Your car insurance will cover scratches to your vehicle if they result from vandalism or a collision, if you have optional comprehensive coverage or collision coverage. Perhaps on a vacation to the mountains, you have to drive your car along narrow roads lined with trees and bushes, which end up leaving scratches on your vehicle. Your collision insurance would cover the scratches in this situation.
If your car is hit by a shopping cart in a parking lot, chances are your collision coverage would cover that incident, too. Additionally, if your car is scratched by vandalism or hail, your comprehensive coverage would pay for the damages. However, you must pay your deductible when filing a claim. To determine whether filing a claim is worthwhile, consider whether the cost to repair the scratches exceeds your deductible.
In most cases, making a claim for scratches isn't worth it. Further, if you only have liability coverage, which pays when you cause damage to someone else's car or injure someone, you won't have coverage for scratches. A local independent insurance agent can help you determine whether your car insurance policy includes the right coverage for scratches and dents, and whether filing a claim is worth it. But first, here's a breakdown of when and how car insurance can cover scratches or dents.
Key Takeaways - Does Car Insurance Cover Scratches and Dents in 2026?
Car insurance can cover scratches and dents to your vehicle if you have comprehensive and collision coverage.
If you have minimum coverage, or a liability-only policy, cosmetic damage to your vehicle won't be covered.
If you're hit by an at-fault driver, their liability insurance would cover cosmetic damage to your vehicle.
It may not be worth filing a claim if the extent of the scratch or dent damage only slightly exceeds your policy's deductible.
Working with a local independent insurance agent is highly recommended, as they can shop and compare car insurance quotes and coverage options from multiple carriers near you to find the best deal.
What Types of Scratches Does Car Insurance Cover?
Your comprehensive car insurance can cover scratches and dents caused by vandalism, keying, weather, and falling objects. So, if you've been asking, "Does car insurance cover keyed car damage?" the answer is yes, as long as you have comprehensive coverage in your auto policy.
Additionally, the answer to "Does comprehensive coverage cover vandalism scratches?" is yes. The table below breaks down how and when auto insurance covers cosmetic damage.
| Vehicle Damage Type | Comprehensive Covers? | Collision Covers? | Liability Covers? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scratches from vandalism, keying, trees, or weather | Yes | No | No |
| Scratches from a collision accident you caused | No | Yes | No |
| Scuffs and minor dents from parking lot incidents | No | Yes | Yes, if another vehicle caused it; otherwise no |
| Dents from hail or falling objects | Yes | No | No |
| Broken or cracked windshield | Yes | No | No |
| Bumper damage from a collision accident you caused | No | Yes | No |
| Bumper damage from a collision accident caused by someone else | No | No | Yes — by the at-fault driver's policy |
| Paint damage from vandalism or weather-related events | Yes | No | No |
| Paint damage from a collision accident you caused | No | Yes | No |
| Wear and tear damage | No | No | No |
No type of car insurance will cover typical wear-and-tear damage to your vehicle. Further, liability coverage only covers cosmetic damage, such as scratches and dents, when it's caused by a third party. If you're unsure whether a specific type of damage falls under comprehensive or collision coverage, our comprehensive vs. collision insurance comparison breaks down the difference in more detail.
How Does Car Insurance Cover Scratches?
When you call your insurance company to make a claim about your vehicle being scratched, they'll investigate whether the scratch was your fault. Once the cause of the scratch is determined, if you're eligible to have your insurance cover the scratch, your insurance will open a claim. From there, you'll work with an approved body shop to get your scratches fixed, and your insurance will cover the expenses minus the deductible.
Follow these steps if you need to file a claim for scratches or dents:
- Document and photograph the damage: Take detailed photo or video evidence to submit to your insurance company of any cosmetic damage.
- File a police report for vandalism: Call the police to report any vandalism crimes right away. Your insurance company will likely request a copy of the police report.
- Contact your insurer or agent: Call your car insurance company or independent insurance agent to report the incident and initiate the claims process.
- Work with an approved body shop: Your insurance company will likely have a list of approved body shops you can schedule with to have your vehicle repaired.
