.
So, does full coverage car insurance cover slashed tires? Usually, but you need to have the right package.
You can use Jerry
to help you find affordable full-coverage insurance that will protect you against damage like slashed tires. Simply download the app and answer a few easy questions. In less than a minute, you’ll be presented with three competitive quotes. Choose the one you like best and let Jerry handle all the hard work!
Key Takeaway Basic insurance won’t cover damage to your own vehicle. If you have slashed tires, you’ll need comprehensive and/or collision insurance on your policy.
How to file a claim for slashed tires
If you find that your tires got slashed, it’s best to file a claim sooner rather than later. If you wait too long, your insurance company could deny your claim.
If the slashing was the result of vandalism or another crime, you’ll need to file a police report before you contact your insurer, as they will want a copy.
It’s important to consider whether it’s worth filing a claim. If you file a claim, you’ll need to pay your deductible and your insurance premium may rise. If you don’t, you’ll be responsible for the costs and you’ll have no recourse if you later find more damage.
To determine whether you want to file a claim, look at the cost of replacement tires versus the cost of your deductible. If the replacement costs are less than your deductible, it may be better to cover the damage yourself rather than going through insurance.
Key Takeaway If your replacement costs are higher than your deductible, you may want to file a claim. Contact your insurance company as soon as possible to begin the process.
MORE: How to file a car insurance claim
FAQs
Someone slashed my tires, what can I do?
The first thing to do if you know someone has slashed your tires is to file a police report. If you witnessed the act, record any information about the perpetrator (from a safe distance, since they're probably using something sharp to slash the tires).
You'll then want to get your tires fixed or replaced at a repair shop and then file a claim with your insurance carrier. If you're not covered for slashed tires, unfortunately, there may be very little recourse.
What does a slashed tire look like?
Before you make a claim with your insurance provider, you'll want to make sure you have your facts straight. You can tell if your tire was slashed by examining the cuts. It's usually pretty clear if your tires were just damaged by road debris or if they were actually slashed, as slashed tires usually have much cleaner cuts that are on the sides of the tires, and damage from road debris usually happens to the bottom of the tire.
However, it is possible that the sidewall of the tire split open after some smaller damage and road wear. Police officers and mechanics will be able to give a more informed examination for you.
How to find cheap car insurance
You never know when something unexpected (like slashed tires) could happen. That’s why it’s always important to ensure you have coverage that meets your needs.
Using Jerry
can help you find full-coverage insurance at the best price. As a licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding the cheapest quotes from name-brand insurance companies to finalizing your new car insurance
. Jerry will even cancel your old policy for you. And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will remind you to shop for car insurance every 6 months by sending you new quotes when your policy comes up for renewal.
"Not only were we able to find another reputable company that would provide the same exact coverage for an annual savings of over $2000, but they made the switching process incredibly easy! — Satisfied Jerry User
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