Does Car Insurance Cover Manufacturing Defects?

When you purchase a new or used vehicle from a dealership, you have certain expectations. You expect your car to drive smoothly, be safe and reliable, and remain in good condition for the foreseeable future. But sometimes, things don’t work out as expected, and you end up with a defective vehicle.

Manufacturing defects are issues that arise from errors or flaws in the construction or assembly of a vehicle. It might be an engine problem, a broken transmission, or even a faulty brake. All of these types of issues can have serious consequences if not addressed.

So, if you find yourself in this situation, does car insurance cover manufacturing defects? In this article, we’ll answer this question and go over the steps you can take to address any issues caused by manufacturing defects. Let’s get started!

Does Car Insurance Cover Vehicles with Manufacturing Defects?

Car insurance primarily serves to protect you in the event of accidents, theft, or other unforeseen circumstances that result in damage to your vehicle.

However, it typically does not cover manufacturing defects. This is because manufacturing defects are considered a warranty issue and are the responsibility of the vehicle manufacturer – not the car insurance company.

In other words, if your vehicle has an issue that can be traced back to the manufacturer’s fault, you won’t be able to file a claim with your car insurance provider. You’ll need to turn elsewhere to get the defect(s) resolved.

What Are Your Options for Resolving Manufacturing Defects?

If your vehicle has a manufacturing defect, there are a variety of solutions you can explore to have it addressed:

1. Review Your Warranty

Your first step should be to review the warranty that came with your vehicle. Most warranties cover a certain period of time and/or number of miles for parts, repairs, and labor associated with manufacturing defects.

If the issue falls within the scope of your warranty, you can contact your car’s manufacturer to have it fixed at their expense. This is often the easiest and quickest solution for getting any defects addressed.

2. See If a Recall Has Been Issued

Check if there is a recall for your specific vehicle make and model. Sometimes, manufacturing defects become widespread issues, prompting the manufacturer to issue a recall.

If your vehicle is affected by a recall, the manufacturer is obligated to repair or replace the defective parts free of charge. You can find information about recalls on the manufacturer’s website or through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.

3. Look Into Pursuing a Lemon Law Claim

If none of the above options helps you get your defect issue resolved, you may want to look into filing a California lemon law claim against the manufacturer.

California lemon law protects consumers from being stuck with a defective vehicle and bearing the costs of its repairs. It remedies those who have purchased or leased a car (under warranty) with one or more ongoing defects. These remedies typically come in the form of a lemon buyback or replacement vehicle.

In order to qualify under California lemon law, a vehicle must:

• Be covered under the manufacturer or dealer warranty when the defect or defects were first reported.
• Have a defect that substantially impairs its value, use, or safety.
• Have been subjected to a reasonable number of repair attempts by a manufacturer-certified repair facility.
• Have been out of service for repairs for 30 days or more.
• The defect must not have been caused by accident, abuse, or neglect.

If you believe your vehicle may qualify under the lemon law, consider consulting with a CA lemon lawyer. They will be able to help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim and negotiating a settlement on your behalf.

It’s also wise to keep detailed records of all repair attempts, including dates, repairs performed, cost paid, and any correspondence with the manufacturer or dealer. These records will be invaluable should you decide to pursue a California lemon law claim.

The Wrap Up

As you can see, although car insurance does not always cover the cost of repairs for a defective vehicle, there are other options you can take. The key is to stay informed and familiarize yourself with your rights and protections. Whether that be through your warranty or state lemon laws, it is important to know what you are entitled to when dealing with defective vehicles.

Author Bio: Brian K. Cline’s Lemon Law Legal Group provides premier legal services. Our California lemon law lawyers aggressively and ethically force vehicle manufacturers to buy back defective and dangerous vehicles. Our team includes experienced trial lawyers with over 40 years of combined trial experience.