Full coverage car insurance protects you and your vehicle in many situations, from fender benders and fallen tree branches to vandalism and theft.But there are a surprising number of things most basic policies won't cover, like personal items in your car, roadside assistance, custom parts and collisions outside the U.S.Here are 13 scenarios not covered by standard auto insurance and how you can ensure you're protected.Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability.Not even full coverage will reimburse you for an oil change, tire rotation or getting new air filters. But you can often get a prepaid maintenance plan or a set period of mileage from your dealership, garage or a third-party provider.It won't cover all the necessary tuneup work, but, by and large, you'll get a better rate and know in advance how much routine care will cost. Some plans are transferable if you sell your vehicle.Standard car insurance won't cover damage caused by routine wear and tear. So, If your brake pads wear out or the transmission gives up the ghost, you're out of luck.A mechanical breakdown policy, however, will cover parts and labor for repairs to the engine, transmission, drive axle, suspension, steering, brakes, HVAC and other systems. One of the best in the business, Good Sam's Extended Service Plan is available for cars up to 15 model years old or with up to 100,000 miles on them.You can generally let someone else drive your car without them being on your policy. This is for infrequent use, though, like a neighbor going on a one-off grocery run.
Typically, though, any licensed driver who lives with you — whether that's a spouse, a roommate or your teenage son — needs to be on your policy or they're excluded from coverage. If they use your car and cause an accident, any damages won't be covered.Roadside assistance is a lifesaver if you run out of gas, get a flat tire or hit a snow bank. But most car insurance companies charge extra for it.
Lemonade auto insurance comes with free nationwide roadside assistance, however, including towing, winching, jump starts, tire changes and lockout services. You can even initiate a request and get real-time progress from your mobile app.No matter what state you live in, your car insurance is valid across the U.S. Once you cross the border, however, it's a different story. Many providers extend coverage into Canada, but Geico is one of only a few that offers liability coverage in Mexico that is comparable to what you'd have at home.Read ourGeico Auto Insurance review.Dairyland issues policies in 38 states, but only California drivers get automatic coverage within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border.If you're a driver for Uber, Lyft or DoorDash, your vehicle is only covered when you have a fare. A ridesharing endorsement from Progressive ensures you're protected when you're on the clock but haven't picked up a customer yet.Read ourProgressive Auto Insurance review.If your personal automobile pulls double-duty as a work vehicle, you might need commercial auto insurance, which covers business use. BiBerk has some of the cheapest rates in the industry and offers free certificates of insurance instantly.Depending on the issue, the garage's schedule and the availability of parts, car repairs can take days or even weeks to complete. Standard car insurance won't pay for a loaner car, but with a full coverage policy from Allstate, you can add a rental car reimbursement benefit and be covered for $30 a day for up to 30 days.Most auto insurance policies only cover up to $1,000 for modifications, which is barely enough for high-end rims. State Farm has supplemental parts and equipment coverage that pays for custom paint jobs, stereos, lift kits, spoilers and other upgrades and aftermarket parts.If you have a collectible ride, you'll need classic car insurance, which has stringent storage requirements and mileage limits but pays out based on a predetermined value. Available nationwide, American Collectors Insurance's Freedom Tier policy offers higher liability limits and more options for deductibles, plus up to $250 to relocate your car during a natural disaster.If your four-legged friend is riding with you when you're in an accident, most car insurance companies won't cover their veterinary bills.Pet insurance can help soften the financial blow. Accident and illness policies from Figo are affordable with generous limits. Customers can customize coverage with preventive care and exam fees and Costco members may be eligible for a discount.Damages caused by racing, joyriding or off-roading aren't covered by standard insurance, though Hagerty provides affordable off-track coverage for race cars, dragsters and race motorcycles.If you're held liable for an accident, your insurer will only pay out to your liability limit. Anything above that comes out of your pocket, so, to protect your assets in a lawsuit, it's recommended to have liability coverage equal to or greater than your net worth. If you have a particularly high net worth, an umbrella insurance policy from American Family can ensure your assets are protected. American Family also has generous discounts, including bundling home and auto insurance.Your car starts depreciating the moment you drive it off the lot. If you get into an accident that totals your vehicle, your insurer may not cut you a check big enough to cover the balance on your car loan or lease.Gap insurance covers the difference and, while you can often get a policy from the dealership, rates from insurance providers are typically the most affordable.Nationwide has gap insurance for cars up to six years old, twice what most companies will cover.
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