Does auto insurance cover flat tires?

If you’ve ever had a flat tire, you know how frustrating that can be. Whether you got a flat by running over something sharp, or you simply walked outside to your car and noticed the flat tire, it’s always a hassle to get it fixed.

You may be wondering, Does insurance cover flat tires? The answer to that question depends on what happened to flatten your tire and what type of car insurance coverage you carry. For example, carrying the minimum car insurance required in your state will not assist you with a flat tire. You’ll be on your own for damage to your car if you’re at fault, and you’d have to pursue coverage through the other party’s insurance company if they were at fault.

As you search online for the best full coverage car insurance options, remember to compare quotes from multiple companies at once to get the best price for coverage.

You can use our free quote tool above to compare full coverage rates from multiple companies in your area today.

Does auto insurance cover flat tires?

If you are wondering, “Does insurance cover a nail in a tire”, the answer is no. Driving over a sharp object and getting a flat tire is typically not something that car insurance policies will cover.

But if your auto insurance covers roadside assistance, or if you have roadside assistance as a separate coverage, your roadside assistance plan will likely help to replace and cover the cost of the tire so you won’t have to.

So, while standard Geico insurance does not cover flat tires, a roadside assistance plan with Geico would certainly help to compensate you for the cost of the tire and any necessary towing or labor. Typically, it’s only a few dollars per renewal period.

In other instances, such as a car accident or vandalism, your car insurance policy may cover your flat tire. This depends on the type of coverage you have with your policy.

For instance, if you got a flat tire after a car accident, you would need collision coverage to pay for your tire repairs. Liability-only and comprehensive coverage will not help with a flat tire, in this instance.

Similarly, you would need comprehensive coverage to pay for a flat tire if it was due to vandalism or something of that nature. Collision coverage, in this case, would not help pay for tire repairs.

Is a flat tire covered under warranty?

While insurance will not pay for tire repairs or replacements due to standard wear and tear, you can obtain a warranty on your tires that lasts either a certain number of months or a certain amount of miles.

If your tires are under warranty and you get a flat tire, your warranty will pay for the tire repairs.

If the tire cannot be fixed, the company will prorate the remaining mileage toward the purchase of a new tire. So even with a warranty, there’s still a chance you’ll be paying something out of pocket for a flat tire.

How many tires does insurance cover if they’re slashed?

If your tires have been damaged by vandalism, such as having been slashed or punctured, your comprehensive or full coverage will cover all of your tires once you meet your deductible.

With liability-only coverage, or liability and collision, your slashed tires would not be covered by your insurance. Instead, you would have to pay out of pocket to replace them.

Full coverage on your vehicle will cost more than simple liability coverage, but it will offer protection for covered events. Keep in mind, policies do not cover routine wear and tear.

The table below shows the difference in annual rates between liability and full coverage in all 50 U.S. states.

Auto Insurance Monthly Rates by State & Coverage Level

As you can see, full coverage can increase your annual rates by several hundred dollars, if not more. But it could save you thousands in the event of a large claim. If you are uncertain whether or not you can afford full coverage, you can shop around online to compare quotes from multiple companies and determine how much you might end up paying.

What should I do if I get a flat tire?

If you notice that your car has a flat before you start driving, do not drive your vehicle. If your car is in a level location, you can replace the tire with a spare. Or you can call for roadside assistance.

If you are driving and you suddenly get a flat tire, pull over as soon as possible. Turn on your emergency flashers and get out of any traffic. Once it’s safe to do so, you can exit your car and inspect the damage.

With only one tire, it’s reasonable to assume that you could replace your tire with a spare and drive carefully to a repair shop to have everything inspected. However, if you have more than one flat tire, it’s best to contact roadside assistance and get towed to a repair shop.

Regardless, you should not ever drive on a flat tire. It can seriously damage your vehicle and put you and other drivers in a lot of danger. Make sure that you get your flat tire repaired as soon as possible, and only drive on your spare when absolutely necessary.

If you aren’t certain whether or not your car insurance will cover a flat tire, you may want to shop around for additional coverage options. You can compare quotes from several companies online to discover what might work best for you.

And be sure to use our free quote tool below to find and compare car insurance rates that fit your budget today.