Can you drive a car with airbags deployed?

Airbags are lifesaving devices that can keep a driver and passenger safe when a crash happens. Having these and other safety features in a car also make your car insurance cheaper. After a collision, it can be overwhelming to manage all the things you have to think about. But one of the top questions you might have as a driver is, “Can you drive a car with air bags deployed?”

You may have other questions, like how legal it is to drive with deployed air bags. What about your insurance company? Will your insurer replace the air bags for you or is the car automatically totaled after air bags deploy? Does air bag deployment disable vehicle?

Knowing what is covered is a key part of understanding your car insurance policy. This guide will answer all these questions and more. You don’t have to wait to find quotes from car insurance companies that insure cars after the air bags deploy. With a quick comparison shopping, you can buy car insurance from companies near you that insure when air bags deploy.

Driving a Car With Airbags Deployed

So, can you drive a car with air bags deployed? The simple answer is yes, you can, as long as the car can start. However, the question you should be asking is if it is a good idea to continue to drive after an air bag deployment. After a collision where the air bags deploy, many newer cars will automatically shut off power for safety reasons. A battery cable may need to be reconnected if the car won’t start on its own.

In many cases though, it’s possible to drive the car after air bags deploy. A driver must still be able to access controls, like the wheel, and see the vehicle speedometer, though. The air bag will also need to deflate, which it usually does on its own. It’s possible to cut the air bag out completely.

Usually, though, a collision that’s strong enough to trigger the air bags results in other types of damage to the vehicle. It’s possible that you might not notice or be able to diagnose that damage on your own. The other main reason you probably don’t want to drive a car with air bags deployed is that if another collision happens, you and your passengers won’t be protected.

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Is a car totaled if air bags deploy?

So what happens after air bags deploy? This is an important question, especially as it relates to your car insurance coverage. The answer is no, your car is not automatically totaled. However, there’s a good reason why many people think this is true. In many cases, your insurance company will make a decision based on the cost of replacing air bags after an accident.

Can air bags be replaced? 

Airbags are single-use only, so, once deployed, the old ones must be taken out. The cost of replacement is usually a minimum of $1,000 and can be much more. So air bags are not cheap to replace. And when the car air bags are deployed, there’s usually additional damage to the vehicle too. So if your collision resulted in a broken windshield, severe dents in the body, and more, the conclusion is simple to an insurance company: it’s not worth it to repair.

This is especially true if your vehicle is older. The value of the vehicle goes down as the years go by, so putting new parts in an older car often just doesn’t make sense.

Is it legal to drive a car after air bags deploy?

While federal law says that new cars should be manufactured with air bags, it says nothing about replacing them or driving with them deployed. There are no air bag replacement laws that say you have to get new ones put in your vehicle after a deployment. This is most likely because making air bags mandatory in all vehicles would mean older models without air bags would not be able to be on the road.

Again, even though it may be legal, it doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea. There is a high possibility that your car will not pass a state safety inspection if the air bags are not working. Non-functional air bags could also change the price of your insurance. Since air bags are a safety feature, your insurance company rewards you for having them installed in your vehicle. If your policy terms allow it, a missing air bag could actually make your insurance invalid.

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What are my options if my air bags deploy?

After an accident, your options are restricted if your insurer decides to total the vehicle. However, if your insurance company totals the car, you’ll get the cash value minus your deductible. You’ll still have to pay off any loans that you took to buy the car.

If your insurance company won’t insure the car in its current state, you’ll want to compare car insurance companies that insure cars with blown air bags.

Can You Drive a Car With Airbags Deployed: The Bottom Line

Hopefully, this guide has given you all of the info you need about driving a car with the air bags deployed. Getting a quote is the easiest way to find affordable car insurance companies after your air bags deploy.

Frequently Asked Questions: Can You Drive a Car With Airbags Deployed

If you have more questions about driving a car with air bags deployed, here are the answers to the most popular ones.

#1 – How do I start a car after air bags deploy?

Most newer cars will automatically shut off the engine after an air bag deployment for safety reasons. This sometimes means the battery cable is disconnected, and you should get a professional to reconnect it.

#2 – How to make air bags deploy?

Today’s vehicles are built with pressure and crash sensors that help to detect when a collision has happened. When the sensors detect a collision, they activate the deployment of the corresponding air bags (front, side or head curtain air bags). When the car air bags are deployed, they do it very quickly before passengers come into contact with them.

#3 – Will insurance cover my air bag replacement?

In most cases, your insurance company will cover the cost of replacing deployed air bags. However, there’s a chance that if the replacement is too expensive, the company will consider the vehicle totaled.

#4 – Can a car still be driven after air bags deploy?

Yes, it can, but there are risks. The chief one is that if you get into a collision, you will not have a working air bag to protect you or your passengers.

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