Does car insurance cover side mirror repair?

Side mirrors are essential for seeing what’s beside and behind you while driving. Since they stick out, they’re more vulnerable to damage than many other parts of your vehicle. In some cases, car insurance pays for side mirror repair. However, the coverage you get can depend on the policy you purchase, and you may need to pay for some repairs yourself. Read on to find out whether your insurance will cover car side mirror repairs.

Finding Out Whether Insurance Covers Auto Side Mirror Repair

Whether your insurance covers side mirrors depends on the type of auto insurance you have, as well as the size of your deductible. Most states require liability insurance policies that pay for damages to other vehicles, property, or people if someone has an accident. However, these policies don’t pay for damages to the policy owner’s car. If the accident was the fault of another person, their insurance company may cover your repairs.

Collision car insurance coverage pays for damage to a side mirror after an accident, even when the policy owner was at fault. Many policies also include comprehensive insurance. It pays for damage from theft, vandalism, severe weather, and other events that could happen when a car isn’t on the road. Vehicles with turn signals integrated into the mirrors, power mirrors, or heated side mirrors are usually more expensive to repair after damage. 

The average auto insurance deductible is $500, although higher and lower deductibles are available. Before people receive insurance benefits after an accident or another event, they usually need to contribute the deductible amount to the repair shop. 

For example, someone with a $500 deductible and $400 in damage to a side mirror wouldn’t receive a payment from their insurance company. Another driver with a $250 deductible would receive the remaining $150 to help with the repair. That’s the $400 repair cost minus the $250 deductible. If you have an excellent driving record, you may not need to pay much more to add comprehensive insurance, collision insurance, or get a lower deductible.

Why Side Mirrors Are Important

Side mirrors let drivers see what’s around them without needing to look too far away from the road. A broken side mirror increases driver blind spots, making driving more hazardous. For example, someone could collide with a vehicle they missed while changing lanes or hit their mailbox by accident while backing out of their driveway.   

In most states, side mirrors are required by law. In some states, you may not get a ticket for a broken side mirror if your rearview mirror and your other side mirror work. However, police can stop your vehicle if they see a broken side mirror.

How to Protect Your Car’s Side Mirrors

A lower deductible can make repairing a car’s side mirror less costly. You can also prevent accidents and protect your vehicle by using a garage. With garaged car insurance, you will also sometimes see reduced rates, as you typically drive the vehicle less when it’s in storage. Many insurance companies offer a discount for people who keep their cars in a garage most of the time.

Avoiding tight parking spaces can help you protect your side mirrors as well. Consider choosing a vehicle that’s taller than most as the mirrors sit higher, making mirror-to-mirror collisions in traffic less likely. You can also get folding side mirrors that let your vehicle squeeze into small parking spaces and garages without risking mirror damage. 

Final Thoughts on Insurance Covering Side Mirror Repairs

Your deductible and the type of auto insurance you have are the two major factors in determining whether your side mirror repair will be covered. While collision insurance usually takes care of it, if your car insurance doesn’t cover side mirrors, you might want to get a lower deductible or add more coverage.