Will my insurance cover car wash damage?

Is your car looking a little worse for wear? Maybe all that road salt from our Canadian winters has built up, and it's hard to remember what colour your car used to be. If so, it's probably time for a trip to your local car wash. But what if, instead of coming out shiny and clean, your car comes out with damage it didn’t have before? If that happens, you’re probably wondering whose car insurance would cover the repairs, or if it’s even covered at all. Let’s break it down.

Are car wash damages covered by insurance?

Like many insurance claims, the answer is: it depends. You might be able to get compensation for damage your car sustains at the automatic car wash, but it all comes down to the details.

Car insurance coverage typically covers physical damage from things like accidents, theft, vandalism, or weather. However, it doesn’t cover routine wear and tear. So, unless you can prove the scratches, chips, or other damage were directly caused by the car wash, your insurer may not step in to help.

On top of that, if the car wash made a pre-existing issue—like rusting paint —worse, it’s likely that it would fall under normal wear and tear, meaning it wouldn’t be covered.

Will my insurance cover car wash damage?

Your car insurance would cover car wash damage if you were the one who caused it, like if your foot slipped off the brake while entering and you accidentally hit the wall. However, figuring out if your insurance covers car wash damage comes down to the type of coverage you have.

In most cases, the answer is yes—if you have comprehensive or collision coverage. Both of these coverages may cover various types of damage, including scratches, dents, and broken mirrors. But, as we mentioned, it depends on what caused the damage and whether you can prove the car wash was responsible. Here are some types of insurance that may cover wash damage:

Collision coverage

Collision coverage is an optional form of car insurance that covers accident-related damages caused to your vehicle either by colliding with another vehicle or a stationary object—like the car wash equipment.

Comprehensive coverage

Comprehensive coverage is another type of optional coverage that many Canadian drivers choose to add to their policy. It covers damages to your car that are unrelated to an accident, like fire, water damage, falling objects, theft, and vandalism. Comprehensive coverage can protect you if your car gets damaged at a car wash from things like faulty equipment, dents, or water damage.

What if the damage is the fault of the car wash?

You might be able to get compensation if the car wash owner or staff were negligent. Negligence happens when someone fails to address a known safety risk or hazard they should have taken care of. For car washes, this could mean poorly maintained equipment, untrained staff, or missing instructions on how to properly use the car wash.Below, we will discuss several examples to illustrate different scenarios:

Example scenario #1

Let's say you were going through a touchless car wash, and the arm that sprays water over the car detaches and lands on top of your car. That heavy metal arm would likely leave a significant indent on the top of your car and maybe even shatter some windows. Now, this would be the fault of the car wash business itself, and it's easy to prove, so it would fall under the owner's liability coverage to cover the damages to your car.

Example scenario #2

Let's say a car wash doesn’t provide clear signage explaining how to enter a touchless wash and you, the driver, damage your car by entering the track incorrectly. In this case, again, the car wash business itself could be held responsible and their insurance would have to cover the repairs.

However, if everything was properly set up and you accidentally hit the washing equipment while operating your vehicle, leaving a long scratch or significant dent on your car, then you would be responsible for any damages to both your car and the car wash equipment.

While your mandatory liability car insurance would cover any damage costs for the car wash equipment, you'd need to have optional collision coverage to cover the damages to your car.

Filing a car wash-related claim

Whether you'll want to file a claim for any damage done to your car in a car wash will depend on how bad the damage is and your car insurance deductible.

Both collision and comprehensive coverage come with a deductible, meaning a set amount you have to pay toward a claim before your insurance company covers the rest.

The most common car insurance deductibles are $500 and $1,000. If your deductible is $1,000, and the cost to repair the damage to your vehicle is quoted at $750, then you wouldn't need to file an insurance claim because it's less than what you would have to pay toward the claim anyway.

On the other hand, if your deductible was set at $500 and you were quoted $750 for the damage, you may decide to file a claim to have your insurance company cover the remaining $250.

However, it's important to keep in mind that filing a claim could lead to an insurance premium increase at your next renewal date. So it's important to consider whether it's worth having your insurance company cover that $250 or if you can manage to cover it yourself.

How to prevent car wash damage

Car washes can sometimes cause damage if you’re not careful, but there are a few simple steps you can take to minimize the risk:

Choose a car wash with good reviews

Not all car washes are created equal, so look for one with positive feedback. Good reviews usually mean better-maintained equipment, well-trained staff, and a solid reputation for quality service.

Follow the safety guidelines

Every car wash has its own set of rules to keep things running smoothly and safely. Whether it’s putting your car in neutral, staying off the brakes, or aligning your tires properly, following these instructions can help you avoid accidents.

Fold in your side mirrors

Side mirrors can easily get caught on brushes or other equipment, leading to expensive repairs. Folding them in takes just a second and can save you a lot of trouble.

Check your car for scratches before and after

Take a quick walk around your car before heading in and do the same after you’re done. That way, if any new damage pops up, you’ll know it happened at the car wash.

Learn more with BrokerLink

Accidents can happen when you least expect them, which is why it’s so important to know how your insurance works in different situations. Now that you’re up to speed on how car wash damage might be covered, you might want to learn more about other parts of your car insurance. That's where BrokerLink can help.

Our team of insurance specialists are always ready to answer any car insurance questions you may have, whether it's about what your insurance covers or how to file a claim and even offer tips on how to store a car for winter.

You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.

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FAQs: insurance and car wash damage

What happens if a car wash breaks your mirror?

If your car gets damaged at a car wash and there’s a sign saying they’re not responsible for any damage, you’ll likely need to cover the repairs yourself or file a claim with your insurance. If you can prove the car wash caused the damage—like breaking your side mirror—your claim could fall under your comprehensive coverage.

Do drive-through car washes damage paint?

They can. The soap and cleaning chemicals used in some car washes are often harsh and can gradually wear down your car’s paint and finish over time. While these products are designed to clean effectively, repeated exposure can take a toll on your car’s exterior.

What do you do if your car has a leak?

A lot can go wrong with a car, and one common issue is fluid leaking from your car. If you notice this, the first thing you should always do is take your car to a mechanic—no matter what type of fluid it is. You can also try to figure out what type of fluid is leaking so that you can look up what that type of leak could mean for your car.

If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.