Services
Insurance
Loans
Repairs
Advice
About

Can you drive without rwd shocks?

I was in a small accident the other day. My car slid off the road and over a bump. The car seems mostly fine but the mechanic said that my rear shock absorber is broken. I don’t know what that is and I don’t have the money to fix it right now. Can I drive my car without rwd shocks?

avatar
Patrick Price · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
I hope you’re alright! Technically, you can drive without working rwd shocks, but you really shouldn’t. Your control and braking ability will be reduced.
A shock absorber is exactly what it sounds like: it’s essentially a metal spring that absorbs unwanted movement and impact to give you a smoother ride and reduce stress on your car.
Without working rear shock absorbers you will not be able to control your vehicle as well. Your brakes will also not be as responsive. Driving without shocks could result in lasting damage to the other components in your car that are under increased strain. Not to mention the jerky and bumpy ride would be rather unpleasant.
It would be best to arrange other means of transportation until you can afford to have the shocks repaired.
You might also consider contacting your
car insurance
company. If the damage resulted from an accident, there’s a good chance they’ll cover the cost of repair. If not, you may want to reconsider which insurance policy you use.
Download the
Jerry
app to find the best coverage for the lowest rates in as little as 45 seconds.
View full answer 
WHY YOU CAN TRUST JERRY
Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

Join 4M+ members in lowering their car insurance

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings