Will insurance cover a car with a recall?
Yes, insurers will generally cover a vehicle that has an active recall. Recalls for a discovered safety or mechanical defect are usually issued by the car manufacturer or by a third-party such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Your auto insurance typically won't pay for repairs due to a recall since the car manufacturer is usually responsible for fixing the vehicle.
Explore Progressive Answers' auto editorial guidelines to find out why you can trust the car insurance information you find here.
How car recalls impact insurance
If you take care of the repair needed right away, it shouldn't affect your coverage. Getting the recall fixed without delay will help prevent any potential accident that might result from the defect.
However, if you don't fix the issue, you may run the risk of causing an accident (depending on the severity of the defect). Causing an accident means you may be financially responsible for any resulting injuries or property damage.
Can I still drive my car if it has a recall?
You can drive it, depending on what the manufacturer advises. The safest bet is to take your car to your local authorized dealer or a trusted mechanic.
What happens if my car is recalled and can't be fixed?
According to Consumer Reports, auto manufacturers must issue a recall soon after they identify a safety defect, even without an available fix. That means recalls begin while a solution is still in the works. Consumer Reports recommends checking the severity of the recall. Some may be for minor compliance issues, others for serious ones, such as brake failures.
Unless the manufacturer says not to use your vehicle, Consumer Reports says you can drive it but be attentive. They also recommend:
- Contacting your local authorized dealer
- Contacting the manufacturer for more information
- Seeing if the dealership will repurchase the vehicle
- Contacting an attorney if none of the above leads to a solution
You may be able to find more information about recalls through NHTSA. You can enter your VIN on their website to check the status of recalls.
Should you buy a car with an open recall?
Dealerships can't sell new cars with open recalls, and automakers are typically required to fix recall issues for vehicles up to 10 years old. So if you're buying a new car from a dealer, an open recall shouldn't be an issue because the dealer must resolve any issues before selling the car.
However, dealerships may be allowed to sell used vehicles with open recalls, depending on the state. If you're buying a car with a recall from a private seller or dealership, you should research the recall and find out if the vehicle was fixed. If the seller has not repaired the recall issue, it's a good idea to resolve it as soon as possible after the transaction is complete.
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