Will Car Insurance Cover Scratches on Your Vehicle?

Getting scratches or dents on your car can be upsetting, especially if your vehicle is new or you take pride in keeping it looking pristine. While minor scratches may seem like an inconvenience, deeper scratches, paint damage, and large dents can require costly repairs. This raises the question – will car insurance cover the cost if your car gets scratched?

The answer is, it depends. Whether or not auto insurance will pay for scratch repairs depends on several factors:

• The coverage you have
• What caused the scratch
• The severity of the damage
• Your deductible amount

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about filing a claim for scratched vehicles, including:

• Key types of coverages that can cover repairs
• What perils commonly cause scratches
• Steps for filing a successful scratch claim
• Tips to avoid out-of-pocket repair costs
• Answering frequently asked questions

Understanding the intricacies of your policy and coverage for scratches allows you to make informed decisions if damage occurs.

Will Car Insurance Cover Scratches? What to Know

There are a few key points to understand about whether your auto insurance policy will pay for scratch repairs:

• Comprehensive and collision coverages pay for damage: These optional coverages cover repair costs if your vehicle is damaged in an accident or by various perils.

• The cause matters: The scratch must be from a covered peril, like vandalism, hail, or a collision for comprehensive and collision to apply.

• Your deductible comes first: You pay your deductible amount before coverage kicks in for repairs.

• Minor damage may not be worth claiming: If the scratches are minor and a repair costs less than your deductible, paying out of pocket can avoid premium hikes.

• Liability coverage pays for damage you cause: If you scratch another vehicle, liability insurance pays for the repair costs you are responsible for.

Next, we’ll look at common causes of scratches and explain how coverage responds in each scenario.

Scratch Causes and Related Coverages

Different types of auto insurance coverage come into play depending on what caused the scratch damage. Here are some of the most common causes of vehicle scratches and whether they are covered:

Car Accidents

Coverage: Collision

If your car is damaged in an accident, collision coverage will pay for repairs including any scratches to your vehicle from the crash, regardless of fault.

You’ll need to pay your collision deductible first. For serious scratches from a major accident, the repair costs will likely exceed your deductible making a claim worthwhile.

Vandalism or Hit-and-Run

Coverage: Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage pays for damage from non-collision perils, including vandalism. So if a vandal keys your car or a hit-and-run driver sideswipes you, resulting in deep scratches, comprehensive will cover the repairs minus your deductible.

Storm Damage

Coverage: Comprehensive

Hail storms often lead to small dings and scratches on vehicle exteriors. If a major hail storm causes extensive scratch damage, comprehensive insurance will pay for professional repairs after you meet your deductible.

Flying Debris

Coverage: Comprehensive

Comprehensive covers damage from flying objects, meaning if gravel from a truck bed or storm debris strikes your car and scratches the paint, you can file a comprehensive claim subject to your deductible.

Regular Wear and Tear

Coverage: Not covered

Minor scratches from normal wear and tear over time, like brushing against branches or scrapes from car washes, will not be covered since they aren’t caused by sudden accidents or damage from specific perils.

How to File a Successful Car Insurance Claim for Scratches

If your vehicle is seriously scratched due to a covered event like an accident or vandalism, here are some tips for filing a claim:

• Report it promptly – Notify your insurer as soon as possible after the damage occurs. Delayed claims raise red flags for insurers.

• Take photos – Document the scratch damage with clear photos from multiple angles before having any repairs done. This provides proof for your claim.

• Get a repair estimate – Have a mechanic evaluate the scratch damage and provide a written repair estimate to submit with your claim.

• Provide details – Give your insurer a complete written statement detailing how the damage occurred. Proof like a police report can support your statement.

• Keep copies – Retain copies of all documents related to the claim like repair estimates, photos, and correspondence with the insurer. This creates a paper trail.

By following these steps, you give your insurer all the details necessary to process your scratch claim smoothly.

Avoiding Out-of-Pocket Costs for Minor Scratches

Since both comprehensive and collision come with deductibles, you can end up paying hundreds of dollars out of pocket for minor scratches before coverage kicks in.

Here are some tips to avoid high deductible costs if you just have minor scratch damage:

• Determine the repair cost – Have the scratch professionally assessed to see if fixing it costs more than your deductible. If not, paying out of pocket can save money and avoid a claim.

• Consider your rates – Filing a claim can increase your premiums. For minor damage, rate hikes may end up costing you more than just paying for repairs yourself.

• Increase your deductible – Choosing a higher deductible like $1000 or $2000 when you buy a policy makes you responsible for more upfront costs but lowers your monthly premiums.

• Keep your car detailed – Waxing and using paint sealants can help prevent scratches in the first place. Touch up paints can also help cover very minor scratches.

• Park carefully – Be cautious parking around curbs, trees, and cart corrals that could scratch your vehicle to avoid damage.

Answering Common Questions about Scratch Claims

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about filing scratch damage claims with auto insurance:

Can I get scratched paint fixed without going through insurance?

Yes, you can pay for minor scratch repairs out-of-pocket without filing an insurance claim. Larger scratches extending through the clearcoat into the paint require professional repairs which can be expensive without insurance.

Will my rates go up if I file a scratch claim?

It’s possible your premiums may increase, especially if you file multiple claims in a short period or the scratch was due to your own negligence. But one claim for non-fault damage may minimally impact your rates or not affect them at all.

What if I don’t know what caused the scratch?

Insurers require you to provide details on what caused damage for a claim. If the source of a scratch is truly unknown, and it wasn’t from an accident, your comprehensive insurer may deny the claim.

Can I get a rental car if my vehicle is being repaired for scratches?

Yes, most insurers will provide rental car coverage under your policy if your own car is inoperable due to repairs from a covered claim. There may be limits on the rental duration and fees.

What if I don’t have comprehensive or collision coverage?

Without these coverages, you’d have to pay for any repairs due to damage like scratches out of pocket, unless another driver was at fault and their liability insurance covered it.

The Bottom Line

Scratches and dents to your vehicle can happen anytime despite your best efforts to avoid damage. Comprehensive and collision insurance provide valuable protection by covering repairs for damage from covered events and accidents.

Understanding the coverages, limitations, and claims process allows you to make smart financial decisions if your vehicle gets scratched. Checking your deductible amount when buying a policy also ensures you choose coverage that provides protection without significant out-of-pocket costs.