Does Car Insurance Cover Keyed Cars?

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Keyed car damage can be more than cosmetic if the scratch is deep. To repair your keyed car, you might consider if it’s covered through your insurance policy before you head to the repair shop. Most full coverage policies will pay for keyed car repairs as long as you have comprehensive coverage, but you’ll have to file a claim and pay the deductible. Bankrate’s insurance editorial team explains your options, so you can decide whether or not to file a claim or pay out of pocket.

Will insurance cover a keyed car?

If you’re wondering whether insurance covers vandalism, realize that most car insurance does cover a keyed car if you have the right policy in place. If you have full coverage, then you likely have comprehensive coverage on your auto policy that provides coverage against theft, vandalism and weather-related damage. You can file a claim under your comprehensive coverage if your vehicle is keyed. However, if you only have liability insurance, your keyed car will not be covered by your auto insurer.

How much does it cost to repaint a keyed car?

The cost of repairing a scratch on a keyed car depends on how far and deep the damage has penetrated. If it has only scratched the top coat, the expenses will be the lowest. For instance, if it’s a superficial scratch that’s just near your door handle or a single panel, you might only have to pay for a touch-up paint job. According to Kelley Blue Book, you can expect to pay between $500 to $1,000 for a basic paint job, but an auto shop specializing in storm and damage repair puts estimates for minor touch-ups and scratch repair between $945 and $1,545.

If the scratch is deep and the damage extends from the clear or base coat to the bare metal, you might fall on the higher end of repair costs. You’ll also pay more if someone dragged the key across several body panels instead of just one, or if your vehicle has an unusual paint color that’s difficult to source. That said, labor costs in your area can greatly affect the price you pay to repaint the keyed car. Extensive keyed car repairs can run up to $1,000 or more. To help you save, request repair quotes from several shops before you agree to the work.

Will making a claim on my keyed car affect my premium?

An important consideration before filing a claim is how it may affect your premiums. Policyholders who file claims often see the price of their insurance go up, regardless of how minor the issue is. However, you probably won’t pay as much as someone who files a claim for an at-fault accident, for example. You’ll most likely see the change in your rate at renewal time.

Your annual rates are likely to rise more significantly if you file more than one claim within a short time. For instance, if you have one claim on record from within the last two years and file another one, you’re likely to notice a notable spike at renewal. Insurance companies make up for the cost paid in claims with an increased premium, even if the expenses were for minor cosmetic damage that you are not at fault for. Therefore, if you are trying to save money by getting your auto insurer to pay for the repair expenses of your keyed car, consider that you may end up paying a higher premium for the next few years to offset the insurance company’s out-of-pocket costs for the claim.

Is it worth making a claim to fix my keyed car?

Whether or not you should file a claim depends on your insurance policy, specifically your deductible, and the extent of damage to your car. 

What do I do if someone keys my car?

The process of filing a claim in the event of a keyed car is much the same as filing a claim for any other damage. Some of the steps to take include:

1. Document the incident by time and place, and take photos and videos.
2. File a police report.
3. Inform your insurance company if you have comprehensive coverage.
4. Take your vehicle to a repair shop for inspection.

If you decide to file a claim, your auto insurer will either reimburse you after you have paid the mechanic, or the insurer might pay its portion of the claim to the mechanic directly. Regardless, the payment from your insurer will have the comprehensive deductible taken from it. You would have to pay the difference between the amount owed to the repair shop and what was paid by your auto insurer out of pocket to cover your deductible. With a $500 comprehensive deductible and a $1,500 damage claim, you would pay the $500 deductible to the repair shop and the insurer would pay the remaining $1,000. In this example, the keyed car repair cost is $500, with insurance covering the rest.

Tips for protecting your car from vandalism

No one wants their vehicle to be the target of vandalism. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prevent your car from being keyed. While these might seem like straightforward suggestions, they might stop someone from causing damage altogether:

• Install a security system or alarm: If your car did not come with a security system, consider installing an alarm that could deter vandals. A system with a loud alarm or flashing light often makes people think twice before messing with your vehicle.
• Park in a garage or well-lit area: Keep your car safe by parking in a locked or secure garage — ideally one with video surveillance if you’re in public. If you can’t park in a garage, choose a well-lit space on a street that isn’t out-of-the-way or secluded. Vandals are less likely to target your car if they might be spotted.
• Keep your locked and free of valuables: People are more likely to vandalize or steal from your vehicle if it looks like an easy target. Don’t leave your personal belongings in the car where someone can see them, and always lock your doors when you leave the vehicle. If you have to leave items in your car, put them in discreet places like the trunk, under a seat or in the glove compartment.
• Mix up your parking routine: Vandals and thieves often pay attention to a target’s routine, making note of when they arrive, where they park and when they leave. Try to switch up your schedule so you’re not always parking in the same place and don’t follow a predictable schedule if you can avoid it.

If you’re someone who keeps up on your car maintenance and generally takes care of your vehicle, it can be really disheartening to find that your car has been keyed. Fortunately, if you have comprehensive insurance, the repairs are often covered. Once you’ve fixed the paint job, remember that there are things you can do to prevent your car from being vandalized again.

Frequently asked questions

• How is car vandalism defined?
  

  Vandalism is typically defined as damage that’s deliberately done to a vehicle. Examples of vandalism include keying the car, slashing the tires, smashing the windows, spray-painting the vehicle, stealing the hood ornament, egging the car and pouring things like sugar or salt into the gas tank. If you’re unsure if your insurance provider will cover your keyed car, you may want to read through your policy to see if you have comprehensive coverage or contact your insurance agent to discuss your policy in more depth.

   

• When should I file a claim for a keyed car?
  

  If you find that your car has been keyed and you have comprehensive coverage on your policy, you might want to consider filing a claim. If you have a high deductible, it may make sense to get a quote to fix the damage first. Then, you can determine if it is worth filing a keyed car claim with the insurance company. If the damage is less than your deductible, it’s likely not worth filing a claim. And if you don’t have comprehensive coverage, your claim would not be approved due to lacking the appropriate coverage for the incident.

• Will my insurance go up after a vandalism claim?
  

  Your insurance might go up after filing a claim with your comprehensive insurance policy, although how much it changes depends on your personal factors and insurance company. The average cost of full coverage car insurance is $2,638 per year as of January 2025, according to average rate data from Quadrant Information Services, although some of the cheapest car insurance providers might offer more competitive rates. If you’d like to know how filing a claim could affect your premium, consider speaking with your insurance agent for specifics.

• Does collision coverage pay for a keyed car?
  

  Collision coverage does not pay for a keyed car. This coverage will pay for damage to the vehicle after colliding with another car or stationary object, such as something lying in the road, a building, a fence or a sign. Comprehensive coverage is what usually pays for a keyed vehicle as it is considered vandalism. Be aware that if you purchased paint add-on coverage from the dealership, it doesn’t cover keyed car damage.