Does Car Insurance Cover Flat Tires?
Yes, car insurance can cover a flat tire—but it depends on how it got flat and the coverages you have

Yes, car insurance can cover a flat tire—but it depends on how it got flat and the coverages you have
You shouldn’t expect your car insurance company to cover tire damage that’s the result of a manufacturing defect, aging, or normal wear and tear, but that doesn’t mean a flat tire would never be covered. If your tire is damaged or flattened because your car was vandalized, comprehensive coverage would help cover the costs to repair or replace your tires, and if it’s the result of an accident, you could use collision coverage to file a claim.
Here’s more about how your car insurance can cover flat tires.
The kind of car insurance coverage that applies for a flat tire really depends on your situation. Here’s a quick look at how different types of coverage are used for a flat tire:
Roadside assistance helps if you find yourself with a flat tire and unable to repair or replace it on the spot. It provides assistance, such as fitting your vehicle’s spare tire or towing your car to a nearby repair shop if you don’t have a spare on-hand. You’ll usually be capped 10 to 15 miles for towing, so it’s always smart to keep a spare tire and be prepared to pay some extra for a tow if you’re in a remote area.
Collision coverage kicks in if your tires are damaged from incidents like hitting a pothole or driving over debris. You’ll get reimbursement for repairs or replacements, but you’ll need to pay your deductible before the coverage applies. (Collision deductibles are usually between $500 to $1,000.)
If your tires are damaged by vandalism or theft—for instance, being slashed or punctured—comprehensive coverage would cover the claim. Once you meet your deductible, usually between $100 to $1,000, this coverage handles the replacement costs.
Dealing with a flat tire is never fun, but knowing when your car insurance covers it can make the situation less stressful. Coverage depends on how the flat happened and your policy. Here’s a quick breakdown of scenarios where your insurance might help.
Yes, roadside assistance can help if you get a flat tire, whether you’re driving or parked. Most plans cover tire changes, so a technician will come to you, take off the flat, and swap it out with your spare.
Some roadside assistance services can help patch up your tire, depending on the damage. If it’s something small, like a nail or screw puncture, a technician might be able to temporarily seal the hole so you can make it to a repair shop for a permanent fix. But keep in mind, this can vary by provider, and bigger issues—like a large puncture or a sidewall tear—usually means you’ll need a tire replacement.
Yes, roadside assistance usually covers towing if your tire can’t be fixed or replaced on the spot. If your spare tire isn’t available, is damaged, or doesn’t work, the technician can help get your car towed to the nearest repair shop.Imagine this: You’re on a road trip, and suddenly a tire blowout leaves you stuck. No worries—your roadside assistance can tow your car to a repair shop so you can handle the tire replacement. Just remember, most plans have limits on how far they’ll tow you, usually around 10 to 15 miles. It’s worth checking your policy to see how far they’ll go before you need to pay out-of-pocket for the additional miles.
Yes, collision coverage helps cover the cost of repairs or replacement if your car, including the tires, rims, or wheels, gets damaged from hitting another vehicle or object—no matter who’s at fault.Let’s say you happen to rear-end another car and the impact causes one or more of your tires to go flat or get shredded, your collision insurance can help cover the cost of replacing them—after you pay your deductible.
Yes, potholes are considered a road hazard, so damage like a punctured tire or a bent rim usually falls under the definition of a collision.Say you hit a big pothole on a poorly maintained street, and it blows out your tire. In that case, collision insurance could help cover the replacement. Just keep in mind that the repair costs need to be higher than your deductible for your policy to reimburse you.
Yes, comprehensive coverage takes care of losses from vandalism, theft, and other non-accident events—like if someone slashes your tires.Picture this: you head to your car after work and discover someone deliberately punctured your tires in the parking lot. With a comprehensive policy, you’d likely be covered for the repair or replacement costs after paying your deductible. It’s important to note, when it comes to filing a claim you’ll probably need to document the damage and file a police report as proof.
Yep, comprehensive coverage generally covers tire damage caused by natural events such as hailstorms, flooding, or wildfires.If you leave your car parked outside during a nasty hailstorm and the hail damages your tire sidewalls, your comprehensive insurance could cover the replacement. Same goes for situations like flash flooding—if debris pops one of your tires, it’s usually covered too. You’d just need to pay your deductible first, and your insurer takes care of the rest.
Car insurance can be helpful in many situations, but it doesn’t always cover flat tire damage. Since insurance is designed for unexpected things, routine wear and tear or preventable damage usually aren’t included. Let’s take a look at some common scenarios where car insurance won’t cover the cost of a flat tire:
In the best-case scenario, your tire pressure light activating may just mean a quick stop at the gas station to refill your tires. However, if you’re dealing with a flat tire, you don’t want to mess around.
Follow these simple tips to address a flat tire safely and efficiently while you’re driving:
At Lemonade, we’ve made it easy for you to contact us and get help. Just make sure you have an active Lemonade Car policy that includes roadside assistance on your car, and have our app downloaded on your phone.
If you find yourself stranded with a flat–or any other maintenance issue requiring towing– head over to the Car tab on the Lemonade app and tap the ‘Roadside Assistance’ button. Our chatbot, AI Jim, will help you quickly navigate the process from there. Once you submit your request, we’ll send the cavalry.
Flat tires are a hassle, but understanding what your car insurance covers can help you stay prepared. Whether it’s adding collision or comprehensive coverage, or leveraging roadside assistance through Lemonade, you have options to manage tire damage without breaking the bank.
Ready to upgrade your car insurance? Get a quote with Lemonade and customize your policy today.
If you’re worried about flat tires from wear, tear, or defects, a tire warranty can be a good idea. It covers issues car insurance won’t, like manufacturing flaws or early wear.
Flat tires from weather issues like extreme heat, cold, or snow are generally not covered. These are considered maintenance issues, so you’re responsible for replacing or fixing the tire yourself.
Roadside assistance typically doesn’t pay for a new tire, but it will help with services like putting on your spare or towing your car to a repair shop. You’re responsible for purchasing the replacement tire yourself. Lemonade’s roadside assistance offers support when you need it most, whether it’s towing your car to a repair shop or changing a flat tire—provided you have a spare on hand.
Fixing a flat tire usually costs between $20 and $50, depending on things like how bad the damage is and whether you’re patching or plugging it. Other factors, like the type of tire, where you are, and who’s doing the repair, can also impact the price. If the damage is more serious—like a big puncture or a tear in the sidewall—you might need a full replacement, which can cost a lot more.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage and discounts may not be available in all states.
Please note: Lemonade articles and other editorial content are meant for educational purposes only, and should not be relied upon instead of professional legal, insurance or financial advice. The content of these educational articles does not alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of policies issued by Lemonade, which differ according to your state of residence. While we regularly review previously published content to ensure it is accurate and up-to-date, there may be instances in which legal conditions or policy details have changed since publication. Any hypothetical examples used in Lemonade editorial content are purely expositional. Hypothetical examples do not alter or bind Lemonade to any application of your insurance policy to the particular facts and circumstances of any actual claim.