How Regular Car Maintenance Can Prevent Auto Claims
While the risk of a car accident has most to do with factors such as how you drive and the road conditions, the condition of your car can also play a role.
Staying on top of your car’s routine maintenance and preventive care is one of the easiest ways to keep yourself safe, reduce the risk of accidents and keep your insurance costs down.
The connection between vehicle maintenance and car insurance
Busy lives make it all too easy to overlook basic maintenance tasks like oil changes or tire rotations. But staying on top of those tasks can play a big role in keeping you – and everyone around you – safe on the road. When maintenance is neglected, small issues can quickly become serious safety hazards. For example:
- Worn-out brake pads or bald tires can make it harder to handle your vehicle when roads are slick, increasing the chances of getting into an accident.
- Critically low fluid levels could cause the car to stall, perhaps in a dangerously vulnerable location.
- Broken headlights and brake lights reduce your visibility and make it harder for other drivers to see you, increasing the risk of a collision.
Both putting off routine maintenance and neglecting to address small repairs in a timely manner could increase your odds of getting into an accident. If that happens and you need to file a claim, your premiums may go up.
Taking care of your vehicle isn't just about performance – it's about protection. Routine maintenance helps reduce the likelihood of problems on the road and supports safer driving conditions for everyone.
What maintenance does a car need?
While specific maintenance needs will vary by your car make, model and environmental elements (such as heat, humidity and icy roads) your car is exposed to, there are some basic tasks that all cars need:
Tire care
Your tires affect how well your car performs and how smooth your ride is. Check your tire pressure monthly to make sure your tires are properly inflated, and check the tire tread depth to monitor wear. If the tires seem to run low on air often or the tread depth declines, you may need to replace them to avoid a potentially dangerous blowout.
Additionally, tire rotations are generally recommended every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. Rotating your tires ensures that they’ll wear evenly over time.
Brake inspections
Your car’s brakes play a crucial role in vehicle safety. To make sure your brake system is always in optimal condition, listen for squeaking or squealing sounds when you brake. This can indicate that your brake pads may need to be replaced, so you should schedule a brake inspection promptly.
Fluid checks and oil changes
Fluids such as engine oil, which keeps the engine lubricated, and coolant, which regulates the car’s temperature, are essential to keep your car running. Neglecting to check fluid levels regularly or skipping oil changes can lead to mechanical failures or breakdowns.
Windshield wipers and headlights
Rain and snow can impair your visibility. Deteriorated windshield wipers or burned-out lights can make inclement weather more dangerous and increase the likelihood of an accident. What’s more, it’s harder for other drivers to see you if your lights aren’t working, which also puts you at risk of collisions.
Luckily, replacing windshield wipers and headlight bulbs are relatively easy car maintenance tasks. In general, you can expect to replace windshield wipers every six to 12 months, and headlights, taillights and brake lights may have to be replaced every one to two years.
How regular maintenance can save you money on car insurance
When an insurance company issues a new auto insurance policy, it looks at the customer’s driving record and claims history. If you have a record of past at-fault accidents, you may pay a higher rate for insurance coverage.
By keeping your car in excellent shape, you'll help reduce the risk that you’ll have to file a claim because of an accident. A history of no claims may also make you eligible for accident-free or safe driver discounts. These discounts can reduce your premiums, helping you save money.
Tips for staying on top of car maintenance
A hectic schedule can make keeping track of car maintenance tricky. But, these tips can help you keep on schedule:
Create a calendar
Depending on how you prefer to manage your time and reminders, consider using a digital calendar or a paper planner to remind yourself when your vehicle will be due for service. If you manage your schedule with pen and paper, circle dates that correspond to service intervals, such as every three months for an oil change.
If you use a digital calendar, you can create alerts or automate reminders throughout the year so you know when it’s time to make a service appointment.
Stick to a schedule
To keep your car in the best possible condition, follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule. If you don’t have your car’s manual handy, you can usually download a maintenance schedule from the manufacturer’s website. Or, you can search Edmunds’ database for your car’s maintenance guide.
Keep records
When you take your car in for service, hold onto receipts and service records. If you don’t want to worry about keeping track of paper documents, use your camera to take photos of receipts and printouts, or use a scanner to digitize them.
Find a reliable mechanic
A reliable mechanic is key to keeping your car running. Ask your friends, co-workers or family members for recommendations; word of mouth can be a valuable resource! You can also use the Auto Repair Assistance tool to find reputable repair shops near you.
Learn basic car maintenance
Learning how to do basic tasks, such as checking tire pressure, replacing windshield wipers or checking your oil can help you save money and protect your vehicle. Many community colleges have basic car maintenance courses you can take, or you can complete an online course to learn some of the simple tasks.
Regular car maintenance isn’t just about extending the life of your vehicle – it’s a proactive step toward protecting yourself, your passengers and others on the road. Think of maintenance as an investment in your safety and financial well-being, one that pays off every time you hit the road.
This story was created in partnership with Money.com.
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