Your independent insurance agent can help file claims for you and walk you through the entire process. They can also help you understand the extent of your car insurance scratch coverage.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Car Scratch?
The cost to repair a car scratch can range from $150 at a minimum for damage to your clear coat to more than $2,500 for deep damage to the metal. If you're interested in repairing the scratch yourself, you can often buy DIY kits for between $15 and $75. However, these are typically only effective for surface scuffs.
The table below breaks down the average car scratch repair costs by extent of damage.
| Scratch Depth | Average Cost to Repair |
|---|---|
| Clear Coat Only | $150–$300 |
| Base Coat (Color Layer) | $400–$1,000 |
| Primer Exposed | $600–$1,500 |
| Deep to Bare Metal | $800–$2,500+ |
How Much Will Insurance Pay for a Car Scratch?
Your insurance will cover all of the damage to your car after you pay your collision or comprehensive deductible, which typically ranges from $100 to $2,000. In certain cases, the extent of the damage may not exceed your deductible enough to make filing a claim worth it. For example, if you had a scratch that would cost $600 to repair, but your deductible was $500, this means your insurance would only pay a maximum of $100.
For most people, filing a claim in this case wouldn't be worth it. For a full breakdown of how deductibles work and how to choose the right amount, see our guide to car insurance deductibles. Ask your independent insurance agent to help you find your car insurance deductible for scratches.
When Will You Still Owe Money After a Scratch Claim?
If your insurance company determines that the cause of the scratches on your car makes them eligible for coverage under your insurance, then they will cover the damage 100%, minus your deductible, if the full claim is approved. Whenever you file a claim, you have to pay your deductible before receiving compensation. Once your insurance company decides to cover the damage, they'll pay the remaining amount after your deductible is applied.
Here are two sample scenarios:
- Your vehicle has a scratch that requires a $400 repair, but your policy's deductible is $500. In this case, you actually wouldn't be able to file a claim without a denial, and you'd pay the $400 out of your own pocket.
- Your vehicle has a deeper scratch that requires a $1,200 repair, and your policy's deductible is $500. In this case, you'd likely file a claim. Your insurer would cover the remaining $700 after you paid your deductible.
If you have further questions about how your comprehensive or collision deductibles work when filing a car insurance claim, your independent insurance agent can help answer them.
What Coverage Do You Need for Car Scratch Protection?
To protect yourself against scratches and dents to your vehicle, make sure your auto policy includes at least comprehensive and collision coverage. Additionally, some specialty auto insurers and dealerships offer scratch-and-dent cosmetic endorsements as optional add-ons to your auto policy.
Otherwise, these are your options for car insurance coverage for scratches and dents:
- Full coverage insurance: This typically refers to an auto policy that includes liability, comprehensive, and collision coverage, as well as other state-mandated coverages. A full coverage auto policy should cover many types of scratches and dents to your vehicle.
- Comprehensive coverage: This pays for damage to your car due to a non-collision event, such as a flood or theft. Comprehensive insurance can cover scratches and dents caused by vandalism, hail, and other incidents.
- Collision coverage: This pays for damage to your car from a collision with another object, regardless of fault. Certain situations, like your car getting scraped by tree branches on a drive, would be covered under collision.
An independent insurance agent can make sure you get all the coverage you need to protect your vehicle against scratches and dents.
Should I File a Claim or Pay Out of Pocket for Scratches?
If your repairs won't exceed your policy's deductible or will only slightly exceed it, it's recommended to pay out of pocket rather than file a claim. You can weigh the impact on your policy's premium if you filed a claim that only slightly exceeded your deductible to determine if filing is worth it. However, if your repair costs would far exceed your deductible, such as if you had a keyed car or multi-panel damage, filing a claim is likely worth it. Keep in mind that any claims you file will appear on Carfax and can lower your resale or trade-in value.
If you're still asking, "Should I file an insurance claim for a car scratch?" or "Is it worth claiming a scratch on my car insurance?" an independent insurance agent can help you decide.
