Is Side Mirror Damage Covered by Car Insurance?

Last Updated on December 18, 2025

Side mirror damage is usually “small” compared to a major collision—but it can still be a headache (and surprisingly expensive if your mirror has blind-spot sensors, heating, power-fold motors, or a built-in camera). Whether insurance will pay depends on how the mirror was damaged, what coverage you carry, and whether the repair cost is higher than your deductible.

Before you file anything, it’s worth stepping back and doing the same quick math you’d do after any minor loss: should you make an insurance claim? Below is a clear breakdown of when a broken side mirror is covered, when it isn’t, and when it’s smarter to pay out of pocket.

Key Takeaways

Side mirror damage is covered only if you have the right coverage and the cause is a covered event (collision, vandalism, storm damage, etc.).
Collision usually applies when your mirror is damaged in a crash; comprehensive usually applies for vandalism, weather, and other non-collision losses.
Hit-and-run mirror damage may be covered in some cases if you carry uninsured motorist coverage (or UMPD where available) and document the incident properly.
Because mirror repairs are often close to common deductibles, getting an estimate first is key before filing a claim that could affect your claim history.

Table Of Contents

Quick Answer: Is Side Mirror Damage Covered by Car Insurance?
First Step: Should You File a Police Report?
If Another Driver Hits Your Side Mirror
When Someone Hits Your Parked Car and Leaves
When a Vandal Breaks Your Side Mirror
Natural Disaster or “Act of God” Mirror Damage
Deciding Whether to File a Claim
FAQs on Side Mirror Damage and Insurance
The Bottom Line on Side Mirror Damage

Quick Answer: Is Side Mirror Damage Covered by Car Insurance?

Sometimes. Side mirror damage is usually covered when it’s caused by a covered event (a collision, vandalism, theft, storm damage, or a hit-and-run in some situations). But if you only have liability-only insurance (minimum coverage), you’ll typically pay for your own mirror.

First Step: Should You File a Police Report?

What you do first depends on how the mirror broke. If another driver hit your car, if it was a hit-and-run, or if it looks like someone intentionally damaged it, a police report can make the claim process much smoother.

If you need to report the incident, use this guide: how to file a police report after an accident. A report is also commonly requested for vandalism claims: does car insurance cover vandalism?

If the mirror was damaged by weather (like debris blowing into your vehicle) you usually don’t need a police report—just documentation and photos. Here’s the related coverage angle for big storms: does auto insurance cover hurricane damage?

If Another Driver Hits Your Side Mirror

If you know who hit you, the cleanest path is usually to file a claim through the at-fault driver’s liability coverage. If their insurer accepts fault, they pay for the mirror repair and you typically don’t pay a deductible.

You can also choose to file through your own policy if you have collision coverage, then your insurer may try to recover the money from the other driver’s insurance afterward. This can get your car fixed faster, but you may have to pay your deductible up front (and get it back later if your insurer successfully recovers).

When Someone Hits Your Parked Car and Leaves

It’s common for a mirror to get clipped while your car is parked. If you’re dealing with that situation, start here: somebody hit your parked car. The frustrating part is when it becomes a hit-and-run accident.

If the driver isn’t found, coverage depends on your policy and your state. In some states, uninsured motorist coverage (or uninsured motorist property damage where available) may help with certain hit-and-run damages—especially if you have a police report and the policy rules are met.

When a Vandal Breaks Your Side Mirror

If your mirror was intentionally damaged (kicked, smashed, or otherwise vandalized), this is typically handled under comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive is optional coverage that protects your car from non-collision events like theft, vandalism, falling objects, and many weather losses.

Natural Disaster or “Act of God” Mirror Damage

If a storm, fallen limb, flying debris, or similar event damages your mirror, comprehensive coverage is usually what applies. If you don’t carry comprehensive, you’ll likely be paying out of pocket.

Deciding Whether to File a Claim

The biggest deciding factor is your deductible. Many drivers have $500 or $1,000 deductibles on comprehensive/collision, which means a mirror claim often isn’t worth it unless the mirror is loaded with tech.

In today’s market, side mirror replacement cost can range from a relatively cheap glass-only fix to a high-priced full assembly replacement (especially for power-fold mirrors, heated mirrors, blind-spot monitoring, or camera-equipped mirrors). Always get an estimate first.

If you do decide to use insurance, make sure you understand the repair process and your options for getting the work done: how to go through your insurance company to get repairs done.

Also keep in mind: filing a claim creates a claim history. Even when the loss is minor, frequent claims can impact pricing at renewal. If you choose to file, follow best practices so you don’t accidentally hurt your position: the proper way to file an insurance claim after an accident.

FAQs on Side Mirror Damage and Insurance

Is a broken side mirror covered by comprehensive or collision?

It depends on how it happened. Collision usually applies if the mirror was damaged in a crash (you hit something or another vehicle hit you). Comprehensive usually applies for non-collision causes like vandalism, theft-related damage, falling objects, and many weather losses.

Will insurance pay for side mirror damage if someone hits my parked car?

If you can identify the at-fault driver, their liability insurance should pay. If it’s a hit-and-run and the driver isn’t found, coverage depends on your policy and state rules—some drivers may have help through uninsured motorist coverage or through their own collision/comprehensive coverage.

Do I need a police report for a broken mirror claim?

Not always, but it can help a lot. A police report is commonly requested for hit-and-run and vandalism claims, and it strengthens your documentation. For weather-related damage, a police report usually isn’t required.

Is it worth filing a claim for a broken side mirror?

Often, no—because many drivers have $500 or $1,000 deductibles and mirror repairs can fall near that range. It’s usually worth filing only if the repair is clearly above your deductible, another driver is paying, or the mirror has expensive tech (cameras, sensors, power-fold motors).

Can I choose my own body shop for mirror repairs?

In many states, yes—you typically have the right to choose a repair shop. Your insurer may recommend a preferred shop network, but you can usually use another shop if you want. Always confirm how using a different shop affects guarantees and the claims process.

Will my insurance rates go up if I file a side mirror claim?

Not always, but it can happen. Collision claims and at-fault losses are more likely to impact rates. Comprehensive claims may have less impact, but frequent claims of any type can still affect pricing. If the other driver’s insurance pays, your rates typically won’t increase because you didn’t file a claim on your own policy.

What if I only have minimum coverage insurance?

Minimum coverage usually means liability-only, which typically does not pay to fix your own car’s mirror. If another driver is at fault, their insurance can pay. Otherwise, you’ll generally pay out of pocket unless you add collision and/or comprehensive coverage.

The Bottom Line on Side Mirror Damage

Side mirror damage may or may not be covered—it depends on your coverage and what caused the damage. If you only carry state-required minimum coverage, you probably don’t have comprehensive or collision to protect your own vehicle, so you’ll likely pay out of pocket unless another driver’s insurance pays.

Before you file a claim, confirm your deductible and get a repair quote. If your insurer recommends a shop, understand your rights and options first: can my auto insurer make me use a certain body shop? In many mirror-damage cases, paying out of pocket is the simplest move—unless the repair is clearly above your deductible or another driver is responsible.