CarInsurance.com Insights
- Rust damage is generally not covered by auto insurance since it is considered normal wear and tear.
- While comprehensive insurance covers incidents like theft, floods, and fire, rust damage is only covered if it directly results from a covered event.
- Check your comprehensive policy and speak with your insurance agent to see if rust repairs are covered, as coverage may vary depending on state laws and policy details.
Auto insurance does not typically cover rust damage to a vehicle. Rust is usually considered normal wear and tear of the car. Collision and comprehensive insurance cover damages to the car from an incident, not rust, which usually appears over time.
If, however, the rust is due to an incident and the repair was not made correctly, or you had water damage to the vehicle due to floods, hurricane winds and covered water damage, you could check to see if your comprehensive coverage would cover your resulting rust damage.
Does comprehensive insurance cover rust damage?
Comprehensive insurance normally covers your vehicle for losses from incidents other than collision (OTC).
For example, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car if it is stolen or damaged by flood, fire or animals. This optional auto insurance coverage pays to fix your vehicle minus the deductible you choose and may cover rust damage depending on how and why it happened.
There are exclusions to OTC: mainly normal wear and tear and mechanical failures not due to a covered event or loss. If the rust is not caused by an accident or other incident covered by your auto insurance policy but is due to normal wear and tear, the repairs needed would not be covered by your auto insurance policy.
You can read through the terms of your OTC auto insurance policy and speak with your agent to find out if any needed repairs caused by rust will be covered since state laws and insurance policies differ.
To cover needed repairs due to rust, you need to review the car’s warranty (if it is still covered and this damage qualifies for coverage). Or, if you have mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI), learn if this type of damage is covered, although normal wear and tear is usually excluded by MBI.
Is it worth fixing a car with a rusted frame?
Repairing a rust-damaged vehicle frame can be costly and may not be worth it if the damage is extensive, as it can compromise the car’s safety and structural integrity. It’s often more practical to assess the vehicle’s overall value and consider replacement instead. Contact a trustworthy mechanic to get an estimate and assess the damage.
How do I know if my insurance covers rust damage?
If you have a comprehensive car insurance policy and the rust was a result of a covered peril — such as a flood or hurricane — contact your car insurance agent. If you don’t have comprehensive or if the rust is a result of wear and tear, your insurance won’t cover it.
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The bottom line
Auto insurance generally doesn’t cover rust damage to a vehicle, as rust is considered normal wear and tear.
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