Will Insurance Cover Fender Bender Accidents?
The first question on everyone's mind after a minor auto incident is usually, "Does insurance cover fender bender accidents?" With the right insurance policy, the answer is yes – but sometimes, it makes more sense to pay for repairs yourself.
Sunroad Collision Center accepts all insurance providers and restores cars to pristine condition. But we also educate our customers on how to make wise post-accident decisions so they can feel confident that they're getting the best service possible. If a recent accident has you wondering about insurance claims and repair timelines, we've got your answers.
What Is a Fender Bender?
A fender bender is a minor, low-speed accident that causes little or no damage to a vehicle's front or rear fenders, bumpers, or side panels. They tend to occur in driveways, parking lots, or stop-and-go traffic. Afterward, your car should still be drivable, and everyone involved usually sustains minimal or no injuries. Fender benders include:
- Rear-end collisions
- Hitting a parked vehicle
- Hitting a moving vehicle
- Backing into a vehicle
- Hitting a stationary object
Does Insurance Cover Fender Bender Accidents?
Your vehicle might be out of commission for a few weeks for repairs, but the good news is that, yes, insurance should cover all or a large portion of your fender bender damages. Remember: Your insurance company cannot legally dictate which body shop you choose for repairs, so feel free to select the collision center that makes you feel most comfortable.
The best way to make sure you're not left asking, "Does insurance cover fender bender accidents?" after one has occurred is to make sure your vehicle's protected by one or more of these coverages.
- Collision Insurance: Collision coverage generally pays for vehicle repairs, whether you or another driver is at fault. Though not mandatory by law in any U.S. state, collision insurance is almost always required if you're leasing or financing a vehicle.
- Liability Insurance: This coverage pays for damage you cause to someone else's vehicle, person, or property. A liability auto policy is required by law in nearly every state.
- PIP Insurance: Personal Injury Protection, sometimes known as medical coverage, pays medical bills, lost income, and other expenses if you or your passengers are injured in an accident.
- Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance: If your fender bender includes someone without adequate insurance coverage, this type of protection can help pay for medical expenses and property damage.
- Rental Insurance: This coverage offers rental car reimbursement while your vehicle's being repaired.
Should I File a Claim for a Fender Bender or Pay Out of Pocket?
In most instances, filing an insurance claim after a fender bender is the right course of action, especially if your auto insurance policy includes collision coverage. However, if you find yourself in one of the following three scenarios, it may make more sense to pay out of pocket:
- If the accident is minor, no one is injured, and only your own property is damaged.
- If the cost to mend your vehicle is less than or equal to your insurance deductible.
- If your local transportation authority does not require all accidents to be reported.
Keep in mind that sometimes, filing an insurance claim can cause your premium to go up. Because fender benders are minor accidents, your insurer may not raise your rates, particularly if you have an otherwise unblemished driving record. However, if the accident was your fault or costs a larger sum to fix, you can anticipate an increased insurance premium.
Does a Collision Center Fix Fender Benders?
Yes, full-service body shops like Sunroad Collision Center fix everything from fender-bender dents to complex engine failure. We offer structural, mechanical, and aesthetic restoration so your vehicle can safely rejoin the roadway. Schedule an appointment at Sunroad Collision Center online now to get your free estimate for dent removal, paint matching, engine rebuilds, or body and frame service.
Get Fender Bender Repairs Done at Sunroad Collision Center
Sunroad Collision Center makes it easy to get the fender-bender assistance you need and the customer attention you deserve. From start to finish, we make the entire experience less stressful. You can count on our collision center to provide these benefits for any make or model, both foreign and domestic:
- Free estimates
- Online scheduling
- Specialized insurance support
- Acceptance of all insurance providers
- Rotating service specials
- Warrantied repairs
- Daily vehicle updates
- State-of-the-art equipment
- Rental car coordination
At Sunroad Collision Center, you're guaranteed high-quality auto renovations. Not only do we employ extremely skilled technicians with decades of combined experience, but our collision center also houses ultramodern painting booths, computerized paint mixing and matching, the latest bonding and composite compounds, and laser frame measuring and straightening machinery.
Take the fear and frustration out of your next fender bender by requesting a free online estimate from Sunroad Collision Center, the full-service body shop that San Diego drivers can trust for any type of accident repair.