Car insurance can cover repair costs, but not in every situation. It depends on the level of cover you have and the reason the damage occurred.

Car insurance is designed for accidents or other unexpected events, not for general upkeep and maintenance. Read more about when repairs will be covered, when you’ll need to pay yourself, and what type of car insurance covers repairs.

How your policy affects repair cover

Repairs to someone else’s car

All insurance policies include “third-party cover”. This means if you’re in an accident and you cause damage to someone else’s vehicle or property, your insurance will pay for repairs.

Exact terms depend on the insurer and policy wording, but this is the minimum level of cover in the UK.

Repairs to your own car

Comprehensive insurance Fully comprehensive car insurance covers repairs to your own car after an accident. This can include damage caused by collisions, vandalism, fire, or severe weather, as long as the cause is covered under the policy.

Typically the repairs are managed through the insurer’s claims process: an excess applies, and the insurer arranges repairs using one of their approved garages.

Third party, fire and theft This level of cover protects you if you damage someone else’s vehicle or property. It may also cover repairs to your car if it is damaged by fire or as a result of theft or attempted theft. Damage caused by a collision is not normally included.

Third party only Third party only insurance does not pay for repairs to your own car. Its purpose is to cover damage or injury you cause to other cars and vehicles, not to protect your own car or van.

At Marshmallow, all our policies are fully comprehensive. So repairs to your car are covered. See what’s included and pick the right plan for you.

When will repairs be paid for?

Repair payments can take weeks to process. First, your insurer will have to:

• Approve your claim
• Make an assessment of the damage and repairs needed
• Make sure you’ve paid your excess

This can take around two to six weeks for major repairs. The payment is made either directly to the garage, or to you as a "cash in lieu" (CIL) payment to arrange repairs yourself.

At Marshmallow, we use a network of approved repairers.

An insurer is more likely to approve repairs when the damage:

• Was caused by something covered under the policy
• Is reported in line with the insurer’s claims process
• Costs less than the vehicle’s overall value

If repair costs are more than the vehicle is worth, the insurer may decide not to repair the car and treat it as a total loss instead. Find out what happens if your car cannot be repaired.

Situations where repairs are not covered

Even with comprehensive insurance, some repair costs fall outside cover. Common examples include:

• Mechanical faults or engine failure
• Wear and tear, such as worn brakes or tyres
• Gradual damage, including rust
• Problems caused by poor repairs or manufacturing defects

Insurance is intended to deal with sudden damage, not ongoing upkeep.

Using an approved repairer

Many insurers ask policyholders to use a garage from their approved network. This helps control costs and usually comes with a repair guarantee.

Choosing your own garage may be possible, but the insurer might cap what they are willing to pay.

Checking this before authorising work can prevent delays.

Will repairs affect your no claims discount?

Making a claim for repairs can affect your no claims discount, unless it’s protected. This is one reason some drivers choose to pay for minor repairs themselves, particularly if the cost is close to their excess amount.

Summary

Car insurance can help with repair costs, but only when the damage falls within the limits of your policy. The type of cover you hold, the cause of the damage, and how the claim is handled all play a part in whether repairs are paid for.

Taking time to understand what your policy includes can make it easier to decide when to claim and when it may be better to handle repairs yourself.

Looking for car insurance that covers repair costs? Get a free quote with Marshmallow today.