What is the three-tire insurance rule? (2024)
The three-tire insurance rule says auto insurance won't cover replacement if you only slash three tires. However, that is false. Comprehensive coverage, averaging $12/mo, pays out even if only three tires were slashed. We'll overview why slashing three tires, not four, doesn't negate your coverage.
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Tim Bain
Licensed Insurance Agent
Tim Bain is a licensed insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with the best insurance coverage to meet their needs. His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada.
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UPDATED: Feb 14, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Feb 14, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Even if only three tires were slashed, comprehensive insurance will cover it
- Slashing three tires vs. four won’t make a difference to insurers
- Ensure that you park in well-lit areas to avoid vandalism to your vehicle
The three-tire insurance rule is a common misconception that claims auto insurance won’t pay for damages if only three tires are slashed. That simply is not true.
There are several types of auto insurance coverage available, and you need specific coverage for tires. You’ll need to have comprehensive coverage added to your car insurance to handle any type of vandalism, including slashed tires.
Read More: How many tires does auto insurance cover?
Before you purchase auto insurance that covers slashed tires, shop around to find the best deal. You can compare free quotes now from auto insurance companies that offer comprehensive coverage by entering your ZIP code above.
Three-Tire Insurance Rule
If you want to vandalize a car, why do you only slash three tires instead of four? Why won’t insurance cover three slashed tires?
According to the three-tire rule, auto insurance won't pay for damages for slashing three tires and not four, but this isn't true. Comprehensive coverage will pay out for three slashed tires, though the cost of repairs could be lower than your deductible. So, always get an estimate before filing a claim.Schimri Yoyo Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor
However, your liability-only coverage won’t pay for any damage to tires. You need more than merely basic coverage to be fully protected.
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Comprehensive Coverage Pays Out Even if You Only Slash Three Tires
There is a popular misconception that auto insurance will only cover slashed tires if a certain number are damaged. So, why don’t you slash all four tires?
If you have the correct coverage, auto insurance will cover any number of slashed tires. You’ll need to add comprehensive auto insurance coverage to your auto insurance for slashed tire protection.
Does insurance cover tires slashed by road debris, spikes, or a vandal? Yes, but you will need to have collision and comprehensive coverage in place.
What is the difference between collision and comprehensive auto insurance?
Collision auto insurance covers damages to your vehicle from an accident that you caused. For example, if you are in an accident and your tire is damaged, your collision coverage would pay to replace it.
Comprehensive insurance covers damages to your vehicle that are not the result of an accident, such as fire, theft, and vandalism. Slashed tires are considered vandalism, so comprehensive coverage would kick in.
You should note that insurance won’t pay for normal wear and tear of your tires or cover flat tires. If you have roadside assistance, that service will cover changing a flat tire or towing your car to a repair facility.
Read More: Does auto insurance cover tires?
Comprehensive Auto Insurance Cost
Does Geico pay out if someone slashsed three tires and not four? What about State Farm or Progressive? The answer is yes if you have comprehensive coverage.
Read More:
This table displays average rates of comprehensive coverage by state. You can see that adding the coverage is not very costly and will give you peace of mind.
State | Rates |
---|---|
Alabama | $12 |
Alaska | $12 |
Arizona | $15 |
Arkansas | $15 |
California | $8 |
Colorado | $13 |
Connecticut | $11 |
Delaware | $9 |
District of Columbia | $19 |
Florida | $9 |
Georgia | $13 |
Hawaii | $8 |
Idaho | $9 |
Illinois | $10 |
Indiana | $10 |
Iowa | $14 |
Kansas | $19 |
Kentucky | $11 |
Louisiana | $17 |
Maine | $8 |
Maryland | $12 |
Massachusetts | $11 |
Michigan | $12 |
Minnesota | $14 |
Mississippi | $16 |
Missouri | $14 |
Montana | $17 |
Nebraska | $17 |
Nevada | $10 |
New Hampshire | $9 |
New Jersey | $10 |
New Mexico | $14 |
New York | $13 |
North Carolina | $10 |
North Dakota | $19 |
Ohio | $9 |
Oklahoma | $17 |
Oregon | $7 |
Pennsylvania | $11 |
Rhode Island | $10 |
South Carolina | $14 |
South Dakota | $19 |
Tennessee | $11 |
Texas | $16 |
Utah | $9 |
Vermont | $10 |
Virginia | $11 |
Washington | $9 |
West Virginia | $16 |
Wisconsin | $11 |
Wyoming | $19 |
U.S. Average | $12 |
Even though comprehensive insurance can help replace your tires, there are a few things that you should know.
