Does My Insurance Policy Cover Car Battery Replacement? Possibly, It Depends on the Reason

Car insurance generally does not cover car battery replacement if your battery dies due to age or wear and tear. However, certain types of auto insurance coverage may pay for you to replace your battery if it is damaged due to a covered event like theft or a collision. In addition, you can purchase extra coverage to receive roadside assistance if your battery dies.

Keep reading to learn when insurance would cover your car battery and whether it’s worth filing an insurance claim when you need a replacement.

On This Page

• 

  Does Insurance Cover Car Battery Replacement?

• 

  How Does Insurance Work With Car Battery Replacement?

• 

  Is a Stolen Car Battery Covered By Car Insurance?

• 

  Are Dead Batteries Covered By Car Insurance?

• 

  How Much Is Car Battery Replacement Without Insurance?

• 

  Will My Roadside Assistance Plan Help With Car Battery Replacement?

• 

  FAQs

Does Insurance Cover Car Battery Replacement?

There is no specific type of car insurance for battery replacement, but it could fall under one of your coverage types depending on how the battery died or was lost. In general, car insurance will only help you pay for a new car battery after it was damaged or destroyed by a sudden and unexpected accident but not for old age or wear and tear.

Below is an overview of some common car insurance types and when they might kick in to help you replace your car battery.

How Does Insurance Work With Car Battery Replacement?

Even if your car battery is damaged during an event covered by your insurance policy, your insurer will only pay for costs exceeding your deductible. The deductible is the minimum amount of money you agree to pay for covered losses before your insurance company will start chipping in.

For example, if it would take $100 to replace your car battery after a crash you caused, there would be no purpose in filing an insurance claim on a policy with a $500 deductible for collision coverage. As a result, you will generally have to pay for a new car battery out of pocket unless it is part of a larger claim after an unexpected accident that damages multiple parts of your vehicle.

Is a Stolen Car Battery Covered By Car Insurance?

Your car insurance will cover a stolen car battery as long as you have comprehensive coverage. Car theft is one of the perils covered by comprehensive insurance and it includes the theft of individual parts of cars, such as batteries and catalytic converters.

Although you aren’t required by law to purchase comprehensive coverage, your lender will likely require you to have it if you are financing or leasing your car. Nearly 80% of insured drivers in 2019 had comprehensive insurance.^[1] As a result, it is more likely than not that stolen car battery replacement coverage will be included in your policy and your insurer will reimburse you if the claim costs exceed your deductible.

What if My Battery Wasn’t Damaged in an Accident?

Comprehensive insurance could also cover your car battery replacement after other non-accident perils, including fire, hail and vandalism. In general, comprehensive coverage accounts for damage done to your car by any force outside of your control. Conversely, you would need collision insurance to cover damage to your battery from a car accident with another driver or if you strike an object, like a tree or highway guardrail.

Are Dead Batteries Covered By Car Insurance?

Your car insurance will not pay to replace a car battery that died due to predictable factors like age or wear and tear because getting a new battery in these cases is considered part of the routine maintenance that owning a car requires.

You can typically expect a car battery to last three to five years, although it could deteriorate more quickly due to heat and excessive vibration.^[2] Your insurer won’t chip in for a replacement if your car battery has simply run its natural course. In addition, your insurance policy won’t cover the replacement if your car battery dies due to a careless mistake on your part such as leaving your lights on all night.

You may be able to cover your car battery by purchasing a warranty through your dealership, though this is not technically part of your insurance. While your battery is under warranty, your dealership could replace it for free if it dies within a certain time frame or before you have driven a certain number of miles.

How Much Is Car Battery Replacement Without Insurance?

For most vehicles, a car battery replacement could cost as little as $45 and as much as $250 if you are paying out of pocket.^[3] However, batteries for electric vehicles are much more expensive. For example, the cost of a car battery replacement for a Tesla Model S ranges from $13,000 to $20,000.^[4]

Exact prices will vary based on factors like the age, brand, power, size, type and specifications of the battery. In addition, the cost will be influenced by whether or not you have a warranty that covers the battery.

Will My Roadside Assistance Plan Help With Car Battery Replacement?

A roadside assistance plan will not help you pay for a car battery replacement, but it can still provide support if your car dies while you’re driving.

If you have roadside assistance coverage, you may be able to get a free battery jumpstart or tow, which can at the very least allow you to get back on the road and on the way to the nearest auto shop.

Roadside assistance is an optional car insurance add-on that can provide emergency services even if your battery hasn’t died. Other useful perks of this endorsement can include fuel delivery, tire replacement, on-site repairs and locksmithing services. In addition, it is possible to purchase a roadside assistance plan that is separate from your insurance policy.

How Much Does Roadside Assistance Cost?

There are different types of roadside assistance plans with different costs. In some cases, individual companies will offer multiple types of plans that you can choose from. For example, Allstate’s various roadside plans for a single car can range from $25 to $185 per year.

• Policy endorsements: Your insurance company may let you add a roadside assistance plan to your existing policy for a fairly low price. For example, Allstate offers roadside assistance as an insurance add-on with a starting premium of $25 per car.^[5]
• Membership plans: Joining an auto club or other insurance membership plan can grant you access to roadside assistance and other perks. The cost of membership will depend on your location and the number of benefits included in your plan. Prices for an Allstate membership plan range from $100 to $185 per year and are available even if you don’t have an insurance policy with Allstate.^[5]
• Pay-per-use services: As the name suggests, pay-per-use roadside assistance plans require you to pay for individual services rather than paying an annual rate to receive access to multiple services. Even if you don’t have Allstate insurance, Allstate can offer you a five-mile tow for $119, tire changes for $84 and a jumpstart or fuel delivery for $79.^[5]