If you’re insured, chances are you’re paying for more coverage than you’re actually using. Too many drivers shell out hundreds sometimes thousands of dollars for repairs that their auto insurance would have paid for. Whether it’s a cracked windshield, a dented bumper, or damage from a surprise hailstorm, the truth is: you might be paying out of pocket when you don’t have to.
Insurance is meant to protect you from unexpected costs, yet many people avoid filing claims out of fear of premium hikes, confusion about what’s covered, or simply not knowing their rights. But here’s the thing some repairs are absolutely worth claiming, especially when they’re clearly included in your policy.
In this blog, we’ll break down 10 car fixes you should never pay for out of pocket if you have the right coverage. We’ll also explain why these are typically covered and how to make sure you don’t miss out on the benefits you’re already paying for. Let’s help you keep more money in your wallet where it belongs.

Fender Bender Damage

Minor accidents happen to everyonefrom tapping a bumper in a parking lot to getting clipped at a stoplight. While the damage might seem small, the repair costs often aren’t. A simple dented bumper or scratched panel can easily run over $1,000, especially with paint matching and sensor recalibrations involved. The good news? If you have collision coverage, these types of fixes are usually covered minus your deductible.
Collision insurance is designed to pay for damage to your vehicle when you hit another car or object, regardless of who’s at fault. So, if you bump into a pole, get rear-ended, or even misjudge a turn and scrape a concrete barrier, you’re typically covered.
Why People Pay Out of Pocket (and Why You Shouldn’t):
Many drivers choose not to file a claim for small fender benders because they fear premium increases. But if the repair cost significantly exceeds your deductible, it’s usually worth it to file. Plus, not claiming the damage now can hurt you later. If you’re involved in a second accident and your insurer finds pre-existing damage, they may deny part of your future claim.
Also, if the accident involved another driver even if it seems minor you should always go through insurance. There’s no telling if the other party may later file a claim for injuries or hidden damage.
Tip:
Always get a repair estimate before deciding whether to file a claim. If the total is $1,500 and your deductible is $500, you’re still saving $1,000 by using your coverage.

Bottom line: Fender bender damage is one of the most common claims covered under collision insurance, and if the numbers make sense, you should absolutely use it rather than paying from your own pocket.

Windshield Replacement or Repair

A cracked or chipped windshield might seem like a minor annoyance, but it can quickly turn into a major safety issue not to mention a costly repair. What many drivers don’t realize is that auto glass damage is typically covered under comprehensive insurance, and in many cases, it can be fixed with little to no out-of-pocket cost.
Comprehensive coverage pays for non-collision-related damage to your vehicle, including cracked or shattered windshields caused by:

Why You Should Never Pay for This Out of Pocket:
If you have comprehensive insurance, most carriers will fully cover chip repairs without requiring you to pay your deductible. Some even offer mobile repair services that come to your home or office, making it quick and convenient to fix small chips before they spread.
If the windshield needs to be replaced entirely, you may be required to pay your deductible but in many states, insurers are required by law to waive the deductible for windshield replacement. Florida, Kentucky, and South Carolina, for example, have zero-deductible glass replacement laws for drivers with comprehensive coverage.
Tip:
Don’t wait to repair small chips; they can often be repaired for free, and once they spread, a full replacement (with a deductible) may be needed.

Document the damage as soon as it occurs, especially if it’s related to hail or road debris.

A damaged windshield affects visibility and safety, and your insurance is specifically designed to help you fix it fast and affordably. If you’re covered, there’s no reason to pay out of pocket especially when you can file a simple claim and have it repaired or replaced with minimal hassle.

Vandalism Repairs

Waking up to find your car keyed, a window shattered, or your side mirrors broken off is not only frustrating, it’s expensive. What many people don’t realize is that vandalism is typically covered under your comprehensive auto insurance, and these repairs should rarely be paid for out of pocket if you’re insured.
Vandalism includes intentional damage caused by someone else, such as:

Why You Should File a Claim:
Vandalism often leads to multiple areas of damage, especially if the entire side of your vehicle was scratched or several windows were broken. These repairs can easily cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars depending on the severity. If your deductible is $500 and the total repair costs come to $1,200 or more, it makes financial sense to let your insurance cover the bulk of the cost.
Plus, if the culprit is unknown, your insurer doesn’t need someone to blame in order to pay the claim. Vandalism claims are based on the incident and damage, not on catching the person responsible.
What You’ll Need:
A police report: Most insurers require this for vandalism claims. File it immediately after discovering the damage.

