Does Car Insurance Cover Tire Damage?

Last Updated on February 5, 2026

Tires are easy to forget about—until you hit a pothole, run over a nail, or walk out to find your tires flat. The frustrating part is that tire damage is common, but car insurance doesn’t cover most tire problems the way people expect.

In general, auto insurance only pays for tire damage when it’s tied to a covered event (like a collision, theft, or vandalism) and the claim makes financial sense after your deductible.

• Car insurance usually doesn’t cover routine tire wear, slow leaks, or basic flats—those are considered maintenance.
• Tire damage may be covered when it’s tied to a covered event (collision with a pothole/curb, theft, or vandalism) and you have the right coverage.
• Comprehensive coverage typically applies to stolen or slashed tires, but you’ll usually pay a deductible and reimbursement may reflect depreciation.
• Roadside assistance can help with services like towing or changing a tire, but it usually won’t pay to replace the tire itself.

Quick Answer: Does car insurance cover tire damage?

Sometimes. Car insurance usually does not cover normal wear, slow leaks, or routine flats. But it may cover tire damage if it happened because of a covered claim type, such as:

• Collision (you hit a pothole/curb/road hazard and damage the tire and wheel)
• Comprehensive (theft, vandalism like slashed tires, falling objects, certain storm damage)
• Roadside assistance (service help, not the tire itself—like a tow or changing your spare)

Even if the incident is covered, it may not be worth filing a claim if the tire replacement cost is close to (or below) your deductible—especially if a claim could impact your premium later.

Insurance coverage for tire wear and tear

For the most part, auto insurance does not cover regular tire wear and tear. Insurance is designed for sudden, accidental losses—not routine maintenance.

If your tire is worn, cracked, dry-rotted, or gradually losing air over time, the cost is typically on you. However, you might have help from a tire warranty or protection plan. If you have a warranty with the installer or manufacturer, that may cover a repair or replacement depending on the terms.

Car insurance and flat tires

Flat tires are incredibly common—and they’re usually not an auto insurance claim. A nail, screw, slow leak, or underinflation is typically treated as maintenance, not a covered loss.

That said, your policy might still help indirectly. If you carry roadside assistance, your insurer may pay for services like a tow, jump start, or sending someone to help change your tire. Roadside assistance usually won’t buy you a brand-new tire, but it can reduce the hassle and cost of getting to a repair shop.

If a tire blowout causes additional damage (for example, the shredded tire damages your fender or undercarriage), you may have a claim for the resulting vehicle damage—depending on what caused the blowout and which coverage applies.

Tire damage from potholes or road hazards

Potholes are one of the most common causes of sudden tire and wheel damage. Whether insurance pays depends on what happened:

• If you hit a pothole/curb and damage your tire and wheel: that’s often treated like a collision-type loss (subject to your deductible).
• If only the tire is damaged: it still might be considered collision, but the claim often isn’t worth it because tires aren’t that expensive compared to the deductible.

If you’re debating whether to file, compare the repair estimate to your deductible and consider whether filing could contribute to higher rates later.

Car insurance and stolen tires

If your tires (or wheels) are stolen, this is typically covered under comprehensive coverage. You’ll usually need to file a claim, document the loss, and pay your comprehensive deductible.

Keep receipts and photos of aftermarket wheels/tires. If you have expensive upgrades, you may need custom parts and equipment coverage to be reimbursed properly.

Car insurance and slashed tires

Slashed tires usually fall under vandalism, which is commonly covered by comprehensive coverage. If you discover slashed tires, file a police report and contact your insurer.

Just keep the economics in mind. You’ll likely owe a deductible, and insurers may factor in depreciation (especially if the tires were already worn). If you do file a claim, be aware it can sometimes contribute to a premium increase at renewal depending on your insurer, your state, and your claims history.

When it’s smarter to use a warranty (or pay out of pocket)

Even when insurance technically applies, many tire claims aren’t worth filing. Consider paying out of pocket (or using a tire protection plan) when:

• The total repair/replacement cost is close to your deductible
• The tire was already worn and reimbursement would be reduced for depreciation
• You’re trying to avoid adding another claim to your record

Check your policy for the details

When in doubt, read your policy documents. They outline what counts as a covered loss, your deductibles, and whether roadside assistance is included. If the language is confusing, call your insurer and ask for a plain-English explanation of how your coverages apply to tires in scenarios like potholes, vandalism, and theft.

FAQs on Tire Damage and Car Insurance