How to File a Claim for a Vandalized Vehicle

If you need to file a claim because of car vandalism, you want to handle the procedure properly. Chances are, sometime in your life you will have to deal with either car vandalism or theft, and if you have an insurance policy that covers the cost of repair, you want to know how to go about filing the claim. 

File a Police Report 

The first thing you should do is file a police report. Not only is this the process for dealing with vandalism, but it will create a paper trail that you can in turn use to help your claim. In addition, it may--in a small way--help to curb future vandalism in your area by giving police an idea of what is happening. Calling the police documents the damage. Make sure you leave the car exactly as you find it. Don't clean up or disturb any potential evidence. 

Call your Insurance Company 

After you have notified the police, call your insurance company to file a car insurance claim. Depending on the insurance company, you may be able to call 24-hours a day. If you do not carry comprehensive coverage, the insurance company will not cover damage caused by vandalism. If you have comprehensive, the sooner you call the insurance, the faster your claim will get into the system to be processed.

Filing a claim for a vandalized vehicle is much the same as any other insurance claim. A police report is your first step, for it will document the damage and help verify your claim. Your next call is to the insurance company to file the claim, but you will to carry comprehensive coverage in order for the insurance to cover the costs of repair.

Related Questions and Answers

A vandalism insurance claim may make your insurance rates go up. It really depends on your insurance company and the value of the claim. If your claim is only for a few hundred dollars, then it is possible that the insurance company will not raise your rates. If on the other hand, your car has suffered extensive damage and the claim is in the thousands, more than likely your rates will rise. There are insurance companies that allow one claim per year without raising your rates. Claim forgiveness is normally offered to long term customers who have excellent driving records.

Auto vandalism is covered by comprehensive car insurance. Comprehensive covers damage to a vehicle that is caused by things other than a collision. Fire and flood damage are covered under comprehensive as well as vandalism. It is important to note that vandalism that is proved to be intentional or caused by a family member, will not be covered. Comprehensive insurance does not make sense for everyone. If you have an older vehicle that has a low resale value, the premiums for comprehensive coverage can often be more than the vehicle is worth. If you drive a leased vehicle or have a car loan, the bank or leasing company will require you to carry comprehensive coverage.

An auto diminished value claim should not make your rates go up, but the rules can be tricky. Many states do not even allow diminished value claims, so check with your insurance company to verify it is even a possibility. Diminished value claims can be hard to prove. Once the insurance company has made an offer, it is very hard to get them to budge on the number. In the majority of cases, the insurance company that is paying your diminished value claim is the insurance company of the driver that hit you, causing damage in the first place. As your insurance company is not paying the claim, your rates should not rise.

Vandalism car insurance is called comprehensive insurance, and every major insurance company offers it. Comprehensive covers damage to a vehicle that has not caused a collision. Flood, fire, and vandalism are some of the more common claims under a comprehensive policy. Comprehensive is a required insurance if you are leasing a vehicle or have a car loan. The bank or leasing company will insist that you have full coverage. Many people choose not to carry comprehensive. if you have an older, low value vehicle, this type of coverage is often not worth it. Keeping your deductible high will lower your premiums, but you will be out of pocket the deductible amount when you need to file a claim.

Fixing the paint on keyed cars can be a challenge. There are numerous products on the market and the best one will depend on your situation. Determine if the scratch extends to the primer or below. If the scratch is in the clear coat that is applied over the paint, it can normally be sanded and buffed out. This can be done at home if you have an electric buffer. A deep scratch will require painting. This can be difficult because you have to match the paint color. Look for touch up paint at auto parts stores. It may be necessary to purchase a few different colors to get the correct match.