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Someone keyed your car. Or it got hit with spray paint. Or your windows were smashed in the night. You walk out in the morning to damage you had nothing to do with, and now you have to figure out how to fix it. It is a genuinely awful feeling, and we see it more than most people expect.
The good news is that vandalism is usually covered by insurance, and the repair process is not as complicated as it sounds. Here is what to know.
Does insurance cover vandalism?
Yes, in most cases. Vandalism falls under comprehensive coverage, not collision coverage. Comprehensive covers damage that is not caused by an accident with another vehicle. Think theft, weather, animals, and vandalism. If you have comprehensive on your policy, you are in good shape to file a claim.
Collision coverage is for when your car hits something, or something hits your car while moving. A key scratch or a smashed window does not count as a collision. If you are not sure which coverages you have, call your insurer and ask before you do anything else.
What to do first
Do not touch anything before you photograph it. Walk around the car and take photos of every angle. Close-ups of the damaged areas, wide shots of the full car, the setting. This documentation matters for your insurance claim and for us when we write the estimate.
Then call the police and file a report. Most insurers require a police report for a vandalism claim. The report number goes on your claim, and it creates an official record if the case is ever investigated. For a full step-by-step walkthrough on documenting vehicle damage, see how to document car damage after an incident.
What kinds of vandalism we repair
Key scratches are the most common thing we see. The damage can range from a surface scuff to a gouge that goes through the clear coat, the paint, and into the primer. The depth tells us how involved the repair needs to be.
Spray paint is a different job. Depending on how fresh it is and what kind of paint was used, we may be able to remove it without disturbing your factory finish. Older spray paint or paint that has chemically etched into the clear coat often requires repainting the panel.
Smashed windows or mirrors are a separate repair from body work. Glass and mirror replacement are things we handle, and we order parts to match your make and model.
Slashed tires, broken door handles, damaged trim, and dented panels all come through our shop regularly. Whatever the damage, we assess it the same way every time: what is the full scope, what does it take to get back to pre-accident condition, and how do we make this painless for you.
Will vandalism affect my insurance rate?
Filing a comprehensive claim for vandalism generally has less impact on your premium than a collision claim, because it is considered a non-fault event. That said, every policy is different. Ask your insurer before you file if you are worried about rate impact. For more on how insurance claims affect rates in California, see does filing a claim raise your insurance premium.
How we handle your claim
When you bring your car to us, we handle the back and forth with your insurer. We document the damage, write the estimate, and submit it. If the inspector finds hidden damage after we open things up, we file a supplement to cover that too. That is The Painless Collision Process, and it applies to vandalism just as much as it does to collision repair.
You also have the right to choose your own body shop in California, regardless of what your insurer suggests. See do I have to use the body shop my insurance recommends for how that works.
How long does vandalism repair take?
Simple key scratches on one or two panels can often turn around in a few days. Spray paint removal and repaint takes longer, usually a week or more depending on the panel count and parts availability. Broken windows or mirrors can be quicker. We will give you a realistic window at the estimate and update you if anything changes.
Frequently asked questions
Is vandalism covered by my car insurance?
Vandalism falls under comprehensive coverage, not collision. If your policy includes comprehensive, you are generally covered. Call your insurer to confirm before filing, and ask for your claim number when you do.
Do I need a police report for a vandalism insurance claim?
Most insurers require one. File a report with your local police department and ask for the report number. It goes on your claim and creates an official record if the case is ever investigated.
Will filing a vandalism claim raise my insurance rates?
Comprehensive claims for non-fault events like vandalism generally have less rate impact than collision claims. That said, every policy is different. Ask your insurer before filing if you are concerned about the premium effect.
Can I choose my own body shop for a vandalism repair?
Yes. In California you generally have the right to choose the shop that repairs your car, even if your insurer suggests a different one. We work directly with every insurance company and handle the back and forth so you do not have to.
How much does it cost to repair a keyed car?
It depends on how deep the scratch goes and how many panels were hit. A surface scuff is very different from a gouge through the clear coat and primer. Bring it in for a free estimate and we will tell you honestly what the repair involves.
Next step
If your car was vandalized, start with a free estimate. We work with every insurance company and handle the paperwork for you.
Call us at 925-516-1930, or stop by and we will look it over at no charge.
Call (925) 516-1930 or stop by 44 Sycamore Ave, Suite A in Brentwood. Estimates are free. Read about our what to do after an accident, how we work, or get directions and hours. We serve Brentwood, Oakley, Antioch, Discovery Bay and Byron.