If you damage your own car, can you claim it on your insurance?
If you have collision coverage, you're typically covered for damaging your own car. For instance, if you run into an object or other vehicle (even another of your vehicles), you can claim it on your insurance like any other car accident. If no other drivers were involved, or if you caused the accident, the damage to your vehicle will likely be considered your fault and can only be covered if you have collision coverage. Depending on your state and circumstances, if you file a collision claim, your premium may go up when you renew your policy.
Explore Progressive Answers' auto editorial guidelines to find out why you can trust the car insurance information you find here.
If I damage my own car, will my car insurance go up?
If you file a claim for damaging your own car, your insurance rate may increase when you renew your policy. Car insurance rates typically increase after a car accident you cause because it can be an indicator that you're more likely to have future accidents.
Your insurer may offer accident forgiveness for loyal drivers with clean records, your first accident, or minor accidents. If the damage you caused to your own car meets your policy's accident forgiveness requirements, the accident won't cause your rate to go up.
Example:You accidentally hit your family's second car while backing out in your driveway. You have collision coverage, so you file a claim, and your insurance pays for the $800 in repairs minus your deductible. You're a Progressive customer of five years with no violations or accidents. Since you qualify for Large Accident Forgiveness, your rate won't increase because of this incident.
What type of insurance covers damage to your own car?
Damage you caused: Damage you caused to your own car is covered by collision or sometimes comprehensive if you have those coverages on your policy. If you damage your own car by hitting something other than an animal, it's covered by auto collision. If your car is damaged by an unexpected event like a hailstorm, it's covered by auto comprehensive.
Damage someone else caused: Damage someone else caused to your car is covered by the other driver's liability coverage. You'll file a third-party liability claim with their insurance. If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage, your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) property damage may cover the damage up to your policy's limit.
Your liability insurance won't cover damage to your own property or vehicle. To be covered for damage you cause to your own car, you'll need to add collision and comprehensive to your auto insurance coverages.
Find out how car insurance works for damaging your own car in these circumstances:
- Coverage for hitting a curb
- Coverage for hitting a tree
- Coverage for hitting a pole
- Coverage for hitting a wall
- Coverage for guardrail damage
- Coverage for single car accidents
Can an auto insurer deny my claim if I damaged my own car?
Insurers might deny your claim for damaging your own vehicle if:
- You don't have collision or, in certain cases, comprehensive coverage
- The damage is excluded from your coverage or exceeds your limits
- You caused the damage intentionally
- Your insurer finds evidence of car insurance fraud
How to get coverage for damage to your own car
New Progressive customers
Call 1-866-749-7436 or quote auto insurance online and be sure to include collision and comprehensive in your coverages.
Current Progressive customers
Log in to your policy or call us at 1-866-749-7436 to add collision and comprehensive coverage.
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