First, you will still have to pay the deductible on your comprehensive coverage. Depending on how high your deductible is and the cost of tires, it may not save you any money to file an insurance claim.
Second, your insurance will only pay to replace your tires in a comparable condition. This means that if your tires are older, insurance won’t pay for a brand new set. They take into consideration the age and mileage on your tires when paying the claim.
Next, filing an insurance claim can raise your rates for years. Between the auto insurance deductible and the rate increase, it may be less expensive if you pay for the new tires yourself.
It’s also important to note that if you have custom wheels, your typical comprehensive insurance won’t cover them. You need to add custom parts and equipment coverage to your policy.
Whether or not you file an insurance claim, you should still file a police report. This way the damages are documented and the person responsible may have to pay for repairs.
How to Avoid Slashed Tires
While you can’t control random acts of vandalism, there are ways you can protect your vehicle and save yourself money and headaches.
Here are a few ways that you can prevent slashed tires:
- Park in well-lit areas
- Install security cameras on your property
- Install a car alarm
- Park in a garage if available
There are no guarantees that you can prevent someone from vandalizing your car, but you can do everything possible to make it more resistant to vandalism.
Read More: Does auto insurance cover vandalism?
Be sure to have comprehensive coverage in place just in case. Adding the coverage is inexpensive and can help cover unexpected costs.
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More About Three Tires Slashed Insurance Coverage
There is no truth to the three-tire rule which claims that auto insurance won’t pay for tires if you only slash three. However, you do need to have comprehensive coverage in place if someone slashes your tires.
Comprehensive coverage is relatively inexpensive and covers many scenarios, including fire, theft, vandalism, and natural disasters.
Insurance covers your car in the event of an accident, but what about vandalism or bad weather?😱That's where comprehensive coverage comes in! At https://t.co/27f1xf131D, we want to help you decide if this coverage add-on is worth it! Learn more here👉: https://t.co/ii0sdamcEp pic.twitter.com/BSMBfTAaIx
— AutoInsurance.org (@AutoInsurance) May 31, 2023
Ways that you can avoid having your tires slashed include parking in well-lit areas, adding a car alarm, and adding security cameras to your property.
It’s also important to have the correct auto insurance coverage in place if your tires are slashed. In order to find the best auto insurance that includes comprehensive coverage, enter your ZIP code now.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the three-tire insurance rule?
The three-tire rule is a misconception that claims auto insurance won’t cover damages if only three tires are slashed. However, this is not true.
Is it true that insurance won’t cover three slashed tires?
No, this isn’t true. If you have comprehensive coverage, auto insurance will cover any number of slashed tires, whether it be three or four.
Will insurance pay if your tires get slashed?
Yes, auto insurance can cover slashed tires if you have the appropriate coverage. You will need to add comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance policy to protect against vandalism, including slashed tires.
What is the difference between collision and comprehensive auto insurance?
Collision auto insurance covers damages to your vehicle caused by an accident you are at fault for. On the other hand, comprehensive insurance covers damages to your vehicle that are not the result of an accident, such as vandalism, theft, and fire. Slashed tires are considered vandalism, so comprehensive coverage would apply.
How much does comprehensive auto insurance cost?
The cost of comprehensive auto insurance varies depending on factors such as your location, driving history, and the value of your vehicle. Adding comprehensive coverage is generally affordable and provides peace of mind.
Will insurance cover all four slashed tires?
Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage, auto insurance will cover any number of slashed tires. There is no limit on the number of tires covered.
What should I do if someone slashes three of my tires?
Firstly, you should contact police and file a report. Then, you should get an estimate to see how much it would cost to replace your tires. If the estimate is higher than your deductible, you should consider filing a claim.
What does comprehensive insurance cover?
Comprehensive coverage pays for damages caused by non-collision events, such as fire, weather, theft, vandalism, or windshield damage.
Does USAA cover tire damage?
USAA will pay out for tire damage if you have comprehensive insurance.
Why are tires not covered by insurance?
Normal wear and tear of your tires isn’t covered by insurance. However, if someone slashes three or all four of your tires, comprehensive insurance pays out since it’s considered vandalism.
Free Auto Insurance Comparison
Enter your ZIP code below to view companies that have cheap auto insurance rates.
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Tim Bain
Licensed Insurance Agent
Tim Bain is a licensed insurance agent with 23 years of experience helping people protect their families and businesses with the best insurance coverage to meet their needs. His insurance expertise has been featured in several publications, including Investopedia and eFinancial. He also does digital marking and analysis for KPS/3, a communications and marking firm located in Nevada.
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.