Finding that your car’s been vandalized can leave you feeling victimized and upset. In addition to dealing with the shock of a vandalized car, you also need to address how to fix the damage and the cost of the repairs. Replacing slashed tires and broken windows can quickly become expensive, so you might wonder if your car insurance will cover vandalism. It’s important to understand how car insurance policies handle vandalism claims when deciding the best option.
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Whether your car insurance covers vandalism will depend on the type of coverage that you have. Your insurance will only pay for vandalism to your vehicle if your policy includes comprehensive coverage.
The good news is that most full coverage policies include both comprehensive and collision coverage, so if you have full coverage on your vehicle, it will probably cover vandalism to your vehicle. However, most states don’t require full coverage insurance, so if you’re uncertain of your coverage, you’ll need to review your policy.
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If you have vandalism coverage, you must decide whether to file a claim. When you file a claim, your insurance company will cover the cost of repairing or replacing vandalized components remaining after you’ve paid your deductible. Your vandalism coverage deductible can range from $0 to $2,000, so you’ll need to consider the cost of repairing the damage and whether it makes sense to file a claim.
You’ll also need to consider whether filing a claim will raise your car insurance rates.
Depending on the damage to your vehicle and whether your rates will increase because of a claim, you can decide if it makes sense to file a claim. For example, if the cost of repairing the damage is $1,200 but you have a $1,000 deductible, you might decide to avoid a rate increase and to not file a claim. If repairing your vehicle will cost $3,500 and you only have a $500 deductible, it might make more sense to file a claim.
If your current car insurance doesn’t offer the protection you want, or if you simply want to save money on your car insurance, shopping around and comparing quotes can help you find the best deal. You can get a free personalized auto insurance quote today to start comparing your options and find the policies with the best prices and the best coverage.
Paige Cerulli Paige Cerulli is a freelance content writer and journalist who specializes in personal finance topics. She graduated from Westfield State University and brings more than a decade of professional writing experience to the ConsumerCoverage team. Paige’s work has appeared in outlets including USA Today, Business Insider, and more.
