Does auto insurance cover tire theft?

When you find out that your tires have been stolen, your initial thought might be to file a claim with your auto insurance company. But are stolen tires covered by insurance?

Your tires might not be covered. Much of the decision will depend on where the tires were stolen and whether you have the right type of auto insurance coverage in place. It’s important to know what coverage you should have on your policy so it’s possible to file a claim. So does auto insurance cover stolen tires? Read this article to find out more.

Compare car insurance quotes by entering your ZIP code into our free rate tool to ensure you have the coverage you need if your tires are stolen.

Tires and Auto Insurance Coverage

If you’re wondering what to do when your tires are stolen, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn more about tire insurance companies, what kind of coverage applies if your tires are stolen, if it’s worth filing a claim to replace your stolen tires, and more.

What type of insurance covers tire theft?

There are different forms of auto insurance. And if you’re wondering if you have to have car insurance in every state, the answer is typically yes. Auto insurance laws typically require you to have a policy and every state determines the minimum level of coverage.

For a quick look at the minimum coverage required in each state, check out this table, populated with data from the Insurance Information Institute.

The abbreviations listed in the table are defined below.

This requirement typically includes bodily injury as well as personal injury liability protection. If you cause an accident, your liability coverage will cover the other party’s damage, but not your own. And it does not cover damages that are not the result of an an accident.

Tire theft isn’t accident-related. Instead, it’s identified as a non-driving related incident, which is typically covered by comprehensive insurance. Watch this video to learn more about comprehensive coverage.

Most states don’t require you to have comprehensive insurance. Lienholders might, however. If you are leasing or paying on a car loan, then the lienholder might dictate additional coverage that is required of you.

This extra coverage is designed to protect their investment and ensure there is enough money to repair the vehicle.

You have the option of adding comprehensive coverage to your policy. You also determine how much coverage to include. Insurance will only pay up to the limit you have in place on your policy.

If you have a $15,000 claim and you only have $10,000 worth of comprehensive coverage, the insurance company will only pay up to $10,000. The remaining $5,000 (plus your deductible) would be your financial responsibility.

Often, increasing coverage levels by $10,000 or more will only increase premiums marginally. Many choose to increase the coverage so there is a greater level of protection in place.

So how much might you pay for comprehensive coverage? Take a look at this table, populated with rate data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) to find out.

These numbers are a baseline to give you an idea of average rates in your state, but what you pay may vary based on a number of factors like your driving record, credit history, and where in the state you live.

 

What determines if insurance will accept the claim?

When you file a claim with the insurance company, you need to provide a lot of details, including:

• When the theft took place
• Where the tire theft happened
• What tires were on the car

If an insurance company accepts the claim, they will provide a tire replacement based on the value of standard tires for the make and model of your car.

If you have special performance tires, they’re probably not going to be covered.

Insurance companies will look at where the accident happened, too. If it happened in your driveway, for example, the insurance company might deny the claim. You might have to run the claim through your home insurance company instead.

In the end, you have to prove that the tires were stolen (not lost or given away). You’ll need to have comprehensive coverage, and it’s also best to have a police report in hand when you call to file a claim.

Is it worth filing a claim for tire theft?

The next step in what to do when wheels are stolen is deciding whether to file a claim. You have to take a look at the cost of replacing tires. If the tires have been stolen, you need to replace them if you want to drive your car.

Some tires are more expensive than others. The price will depend on factors like:

• Tire size
• Brand
• Quantity
• Available discounts

Once you know the cost of the tires, you can then determine whether it’s best to pay out-of-pocket for them or pay the deductible. If insurance will cover the replacement after tire theft, you are still responsible for the deductible.

In most instances, the deductible is $500 or $1,000. Depending on the cost of the tires versus your deductible, it might be more cost-effective for you to pay for the tires yourself, rather than going through your insurance company.

In the end, auto insurance will cover tire theft in most instances if you have comprehensive coverage in place. It’s up to you to see if it’s worth paying the deductible, however.

You should get quotes with comprehensive coverage added to the minimum liability insurance your state requires. It’s often not much more per month to add the coverage (average is an additional $13.40 per month) and you will be protected against more scenarios.

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The Bottom Line for Auto Insurance and Stolen Tires

As you consider what to do if your tires are stolen, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• Tire theft is often covered with comprehensive coverage
• Where the tires are stolen will sometimes effect whether insurance covers the tires
• The cost of a deductible might not be worth it based on the value of the tires

If you don’t already have comprehensive coverage, it’s a good idea to add it to your policy, regardless of whether you plan to file a claim if your tires are stolen. Shop rates today using our free tool.

Frequently Asked Questions: Auto Insurance Coverage for Tire Theft

Still have questions about what to do if your tires are stolen? Read these frequently asked questions to learn more.

Is tire insurance worth it?

You can specifically purchase tire insurance, in addition to the comprehensive coverage we’ve already discussed. Companies like Allstate sell it, as do tire manufacturers, often as a part of the warranty on the tires. There are also a few tire insurance agencies that specialize in tire insurance as a part of vehicle maintenance coverage.

However, car tire insurance typically covers damage to tires as the result of road hazards, not necessarily replacement if the tires were stolen. So is tire insurance worth it? Only you can decide.

What do I do if my rims were stolen?

Like we discussed earlier, if you have comprehensive coverage, your rims may be covered by your insurance policy. However, if your tire, rims, or your spare wheel are stolen, you’ll need to decide if it makes financial sense to file a claim or just pay for the replacement out-of-pocket.

Enter your ZIP code to start comparing auto insurance quotes today so you’re covered if your tires are stolen.