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Typically, people will mainly focus on what to do when their vehicle’s exterior is damaged in an auto accident. However, drivers should also consider what to do when there is interior damage to their vehicles. Since vehicle interiors are more forgotten than the exterior, caring for the interior may not be as well known.
There are many different ways a vehicle’s interior can be damaged, including sun damage, weather, regular wear-and-tear, and even car accidents. Let’s take a look at how to repair these damages as well as avoid them in the future.
Auto Insurance Coverage for Interior Damage
In most cases, auto insurance will cover any interior damage done to your vehicle, whether the cause was auto negligence, a natural disaster, or a collision.
However, it greatly depends on the kind of coverage you have as well as how the damage was caused. For example, if you have collision coverage and your car’s interior was damaged in a collision, your insurance will cover these damages.
Comprehensive coverage, also known as “other than collision” coverage, should also cover any interior damage to your vehicle. This coverage is for situations when your vehicle is damaged in an incident that isn’t a car accident.
So, for example, if your car’s vehicle was damaged by the environment (such as a tree branch falling on your car and puncturing your seats) it would be covered under comprehensive coverage.
Full coverage, which is a combination of collision and comprehensive insurance, would cover any interior damage as well (as long as the reason for the damage falls under the reasons listed above).
To sum it all up, your insurance company’s duty is to repair your vehicle up to its pre-loss condition, as long as the car was damaged in a covered incident. Here are other causes for interior damage and how they would be covered:
- Pet damage: In most cases, comprehensive coverage should cover this, but it depends on the type of damage. In this case, you’d need to talk to your insurance agent to learn more about the coverage.
- Vandalism: Damage caused by vandalism would be covered with comprehensive coverage, but not ordinary liability insurance or a collision insurance plan.
- Water damage: If the interior of your vehicle experienced water damage due to a flood, it would be covered by a comprehensive policy. However, if it was damaged by a leak, it could be covered (unless the leak was caused by poor maintenance).
Ultimately, comprehensive coverage is your best option if you want to ensure that any interior damage will be covered.
Interior Damage After Car Accidents
Naturally, the exterior of the vehicle will take the brunt of the damage whenever you’re in a car accident. But that doesn’t mean your vehicle’s interior will be unscathed. A car’s airbags, seat belts, interior panels, and seats are at all risk of damage during an accident.
Some vehicle interiors, such as one with leather seats, will be difficult to repair on your own and should be repaired by a professional. Other interiors, like vinyl seating, can be repaired on your own with special products.
Reupholstering your vehicle is something that can be done by yourself if you have a lot of experience with vehicles, but hiring a professional is the best option. When it comes to interior damage to seats, if the damage is that significant, involving a professional is the best option.
Staying Prepared for Interior Damage With a Specialized Kit
When it comes to most interior damage, whether it be to your dashboard or seats, there are kits as well as guides available online that make repairing these damages on your own much easier.
For example, a product called Heat N’ Bond is great for repairing minor holes in your vehicle’s upholstery. It essentially allows the users of the product to “glue” a piece of fabric similar to their vehicle’s seat to cover the hole. It’s important to test if your seat can handle heat before using this product, or you’ll cause more damage.
Protecting Your Vehicle’s Interior
Auto insurance will only cover damages that are caused by nature or accidents, not spills or natural wear-and-tear, so it’s important to take care of your vehicle’s interior.
If you want to protect your vehicle’s interior for both aesthetic and practical purposes, buying seat covers for your car can help protect your seats while also showing off some personality. Plus, it’s much cheaper, in the long run, to replace a damaged seat cover as opposed to re-upholstering the seats.
Floor Mats and Window Tinting
Floor mats are also a good idea along with seat covers. The floor mats will protect your vehicle from mud, snow, or any other environmental element as well as make it easier to clean up spills.
For sun damage, you should invest in window tinting or a windshield shade. This is especially true if you have leather seats, which are more easily damaged by the sun. Tinting your windows is also great because it will keep your car cooler in the warmer months.
The last thing that people may not consider when it comes to car maintenance is consistently cleaning the interior. Cleaning up spills or other accidents as soon as you can is important for preventing interior damage. You should also use specialized products to clean your vehicle’s dashboard.
More Interior Cleaning Tips
You can never be too prepared to clean and repair your car’s interior as you never know what may happen on (and off) the road. Accidents often happen within the first few minutes of driving, so you should always be ready, even on short trips.
Here are some other cleaning tips:
- Clean your dashboard and trim with an interior detailer and protectant.
- Keep your leather seats conditioned.
- Scrub your mats with baking soda and soapy water.
- Use dish soap on light stains.
- Use toothpaste on tougher stains such as coffee or marker stains.
- Vacuum your vehicle regularly.
- Wipe your windows with glass-care products.
It will also be useful to have an emergency kit in your trunk. You should put a first-aid kit in it as well as cleaning supplies such as rags, paper towels, dish soap, window cleaner, and more. This kit will help you in a pinch, whether you had a sudden spill or your pet’s muddy pawprints have gone all over the place.
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Luke Williams writes and researches for the auto insurance comparison site, 4AutoInsuranceQuote.com. His passions include best practices for insurance as well as interior car design and repair.
