When you’re reviewing your insurance policy , you might come across the term "wear and tear". This often leads to confusion, as many people believe their insurance covers every type of damage their property or equipment experiences. However, when it comes to things like auto , home , or business insurance , understanding the limitations around wear and tear is crucial.

At Riseson Insurance , serving Tempe , Phoenix , Scottsdale , Tucson , Gilbert , and Chandler , we want to help you understand what wear and tear is, why it’s excluded from most policies, and how you can protect yourself from it.

Wear and tear refer to the gradual deterioration or damage that occurs to your property or equipment over time due to normal use. Unlike accidental damage or sudden events, wear and tear is predictable and inevitable. Examples include:

Deteriorating tires on your car from regular driving Fading paint on your home due to sun exposure Worn-out appliances or machinery in your business from constant use Fraying carpets or furniture in your home after years of use

While this kind of damage is normal, it typically isn’t covered by most standard insurance policies, including auto , home , and commercial property insurance.

Insurance is designed to cover unexpected damage or losses, not the regular decline of property value due to daily use. For example, if your car is damaged in an accident , your auto insurance will cover it, but if your vehicle simply breaks down due to the age of the engine or mileage, that would be considered wear and tear and would generally not be covered.

While you can’t avoid wear and tear altogether, there are ways to minimize its impact and safeguard your assets:

Regular maintenance is one of the best ways to extend the life of your property. Keeping up with routine check-ups and repairs on your car, home, and business equipment can help prevent minor issues from turning into bigger, costly problems.

For your car, make sure to get regular oil changes and tire rotations. For your home, keep up with roof inspections, plumbing checks, and HVAC maintenance. For your business, maintain your equipment and machinery to avoid costly downtime.

Consider investing in extended warranties or service plans for your appliances, machinery, or vehicles. These plans often cover repairs or replacements due to wear and tear, offering peace of mind that your business or home won’t face unexpected costs.

In business insurance, you can sometimes add maintenance coverage to your policy to cover equipment breakdowns due to wear and tear. This can be a great option for businesses that rely on machinery, computers, or other critical tools for daily operations.

Keep in mind that insurance will usually account for depreciation when settling claims. If your property is worn out or aged, its value has likely decreased, and your payout may reflect that.

While wear and tear may not be covered, other types of damage are. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s typically covered in different insurance policies:

Auto Insurance : Accidents, vandalism , theft , natural disasters (but not wear on tires, brakes, etc.) Homeowners Insurance : Fire , theft, vandalism, storm damage (but not regular damage to floors or appliances) Business Insurance: Equipment breakdowns from accidents, theft, or natural events (but not from routine usage)

Understanding the limitations of your insurance policy is important to making sure you’re properly protected. At Riseson Insurance, we help people and businesses across Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tucson, Gilbert, and Chandler find coverage that fits their needs, whether it’s for wear and tear concerns or protection against sudden accidents.

Call us at 602-460-5470 today to review your coverage and get a customized quote.

What is Wear and Tear?

Why Is Wear and Tear Excluded from Insurance Coverage?

How to Protect Yourself from Wear and Tear

1. Home and Auto Maintenance

2. Extended Warranties and Service Plans

3. Maintenance Endorsements in Business Insurance

4. Depreciation Considerations

What Does Insurance Cover?

Get the Right Protection for Your Needs

• Deteriorating tires on your car from regular driving
• Fading paint on your home due to sun exposure
• Worn-out appliances or machinery in your business from constant use
• Fraying carpets or furniture in your home after years of use

• For your car, make sure to get regular oil changes and tire rotations.
• For your home, keep up with roof inspections, plumbing checks, and HVAC maintenance.
• For your business, maintain your equipment and machinery to avoid costly downtime.

• Auto Insurance : Accidents, vandalism , theft , natural disasters (but not wear on tires, brakes, etc.)
• Homeowners Insurance : Fire , theft, vandalism, storm damage (but not regular damage to floors or appliances)
• Business Insurance: Equipment breakdowns from accidents, theft, or natural events (but not from routine usage)