Progressive pays for tire damage only when it’s part of a covered loss, such as a collision, vandalism or theft, and you carry the coverage that applies. Progressive’s guide to tire damage says “a flat tire itself isn’t covered unless it results from a covered loss,” and that worn tires and nail punctures usually aren’t claimable.
If you have Progressive’s roadside assistance, a technician can put your spare on, but it won’t buy you a new tire. When a claim does apply, your deductible comes off the top, and a single damaged tire may cost less than the deductible.
Key Takeaways
- Collision may pay for tires damaged in a crash or by hitting a curb, and comprehensive may pay for slashed or stolen tires, after your deductible.
- Progressive’s pothole page says collision “in general” pays for pothole damage to tires and rims. Its 2016 policy forms filed in Nevada and Maine also exclude damage “due and confined to” wear and tear or “road damage to tires,” so a tire-only pothole claim depends on your policy.
- Progressive’s optional roadside assistance mounts your spare at no cost if you have one. The 2016 forms exclude “tire repair” and the cost of parts, so you pay to patch or replace the tire.
- Progressive’s list of auto coverages doesn’t include a tire and wheel protection plan. Road hazard plans come from tire shops and dealers.
When Progressive Pays for Tire Damage
Progressive says car insurance “may help cover tire damage if it’s caused by a covered event.” Both coverages below are optional unless a lender or lessor requires them.
Collision Coverage
Progressive’s 2016 Nevada and Maine policy forms define collision as “the upset of a vehicle or its impact with another vehicle or object.” Its tire guide says that if your tires are damaged “after hitting another car, striking a curb, or driving into a pothole,” collision may help pay to repair or replace them. Progressive’s page on hitting a curb adds that collision applies no matter who was at fault.
Comprehensive Coverage
Comprehensive covers loss “not caused by collision,” and the same forms list “theft or larceny” among those losses. Progressive’s vandalism page says vandalism includes “slashed tires,” and its tire guide says “the number of slashed tires doesn’t matter” if you have comprehensive.
If you’re unsure which of the two you carry, RateFrog’s guide to collision vs. comprehensive coverage explains what each one pays for.
When Progressive Won’t Pay for the Tire
Progressive’s tire guide names three common situations that usually aren’t covered: wear (“bald tires, dry rot, slow leaks, or tread wear”), road hazards (“nails, screws, or similar road hazards”) and a flat tire on its own.
The policy contract says it in tighter language. Progressive’s 2016 auto policy forms on file with the Nevada Division of Insurance and the Maine Bureau of Insurance (Form 9611D, January 2016 and September 2016 editions) exclude damage “due and confined to” wear and tear, freezing, mechanical breakdown or “road damage to tires.” The exclusion doesn’t apply if the damage results from the theft of a vehicle. Forms vary by state and edition, and the one on your policy may be newer.
Potholes are where the two sources pull in different directions. Progressive’s pothole page says that “in general, collision coverage will pay for rim damage, as well as damage to your tires, caused by a pothole,” and its tire guide lists driving into a pothole as a collision event. The 2016 forms don’t mention potholes or define “road damage to tires,” so they don’t settle how the exclusion applies when a pothole damages only the tire. The pothole page adds that coverage is subject to the terms of the actual policy. Before you count on a tire-only pothole claim being paid or denied, check your own policy or ask Progressive.
Common Tire Damage Scenarios
Based on Progressive’s help pages and its 2016 Nevada and Maine policy forms. Each coverage pays only if it’s on your policy, and your state’s current form and the claim facts decide the outcome.
