Are Your Vehicle’s Airbags Covered By Insurance?

Airbags are an essential safety feature in vehicles and have saved countless lives since their introduction in the 1970s. They are designed to deploy in the event of a collision, providing a cushion to protect occupants from serious injuries. Despite their importance, many people are unsure about whether their car insurance covers airbags. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the topic of airbags and car insurance, covering what airbags are, how they work, and whether your insurance covers them. We will also explore the different types of insurance policies available and which ones will provide the most protection for your airbags. This information may help you be better equipped to make informed decisions about your car insurance and ensure that you and your vehicle are protected in the event of an accident.

What are Airbags?

Airbags are inflatable bags that are designed to deploy in the event of a collision. They are located in various strategic parts of a vehicle, including the steering wheel, dashboard, and seats. When a crash occurs, sensors in the vehicle detect the impact and send a signal to the airbag control module, which then deploys the airbags. The bags filled with air in a fraction of a second, providing a cushion to help protect the occupants of the vehicle. Airbags are designed to deploy at a specific time during a collision. The timing is calculated to provide the maximum amount of protection to the occupants of the vehicle. For example, the airbags in the steering wheel and dashboard will deploy first, followed by the side airbags and curtain airbags.

Does Your Insurance Cover Airbags?

The short answer is yes, most insurance policies will cover airbags. However, the specifics will vary depending on the type of insurance you have. It's important to understand that your airbags are considered part of your vehicle, and as such, they will be covered under your vehicle insurance policy.

Which Insurance Types Cover Airbags?

There are two main types of insurance – third-party insurance and comprehensive insurance.

1. Third-Party Insurance

Third-party insurance is, legally, the minimum level of coverage required. It covers the costs of any damage or injury you may cause to someone else. However, it does not include coverage for any damage to your vehicle. Because airbags are considered part of your vehicle, they are not covered under third-party insurance. It is important to note that if you cause an accident and someone else's airbags deploy, their insurance company might cover the cost of replacing their airbags.

2. Comprehensive Insurance

Comprehensive car insurance is a more holistic type of car insurance that covers not only damage to other people's vehicles and their injuries, but also damage to your own vehicle and yourself. This type of insurance will cover the airbags of your car if they are damaged in an accident. Comprehensive insurance provides more protection than third-party insurance and will cover the cost of replacing your airbags, as well as any other damage to your vehicle.

Which Type of Comprehensive Insurance Would Cover Airbags?

Comprehensive insurance would cover damage to airbags that have occurred during an accident or collision, regardless of whether you were at fault or not. Some comprehensive insurance policies may have specific exclusions, such as wear and tear or damage caused by natural disasters, so it's important to check with your insurance provider to understand the exact coverage offered by your policy. * Another important point to consider is that if your vehicle is involved in an accident and the airbags deploy, they will need to be replaced. This can be a costly process, as replacing each airbag can add up to become a large expense. Hence, it is important to have comprehensive insurance, as it will cover the cost of replacing your airbags in the event of a car insurance claim. * It's also worth noting that airbags are considered safety equipment and are required by law. More specifically, it is mandatory in India to have dual front airbags. Additionally, there has been a push to make 6 airbags per car mandatory in the country. If your vehicle is involved in an accident and the airbags do not deploy, it can lead to hefty fines and penalties. This is another reason why it's important to have comprehensive insurance, as it will cover the cost of replacing your airbags if they are damaged in an accident. Hence, you should ensure that you do your car insurance renewal online on time. *

Conclusion

Airbags are an important safety feature in vehicles, and they are typically covered by insurance. However, the specifics will vary depending on the type of insurance you have. If you're unsure about whether or not your insurance covers airbags, it's best to speak with your insurance provider to get more information. It's always a good idea to have a comprehensive insurance policy for your vehicle, as it will provide the most protection and cover the cost of replacing your airbags if they are damaged in an accident. It is also important to note that airbags are required by law, and if they don't deploy in an accident, it can lead to hefty fines and penalties.   *Standard T&C apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.