This post was published on Apr 30, 2025
Although car insurance provides protection against financial loss in the event of accident, theft and fire, it’s important to remember that, as the insured, you have a responsibility to maintain your vehicle. Regular upkeep ensures your car remains in good condition, as insurance does not cover wear and tear. This might be a frustrating reality for many car owners but understanding why wear and tear isn’t included in your cover is key to making sure you’re fully informed about your policy. Let’s dive into what this exclusion means and how it affects you as the insured.
What is Wear and Tear?
Wear and tear refers to the gradual deterioration of your car’s parts and systems over time due to regular use. Unlike a sudden event like a crash or a storm, wear and tear is a slow process that happens as a result of day-to-day driving. Some common examples include:
• Brake pads wearing down after frequent use
• Tyres becoming bald or losing tread
• Engine components gradually degrading
• Suspension systems wearing out
• Battery losing charge over time
While these issues can be inconvenient, they are seen as a normal part of a car’s life cycle. Insurance companies normally don’t cover them because they are not considered "unexpected" or "unforeseen" damage, which is what car insurance is primarily designed to handle.
Why Don’t Insurance Policies Cover Wear and Tear?
1. It’s a Part of Regular Maintenance
Car insurance is meant to protect against financial loss in the event of accident, theft and fire—things that you can’t predict or prevent. Wear and tear, on the other hand, is expected as part of a vehicle's regular use. It's something that car owners need to manage through regular maintenance and care.
2. It’s Difficult to Determine Responsibility
Since wear and tear happens over time, it’s often hard to pinpoint when a part of your car started to degrade. If insurance covered wear and tear, it would create challenges in determining when exactly the damage occurred and who was responsible. This could open the door to potential fraud and disputes, so insurers avoid it altogether.
3. Insurance is for Sudden, Unexpected Events Car insurance is designed to cover the unexpected. If your car’s engine suddenly fails due to an accident, that's something your policy might cover. However, if the engine fails after years of regular use without any accidents, it’s seen as the result of normal wear and tear, which isn’t insurable.
What Can You Do to Protect Yourself?
Even though wear and tear aren’t covered by insurance, there are still ways to protect your vehicle and your wallet:
1. Regular Maintenance
Stay on top of regular maintenance to prevent bigger issues down the road. This includes routine oil changes, tyre rotations, brake checks, and keeping an eye on your car’s overall condition. The better you maintain your car, the longer it will last.
2. Extended Warranties
Some car manufacturers and third-party companies offer extended warranties that can help cover repairs or replacements for wear-and-tear-related issues. While these warranties aren’t the same as insurance, they can provide peace of mind for specific components of your car.
3. Use Maintenance Plans
Some car manufacturers and dealerships offer service plans that can help cover scheduled maintenance for an extended period. These plans can reduce the likelihood of having to pay for out-of-pocket repairs that might stem from wear and tear.4. Start a Maintenance Fund
If you don’t want to rely on a warranty or a maintenance plan, consider setting aside money in a dedicated account for future car repairs. Knowing that you have funds available for wear-and-tear issues can help you stay ahead of any costs that may arise.
Understanding that car insurance doesn’t cover wear and tear helps set the right expectations. While it's frustrating, it’s also something that’s ultimately in your control to prevent or manage. By keeping up with your car’s maintenance, you can avoid many of the common issues that result from wear and tear and prolong the life of your vehicle. If you do run into an issue, looking into extended warranties or service plans can help protect your finances.
Remember, car insurance is for the unexpected, and wear and tear is just part of the natural cycle of owning a vehicle. Stay proactive and informed, and your car will continue to serve you well for years to come!
#wyzemove: Service your car regularly—insurance won’t cover engine damage caused by missed maintenance.