Will Filing a Scratch Claim Raise Your Insurance Rates?
Filing a comprehensive coverage claim for a scratch may raise your average monthly premium from $184 to $194. Filing two claims can raise your premium by an average of $20 per month, to $204. Collision claims can raise your rates by an average of 10%-20% for up to three years.
Filing a comprehensive claim for a scratch caused by keying has a lower premium rate impact than filing a claim for a scratch caused by an at-fault collision. To understand exactly what your premium reflects and what other factors can raise or lower it, see our guide to what a car insurance premium is. The table below illustrates how much your car insurance premium may increase after a scratch claim.
| Number of Comprehensive Claims | Average Monthly Premium | Average Six-Month Premium |
|---|---|---|
| None | $184 | $1,103 |
| One | $194 | $1,162 |
| Two | $204 | $1,222 |
What If Your Car Insurance Scratch Claim Is Denied?
If your car insurance scratch claim is denied, you'll have to pay for any repairs out of your own pocket. Your car insurance company may deny a scratch claim if the damage is classified as wear and tear or pre-existing. It might also deny your claim if you have insufficient proof of the cause of the scratch, or if the damage is inconsistent with the accident report after a collision.
If your claim is denied, you can request a written explanation from your insurer. You can submit additional evidence, such as photos, body shop estimates, or police reports, to help your case. If you're still unhappy with the claim denial, you can also file a complaint with your state insurance department against your insurance company and pursue mediation or arbitration.
FAQs About Car Insurance and Scratches
Does car insurance cover scratches from a parking lot?
Yes, collision coverage covers parking lot scrapes to your vehicle, whether they're caused by another car, a shopping cart, or a curb. If the other driver is at fault and identified, their liability coverage would pay for the damage.
Does liability insurance cover scratches on my car?
No. Liability coverage only pays for damage you cause to others, not for damage to your own vehicle. You'd need comprehensive or collision coverage for scratches to your own vehicle.
Will my insurance cover scratches if someone keys my car?
Yes. Keying falls under vandalism, which is covered by comprehensive insurance. You pay your deductible first, then your insurance company covers the rest if your claim is approved. Filing a police report for vandalism incidents is strongly recommended and often required by insurers for a claim to be approved.
Should I file a police report if my car is keyed or vandalized?
Yes. A police report documents when and where the vandalism occurred, supports your comprehensive insurance claim, and is typically required by many car insurance companies. If the vandal is identified, you or your insurer may be able to recover costs directly from them.
Does car insurance cover scratches from a car wash?
Typically, no. Car wash scratches are usually attributed to the facility's negligence, which is not a covered peril under your auto policy. You would likely need to file a claim against the car wash's business liability insurance instead.
How long do I have to file a claim for car scratches?
Filing deadlines vary by insurer and state, but most car insurance policies require prompt reporting. Waiting too long can give your insurer grounds to deny your claim. Report the damage to your insurer ASAP after you discover it.
Will a scratch insurance claim affect my car's resale value?
Yes, it can. Claims are reported to Carfax and will appear in your vehicle's history, which can lower your resale and trade-in values. For minor cosmetic damage, paying out-of-pocket can keep your car's history clean and may be more cost-effective over time.
Can I file a claim for scratches that were my fault?
Yes, if you have collision coverage. Collision insurance covers damage to your car caused by accidents you caused, including scraping against a post or wall. Your deductible applies first, however, and your premium rates may increase after filing a claim, especially for an at-fault accident.
Get Help from an Independent Insurance Agent Near You
When you need to find the right kind of car insurance coverage to protect against losses due to car scratches and dents, no one's better equipped to help than a local independent insurance agent. These agents have access to multiple car insurance companies near you, so they're free to shop and compare policy options and quotes to find the best deal. And down the road, your agent can help you file a car insurance claim for a scratch or dent and walk you through the entire process.
Sources
https://www.thezebra.com/auto-insurance/coverage/does-car-insurance-cover-scratches-dents-cosmetic-damage/
https://carxplorer.com/how-much-for-a-scratch-repair-on-a-car/