Will Auto Insurance Replace Headlights?
Last Updated on April 29, 2022
Headlights can become damaged or need replacement.
If you damage your headlights or taillights, then you may be able to make an auto insurance claim. It depends on how the damage occurred – and the type of policy you have.
Insurance covers headlight repairs and replacements if the damage occurred in a covered event – like an accident, vandalism, or hail damage.
However, insurance does not cover ordinary maintenance or wear and tear. If your headlights burnt out, then you cannot make a car insurance claim.
Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about how auto insurance covers headlights.
Table of Contents:
- How Car Insurance Covers Headlight Damage
- Burnt Out Headlights Are Never Covered by Car Insurance
- Is It Worth Filing a Claim?
- Are Headlights Covered Under My Warranty?
- Common Causes of Headlight and Taillight Damage
How Car Insurance Covers Headlight Damage
Auto insurance may or may not replace headlights, depending on how the damage occurred.
To understand if your car insurance policy covers headlight replacement, it helps to understand the three main types of car insurance coverage:
Liability Coverage: Liability coverage covers damage you cause to other people and property. If you damage someone else’s headlights in a collision where you were at fault, then your liability coverage will cover the cost of repairing the other person’s headlights. If the other driver was at-fault and damaged your headlights in a collision, then you would make a claim through the other driver’s liability coverage. Most states require bodily injury and property damage liability coverage.
Collision Coverage: Collision coverage covers damage to your own vehicle after an accident. If you collided with another vehicle and were at fault, then you make a claim through your own collision coverage. You pay your deductible (typically around $500), and your insurance company covers all remaining costs of restoring your vehicle to pre-loss condition. If there’s $5,000 of damage to the front of your vehicle, including your headlights, then car insurance will cover the cost of repairing and replacing that damage. Collision coverage is optional in all states.
Comprehensive Coverage: Comprehensive coverage covers damage to your vehicle that occurs outside of accidents, including theft, vandalism, fire damage, and hail damage. If someone vandalized your vehicle and smashed your headlights, for example, then you could make a claim through comprehensive coverage. Or, if a fallen tree branch destroyed your headlights, then you could make a claim through comprehensive coverage.
Burnt Out Headlights Are Never Covered by Car Insurance
Over time, headlights burn out and need to be replaced. A standard car insurance policy never covers the cost of burnt-out headlight replacement.
Even if car insurance did cover burnt-out headlight replacement, it may not be worth filing a claim. It costs $20 to $60 to replace a burnt-out headlight. To make an insurance claim, you need to pay your deductible (typically $250 to $500), which means you’re better off paying out of pocket.
Insurance covers unexpected expenses – not ordinary maintenance or wear and tear.
Burnt out headlights are an expected and ordinary part of owning a vehicle. If your vehicle’s headlights have burnt out, then you need to pay out of pocket to replace those headlights.
Is It Worth Filing a Claim?
Car insurance may or may not cover headlight damage, depending on the situation. However, it may not be worth filing a claim.
If the cost of replacing the headlight is lower than your deductible, then you’re better off paying out of pocket for headlight replacement.
Let’s say it costs $300 to replace your headlights and repair damage to those headlights. Your car insurance company charges a deductible of $500 for collision claims. In this situation, you’d save $200 by paying for headlight replacement out of pocket. Even if headlight damage was eligible for a claim, it’s not in your best interest to make a claim.
However, if there’s damage to other parts of your vehicle, then it may be worth filing a claim. In this situation, you only pay a single deductible to cover all damage to your vehicle. If someone caused $10,000 of damage to your headlights and all other parts of your vehicle, for example, then you pay a $500 deductible, and your insurer covers the rest.
Are Headlights Covered Under My Warranty?
Some car warranties cover headlight and taillight damage, while others do not.
If your headlight or taillight has burnt out, then it may fall under warranty coverage – especially if you have a new vehicle or you have an extended warranty.
Most headlight and taillight issues, however, are not covered under a warranty.
Common Causes of Headlight and Taillight Damage
Here are some of the most common causes of headlight and taillight damage – and how insurance covers the damage.
Accidents Where the Other Driver is At-Fault: If you were sitting at a stoplight and someone hit you from behind, then your taillights might have severe damage and need replacement. In this situation, you make a claim through the other driver’s insurance company, and the other driver’s insurance company covers the full cost of replacing or repairing your taillights. If the other driver is uninsured or flees the scene, then you may be able to make a claim through your uninsured motorist coverage (which is optional in most states).
Accidents Where You Were At-Fault: If you collided with another vehicle from behind, then you may have damaged your headlights. In this situation, you make a claim through your collision coverage. You pay your deductible, and your insurer covers all remaining costs of repairing your vehicle to pre-loss condition. The other driver, meanwhile, can make a claim through your insurance policy as well.
Collisions with Objects – Like a Light Pole: If you hit a light pole while driving, then your insurance may cover the cost of repairing damage to your headlights. You make a comprehensive coverage claim, and your insurer covers all remaining costs of replacing or repairing the damage. Comprehensive coverage is optional in all states. If you only have minimum liability insurance, then you may not be covered, and you may need to pay out of pocket.
Collisions with Animals: If you hit an animal and damaged your vehicle, then you can make a claim through your comprehensive coverage. Comprehensive coverage covers collisions with animals. You pay a comprehensive coverage deductible (typically around $250), and your insurance covers all remaining costs of replacing or repairing your headlights and other vehicle damage. Comprehensive coverage is optional in all states, and drivers with minimum liability insurance policies may not be covered.
Your Headlights or Taillights Stopped Working: If your headlights or taillights have suddenly stopped working, then you may not be able to make an insurance claim. Over time, headlights and taillights burn out, and that’s a normal part of owning a vehicle. Insurance does not cover wear and tear, nor does it cover maintenance-related issues. You cannot make a car insurance claim for burnt-out headlights or taillights. However, if your headlights or taillights stopped working for other reasons (say, due to faulty wiring or other damage), then you may be able to make a claim under your warranty or comprehensive coverage.
Final Word on Insurance Replacing Headlights
Auto insurance will not pay to replace burnt-out headlights or taillights. Over time, headlights and tail lights burn out and need to be replaced, and auto insurance does not cover ordinary maintenance.
However, if you damaged your headlights or taillights in a collision, or if someone else damaged your headlights or taillights, then you may be able to make an auto insurance claim.
Contact your insurer to determine if it’s worth it to make an auto insurance claim for headlight replacement.