| Scenario | Coverage that may apply, if you carry it | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pothole blows out a tire, no other damage | Collision, possibly | Progressive’s pothole page says collision generally pays, but the 2016 forms exclude road damage confined to tires |
| Pothole damages the tire and bends the wheel | Collision | Deductible applies; comprehensive doesn’t cover potholes |
| Nail or screw puncture | Usually none | Roadside, if on your policy, can mount your spare |
| Slashed tires | Comprehensive | Deductible applies; file a police report |
| Wheels and tires stolen | Comprehensive | Aftermarket wheels may need added CPE coverage |
| Tires damaged in a crash | Collision | Applies regardless of fault; deductible applies |
| Worn tread or dry rot | None | Treated as maintenance |
What Roadside Assistance Does With a Flat
Progressive’s roadside assistance page says a technician “can put the spare tire on your vehicle at the scene for no cost as long as you can provide a spare.” It also says “you’re responsible for the cost of any parts and/or repairs” and limits on-scene labor to one hour. The 2016 policy forms also exclude “tire repair,” so patching a puncture isn’t covered either. RateFrog’s guide to what Progressive roadside assistance covers goes through towing, lockouts and the service limits.
Your Deductible and Tire Wear Shape the Payout
Progressive pays collision and comprehensive claims “minus your deductible.” The 2016 policy forms also allow “an adjustment” for “betterment or depreciation and physical condition” on tires, so a half-worn tire may not be paid at the price of a new one.
Hypothetical example: someone slashes two of your tires, and replacing them costs $400. With a $500 comprehensive deductible, the claim pays nothing. With a $250 deductible, it pays up to $150, possibly less after a wear adjustment.
A higher deductible generally lowers your premium but means small claims like this one pay little or nothing. RateFrog’s guide to car insurance deductibles covers how to pick one, and its article on paying for repairs out of pocket helps you decide whether a borderline claim is worth filing.
Custom Wheels and Tire Protection Plans
Progressive’s tire guide says auto insurance “doesn’t include tire warranties, specialized tire insurance, or tire protection plans.” Its coverage options page doesn’t list a tire and wheel product either. Progressive Vehicle Protection, its repair add-on, lists engine, transmission, electronics, dents and keys. Tires and wheels aren’t among the covered items, and the page names tire rotations as maintenance you pay for.
If you’ve added aftermarket wheels, Progressive says custom parts and equipment (CPE) coverage can pay for items like “custom wheels” and “typically has a $5,000 limit.” That figure is a ceiling you buy up to, not what every policy includes. The 2016 Nevada and Maine forms cap custom parts at $1,000 unless you purchase additional CPE coverage, so check the CPE amount on your declarations page.
Tire shops and dealers sell road hazard plans that may cover punctures and blowouts. Progressive suggests comparing the plan’s cost with the coverage. A plan is easier to justify on expensive low-profile tires than on inexpensive ones you could replace from savings. You can browse more coverage questions on RateFrog’s Progressive car insurance guides page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the City Pay for Pothole Damage to My Tires?
Sometimes. Progressive says “the city may be responsible” if the pothole is on a city street, but “the reimbursement process can be lengthy” and “not all jurisdictions provide compensation.” Check your city or state highway agency’s claim rules and deadlines.
What If a Blowout Causes an Accident?
Crash damage, such as a dented fender or bent wheel, can fall under collision if you carry it. Progressive doesn’t publish how it treats the blown tire itself, especially one that failed from wear, so ask the adjuster.
How Does Progressive Compare With GEICO on Flat Tires?
For roadside help, they work much the same way. GEICO’s roadside service page says it will install a working spare, and “the cost of the tire itself is not covered.” RateFrog covers the details in does GEICO cover flat tires.
Sources
- Progressive: Does Car Insurance Cover Tire Damage?
- Progressive: Does Insurance Cover Pothole Damage?
- Progressive: Does Car Insurance Cover Damage From Hitting a Curb?
- Progressive: Does Car Insurance Cover Vandalism?
- Progressive: Roadside Assistance
- Progressive: Car Insurance Coverages
- Progressive: Progressive Vehicle Protection
- Nevada Division of Insurance: Progressive Auto Policy Form 9611D NV (PDF)
- Maine Bureau of Insurance: Progressive Auto Policy Form 9611D ME (PDF)
- GEICO: Emergency Road Service