Does Car Insurance Cover Keyed Cars? Yes, car insurance can cover keyed cars with a specific coverage called comprehensive coverage. Keyed cars are secured by comprehensive car coverage, but collision insurance cannot cover this damage. Additionally, the cost of paying for keyed cars can range from $50 to $1,500, depending on the damage.
You must decide if filing a claim is financially viable, as you will be responsible for covering keyed cars through a comprehensive deductible for insurance coverage. Furthermore, the article guides on deciding whether to cover out-of-pocket or submit a car insurance claim for keyed cars.
Will Keyed Cars Affect Insurance Premiums
Insurance premiums may increase if repairs to your car are claimed after it has been keyed. Your driving record and claim history will determine how much of an increment you receive. An accident can significantly affect your car, especially if you are at fault, compared to a claim for scratch repair.
However, filing a claim is not worthwhile if the cost to replace the scratch is less than your deductible. This is because any rate rise you get from your provider might soon exceed a small payment. If you have made another claim with your car insurer during the past year to two years, your premiums will go up after a keyed car claim. Your insurer is more likely to enhance your premiums the more claims you file.
How Much Does It Cost to Repair Keyed Cars
The cost of repairing a key scratch on your car’s body depends on its extent of spread. There are coats of paint that are regularly applied to cars, like a white primer, a color coat, and a protective clear coat. The cost of the repair will increase with the number of paint layers that the scratch penetrates.
Scratch only hits the clear coat
If the scratch has not entered the clear coat, you can likely buff it out by yourself or contact a repair business to do it for you for $150 to $300.
Scratches pierce the transparent coat and turn it colorful
It might cost $400 to $1,000 to correct scratches that need the clear coat to be reapplied by an auto body shop.
Scratches reveal primer or bare metal
A professional repair might set you back between $800 and $1,500 if you can see any white primer, silver bare metal, or plastic in the damage.
In addition, the cost of insurance for keyed cars is affected by factors such as the length of scratches, car color, and comprehensive coverage. Your charge will also go up if the scrape covers more than one panel, like the front and back doors.
What to Do If Your Car Gets Keyed
Car keyed is seen as a planned crime and a kind of vandalism. Fixing it also requires money and effort, and you may be wondering if your insurance would pay for it. Generally, comprehensive coverage pays for any harm or loss to your vehicle brought on by burglary, fire, explosions, civil unrest, natural catastrophes, etc.
Here are four things you ought to do if your car is keyed.
Keep track of the damages
Recording the circumstances ought to be your first course of action. Record your perceptions, take pictures and videos, and forward them to a few witnesses. Gathering proof is crucial when filing an insurance claim or a police complaint.
Make a report to the police
As this is a legally punishable willful offense, the next step is to contact the police. Making a police report will facilitate the request. The report will reveal the perpetrator, but you must answer a few questions to assist them. When you file an insurance claim, the insurance company will require a report; therefore, it is crucial.
Speak with your insurance company
After recording the event and obtaining a police report, contact your insurance company to discuss the incident, determine if your policy covers it, and determine necessary actions. A simple occurrence like automobile keying should normally be covered by the most comprehensive insurance. The provider will send an appraiser, if insurance covers it, to assess its financial value and advise you on filing a claim or seeking repairs.
Take it in for maintenance
The company may suggest a body shop or utilize its claims in these circumstances. If you are uncertain, it is advisable to look for help from a reputable company and contact the insurance provider. The amount of funding may change based on the kind of harm.
Keyed cars do not affect rates compared to other car harm, such as accidents. The cost is regularly decided by the length of the scratch. It will cost more if it’s only a small portion of the vehicle and is on different sides. In certain cases, you might only require a clear coat, or you might require paint and a clear coat if the scratch uncovered your car’s interior panels. The price is also determined by the vehicle’s color.
How to Prevent Your Car From Being Keyed
There are some steps you may take to lessen the chance that your vehicle will be keyed again if you are concerned about it:
- When not in use, park your automobile in a garage.
- Park in a swarmed, well-lit area.
- If you take off space between your car and other parked cars, it lowers the sum of cover that prospective vandals have.
- If your car is parked at your residence, consider including a smart home security system or CCTV.
Installing a dash cam for utilization when your car is parked is another excellent idea. A dash cam may not be able to halt your car from being keyed, but it may help distinguish the culprit.
Final Thoughts
Comprehensive car insurance policies cover keyed cars, while collision coverage doesn’t. Moreover, repair costs vary based on damage extent, with superficial scratches costing $50-$1500, while deep scratches can cost $1,000 or more.