You’ve probably asked yourself, “does auto insurance cover scratches on my vehicle?” The short answer is yes.
However, for the scratches to be covered, they need to be caused by an event mentioned in your insurance policy, such as a car accident or vandalism.
It’s also crucial to consider your deductible because if it’s more than the cost to repair the scratches, it may not be worth making a claim.
A Closer Look at Car Insurance
Car insurance provides you with financial protection if you accidentally cause a car crash that damages another person’s car or injures them.
It also covers damage to your car, whether due to an accident, theft, or other events like falling objects, fire, or floods. These events can cause various types of damage, including scratches.
Scratches could result from many things besides car accidents – hail, falling objects, and automatic car washes, to name a few.
If you have both comprehensive and collision coverage in your insurance policy, you’ll be covered for scratches. However, claiming might not always be the best financial decision.
When Does Car Insurance Cover Scratches?
Car insurance policies comprise different coverages, each offering distinct protection. Whether scratches are covered or not depends on the cause of damage and if your policy includes comprehensive and collision coverage.
If you only have the most basic car insurance, you might not be protected from certain events.
For instance, if a tree branch falls on your car and you have comprehensive coverage, your insurer will cover the repair costs.
However, without comprehensive coverage, you’ll have to pay out-of-pocket for the repairs.
Similarly, if you have collision coverage, it covers damages from a collision, irrespective of who’s at fault. Therefore, if you’re involved in an accident resulting in scratches on your vehicle, your collision coverage will cover the costs.
See Also: Does Car Insurance Cover Repairs?
When Doesn’t Car Insurance Cover Scratches?
If your policy doesn’t include comprehensive and collision coverage, you’re likely not covered for scratches. There are other situations where a claim might not be approved, such as:
- Scratches caused by regular wear and tear over time
- If you acted negligently or recklessly
- Violation of your car insurance policy
- If you delay filing a claim
Also, remember that insurance has coverage limits – the maximum payout for a claim. If you have low limits, you might only get partial compensation for the scratches.
Should You File a Claim for Scratches?
Sometimes, it could be cheaper to pay for the scratch repairs out-of-pocket rather than file a claim. If your deductible is higher than the cost of repairs, especially if scratches are the only damage, it’s probably better to pay yourself.
The Impact of Claims on Your Rates
Submitting a claim could potentially raise your insurance premiums, particularly if you were responsible for the damage. If the expense to fix the scratches is just a bit more than your deductible, it could be in your best interest to cover the cost yourself.
This approach can help you sidestep a potential hike in your rates and prevent a claim from being added to your insurance history.
See Also: Do I Need Rental Car Insurance?
If You Scratch Someone Else’s Car
If you accidentally damage someone else’s car, your liability insurance should cover the repairs, including scratches.
If you’re driving another person’s car and it gets scratched, you can file a claim. However, the car’s owner would need to contact their insurer, and they may pay for the damages too.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Scratches?
Repairing scratches depends on their number and depth. A minor scuff could cost as little as $50, while a clear coat scratch might be around $300. However, deep paint scratches, or multiple, can exceed $1,500.
Deciding Whether to Go Through Insurance for a Scratch
Your comprehensive and collision coverage should cover repairs for scratches that result from a covered event, like vandalism or a collision.
However, if the scratch was caused by an event not covered in your policy, your claim likely won’t be accepted.
The Impact of Scratching Another Car on Your Rates
If you accidentally scratch someone else’s car, your insurance rates could go up after filing an at-fault claim. The increase depends on your insurance company and other factors, like your account status.
Does Auto Insurance Cover Scratches?
Yes, if the dent resulted from a covered event and you have comprehensive or collision coverage. However, if the dent was caused by an event not covered in your policy, your insurance probably won’t cover the costs.
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