A tire blowout can be disastrous on the road, endangering your life and the lives of others. While a flat tire occurs more gradually from a small puncture in your tire, a blowout is sudden and dangerous.
In the event that you damage your car or motorcycle during a blowout, you may be wondering if your insurance covers the damages. While it all depends on your auto insurance policy, there are certain types of insurance that cover a blowout. Learn more about these types of automotive insurance below.
Collision insurance
As the name suggests, collision insurance covers damages incurred during accidents and collisions. This can range from minor fender benders to more serious accidents in which your car is totaled.
While a blowout is a type of car accident, it differs from these other instances since the tire is what is damaged and not the body of the car itself. Since a blowout isn’t considered an accident in the same way that a collision is, collision insurance won’t be helpful if you have a tire blowout.
Comprehensive insurance
If collision insurance won’t cover a blown tire, you may be wondering whether or not comprehensive insurance does. Even though a comprehensive policy covers some blowouts, it won’t cover them in every single instance. Often times, if your tire is the only part of the vehicle that is damaged, comprehensive insurance will not handle the costs to replace the tire.
However, if there is other damage to your car or motorcycle in addition to the blowout, a comprehensive insurance policy will likely cover the damages. It’s also important to note that if the tire blowout was caused by a mechanic’s error or a manufacturing defect, that respective party may be liable for the costs incurred to replace the tire.
What to do during a tire blowout
Tire blowouts are dangerous, and it’s vital that you respond appropriately if you are driving and blow a tire. Your first reaction will likely be to hit the brakes; however, this is one of the most dangerous things you can do, because it can actually make the situation even worse. Instead of braking immediately, lightly accelerate a bit.
When you have a blown tire, the car will begin to drift in the direction of the damaged tire, and accelerating can help minimize some of that pull. Keep a strong grip on the wheel and keep your car pointed straight. Once you have some control over your vehicle, maneuver towards the side of the road, being sure to avoid other cars and traffic.
What to do after a tire blowout
After you’ve gotten your car or bike towed to the nearest mechanic, you should call your insurance company to discuss your options. You’ll also want to go ahead and replace the damaged tire with a trusted brand like Michelin motorcycle tires or car tires. If you were injured in the accident, it may also be worth seeing a doctor.
As some neck and spinal pain from car accidents can take a few days or even weeks to manifest, it’s always a good idea to have a check-up so that your health records are up-to-date. Finding a doctor involved in a health information exchange organization can make it easy to access your records if you do end up needing them at a later date.
While frightening, tire blowouts can be managed with the right information. While not all insurance policies will cover a tire blowout, a comprehensive policy will cover the damages caused by a blowout in many cases. If you’re interested in switching your insurance or are curious about what types of damages your policy covers, contact your insurance provider to learn more about your coverage.