When you encounter an unexpected electrical problem with your car, you may wonder if your auto insurance policy covers it.
Generally, standard auto insurance does not protect you from the costs of electrical faults unless they result from an incident like an accident or theft.
Consider a scenario where your vehicle’s advanced infotainment system stops working suddenly—could this be related to a covered event, or are you responsible for the costs?
Before you end up paying from your own pocket, it’s important to examine the details of your coverage and think about getting additional protection like mechanical breakdown insurance.
What Auto Insurance Covers
Car insurance typically covers you against financial losses from accidents, theft, and vandalism, but it usually doesn’t cover costs related to electrical or mechanical breakdowns due to wear and tear.
If your car’s electrical system fails simply because it’s old, you’ll likely have to handle the costs yourself. However, if the electrical issues are caused by a covered event such as a fire or theft, your comprehensive insurance might cover it.
It’s important to know the details of your policy, as coverage can differ greatly.
If an accident causes electrical problems, the costs to repair these might be covered, but this depends on the specifics of your insurance.
Always check your policy or talk to your insurance provider to understand what’s covered and what’s not.
Types of Coverage for Electrical Issues
Understanding your car insurance options for electrical issues is important because standard policies usually don’t cover these problems. Here is a simple overview of what might be available:
- Standard Coverage: Generally doesn’t include electrical malfunctions.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Protects against damages from events like fire or theft but doesn’t cover ordinary failures.
- Collision Coverage: Covers electrical damages if they’re related to an accident.
- Mechanical Breakdown Insurance: An optional extra that might cover certain electrical repairs.
- Documentation: Crucial for supporting a claim; keep records of all maintenance and repairs.
You should examine your policy carefully or think about additional coverage to make sure you’re covered for potential electrical issues.
Always verify the details with your insurance provider.
Insurance Policy Exclusions
Regular maintenance can help prevent many common electrical problems in vehicles. However, it’s essential to know what your car insurance policy doesn’t cover.
Typically, insurance doesn’t cover mechanical or electrical breakdowns, including wear and tear or gradual deterioration, such as battery failures or wiring faults. If your car has manufacturer defects or recalls, these won’t be covered either.
Additionally, if you have neglected maintenance or made unsafe modifications that lead to electrical issues, your insurance claims could be denied.
It’s important to understand these exclusions, as driving violations or unsafe modifications causing electrical failures are usually not covered.
Conclusion
In summary, your car insurance usually doesn’t cover common electrical issues unless they result from an accident. For added reassurance, consider getting mechanical breakdown insurance, which can cover these costs. Always review your policy details and speak to your insurance provider to understand what is included and what isn’t.
Need an Auto Electrician? Speak to us today by calling 09 218 7789 or emailing info@eurosparx.co.nz.