Does my auto insurance cover damage to my own car if I am at fault in an accident?
If your car was recently damaged because of a bad decision, you may wonder whether auto insurance covers damage to your car if you are at fault in an accident. The type of insurance that covers you in an at-fault accident is called collision auto insurance. Here’s how it works.
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Insurance and Finance Writer
Maria Hanson grew up with a unique passion and understanding of both the automotive and insurance industries. With one grandfather in auto mechanics and another working in insurance, you could say automotive insurance is in her blood. Her love of research and finance serves her well in studying insurance trends and liability. Maria has expanded her scope of expertise to home, health, and life i...
Maria Hanson
Licensed Insurance Agent
Jimmy McMillan is an entrepreneur and the founder of HeartLifeInsurance.com, an independent insurance brokerage. His company specializes in insurance for people with heart problems. He knows personally how difficult it is to secure health and life insurance after a heart attack. Jimmy is a licensed insurance agent from coast to coast who has been featured on ValientCEO and the podcast Modern Li...
Jimmy McMillan
Updated February 2025
When two parties get into a car accident, one party is often more at fault than the other. The at-fault party’s insurance is typically responsible for paying healthcare and repair costs for the other party. However, if you’re at fault in an accident, your car probably also suffered damage.
Does auto insurance cover damage to your car if you are self- inflicted in an accident? How do auto insurance claims work, and can you make one for these kinds of repairs? Our article will cover the major topics to help you know whether you’re covered.
- Collision insurance will cover your repairs if you are at fault in a collision
- You will need to pay your collision deductible before the coverage begins
- Claims will be denied if you damaged your car on purpose or were committing a crime
How Auto Insurance Covers Damages to Your Own Car If You’re at Fault in an Accident
Common auto insurance comes with two important types of coverage, comprehensive and collision. In this case, collision insurance plays an important role. Collision coverage helps pay for damages to your vehicle.
It covers most types of damages your car can encounter during accidents – from running into another vehicle to crashing against a tree or post.
Collision insurance isn’t usually affected by whether or not you, as a driver, were at fault in an accident. It simply applies when your car suffers damage. In this case, it would still cover your repairs even if you caused the accident.
However, collision insurance does require a deductible that you’ll have to pay before it starts covering repairs: Look at how auto insurance companies pay out claims for more details.
The deductible is typically around a few hundred dollars. Also, if you are found at fault in an accident, your car insurance premiums will increase.
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How Fault is Determined in an Accident
What happens if fault can’t be determined after a car accident? Fault isn’t always clear, but claims adjusters investigate evidence, including photos, police reports, vehicle damage, witness testimony, and more, to conclude.
If you are in a self- inflicted accident where you believe you weren’t entirely at fault, it’s important to document the accident ASAP with photos that you can present to your insurance company.
Read more: Can I get auto insurance for a self-driving car?
What to Do If You’re in an Accident
First, stop your vehicle away from traffic if possible and make sure everyone in your car is safe. Then, contact emergency services if anyone is hurt.
Next, contact the police to report the accident and wait for them to arrive. Not only is this usually required for disruptive accidents, but if you do not wait for the police, you could be charged with a crime like a hit-and-run.
While you wait, document the scene by taking photos of the vehicles and crash site from multiple angles. Note the license plates and model of the other car, too. If the other party is available, exchange your insurance and contact information.
When finished, call your insurance company and report the accident to get the claim process started. Call as soon as possible after dealing with other aspects of the accident.
Why Your Auto Insurance May Not Cover Damage to Your Own Car If You Are Fault in an Accident
Sometimes, collision insurance will deny you any coverage in an at-fault collision. That may happen if:
- You broke the law when the accident happened, such as driving without a license or under the influence.
- You damaged the car on purpose.
If this is the case, you may pay for repairs to your vehicle out of pocket.
Read more: Does auto insurance cover hitting my own car?
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Final Thoughts on Auto Insurance Covering Damage to Your Car When You’re at Fault in an Accident
Good news: Most auto insurance policies will help if you damage your car, even if you’re at fault. Remember that different auto policies offer different types of collision insurance – and for different amounts.
If you aren’t sure what your collision coverage looks like, you can look it up on your auto policy and find how much it pays, your auto insurance deductible, and other important information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does at-fault insurance vary by state?
Your collision cover should still cover damages to your vehicle no matter what state you live in. However, some states are “no-fault” states, which means that both parties’ insurance applies equally to covering related damages.
Does “own damage” coverage help in these situations?
Own damage is a broad term for insurance that applies to vehicle damage from unforeseen circumstances. While it’s a common phrase in some nations, own damage isn’t used in American auto insurance. Instead, collision insurance helps cover damage to vehicles in accidents.
What about self-inflicted damage to my car without another car involved?
As long as you didn’t damage the car on purpose, collision insurance should still help cover repairs.
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