Photos of the damage: Take clear, timestamped pictures from multiple angles.

Estimate from a repair shop: This helps the adjuster understand the cost of restoring your vehicle.

Tip:
If multiple cars in your area were vandalized, mention this to the police and your insurer it can strengthen your claim and speed up approval.

Don’t eat the cost of damage you didn’t cause. If someone targets your car, your comprehensive coverage is there to protect you. Vandalism is exactly the kind of situation insurance is made for so use it.

Animal Collision Damage

Hitting an animal on the road is more common than people think, especially in rural or wooded areas. Whether it’s a deer, raccoon, or even a stray dog, the damage from an animal collision can be severe and expensive. The good news? If you have comprehensive coverage, your insurance should cover the repair costs and this is one situation you should never pay for out of pocket.
What’s Typically Covered:

Animal collisions are specifically covered under the comprehensive part of your policy not collision coverage even though the name might be misleading. So if a deer darts in front of you and you can’t avoid it, your comprehensive policy kicks in.
Why You Should File a Claim:
The damage from hitting an animal often goes beyond cosmetics. Sensors, cameras, and even cooling systems may be affected. These hidden issues can easily push repair costs over $2,000 or more. Paying that out of pocket doesn’t make sense when your policy is designed to handle these scenarios.
In most cases, the deductible is your only cost, and filing a claim for animal-related damage typically won’t affect your rates the same way an at-fault accident would.
What You’ll Need:
Photos of the damage (and the animal, if safely possible)

A police report if the insurer requests one (some do, some don’t)

A detailed repair shop estimate

Tip:
Check your policy’s deductible before filing. If the damage is just above your deductible, weigh the claim carefully but for anything over $1,000, it’s usually worth it.

Don’t make the mistake of footing the bill for a wild encounter. Animal collisions are clearly covered under comprehensive insurance, and filing a claim can save you thousands in unexpected repair bills.

Hail and Weather-Related Damage

Hailstorms, heavy winds, falling branches, flash floods when it comes to extreme weather, your car is always at risk. But here’s the good news: if you have comprehensive coverage, your auto insurance should cover most, if not all, of the repair costs. That means you should never pay out of pocket for weather-related damage that your policy is specifically designed to handle.
What’s Commonly Covered:

Why You Should File a Claim:
Weather-related damage is not your fault and insurers treat it differently than at-fault collisions. That means it’s unlikely to cause a major rate hike the way an accident might. If the damage is significant (hail dents all over the body, a shattered windshield, or internal water damage), you’ll save hundreds or thousands by using your coverage.
Hail damage alone can cost $1,000–$5,000 to fix, depending on the size and number of dents. And water damage? That can lead to electrical issues, mold, and interior repair bills that far exceed the cost of your deductible.
What to Do After Storm Damage:
Take photos and videos of the damage right away

Write down the date and time of the weather event

If possible, get a news report or weather alert screenshot to support your claim

File a claim as soon as it’s safe to do so insurance companies get flooded after storms, so being early helps

Tip:
Even if your car looks drivable, get a professional inspection. Some damage (like water intrusion or hail impact on sensors) isn’t visible right away.

Weather is unpredictable, but your coverage is not. If your car took a hit from Mother Nature, you shouldn’t be reaching for your wallet, you should be reaching for your policy. That’s what it’s there for.

Last Thoughts: Paying Out of Pocket? Think Again

If you’re paying for auto insurance, there’s no reason to pay out of pocket for repairs that your policy is designed to cover. From cracked windshields and hail dents to animal collisions and acts of vandalism, these are situations where your comprehensive or collision coverage can (and should) step in saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Too often, drivers skip claims because they’re unsure what’s covered or afraid of rate hikes. But the reality is, many of these repairs won’t affect your premiums the same way an at-fault accident would. And when the damage is tied to weather, theft, or other non-collision events, your insurer expects you to use the coverage you’ve already paid for.