You already know that car insurance is there to protect you financially if you're in a car accident. But what about the little things, like scratches? Does your car insurance policy cover that? Well, the answer is... maybe!
Does car insurance cover scratches?
Whether your insurance covers scratches depends on what’s included in your policy. And even if you’re covered, sometimes it makes more sense to pay for the damage yourself. Here's why.
If you have collision coverage or comprehensive coverage, they can usually help with minor damage like scratches. However, while insurance can cover scratches, sometimes it’s just not worth filing a claim. If there was no injury involved and the repair costs are less than your deductible, it might be easier and cheaper to pay for the repairs yourself.
For example, if the damage costs $200 to fix but your deductible is $1,000, your insurance won’t cover anything because you'd have to pay them $1,000 upfront before they do.
Also, keep in mind that both collision and comprehensive coverage are optional. If you only have basic insurance, you might not have these protections at all. To cover damage to your vehicle, you’d need to get full coverage.
When can I file a claim for my scratched car?
If you do decide you want to claim car insurance, the cause of the scratch also matters. Different types of coverage handle different situations, so if you don’t have the right coverage for how the scratch happened, you might be out of luck.
For example, some scratches fall under collision coverage, while others are handled by comprehensive coverage. Figuring out what caused the damage is the first step in knowing whether you can file an insurance claim. We'll explore the various types of coverage you can utilize to file a claim if your car is scratched:
Collision coverage
Collision coverage kicks in when your car is damaged by hitting something—whether it’s another car, a tree, or even a mailbox. With collision-related scratches, there’s usually a deductible involved. Whether you have to pay it depends on a few things, like who’s at fault and the specifics of your policy. Here are some examples of scratches that could be covered by your collision coverage:
- If another car door hits your car in a parking lot
- If you scrape up against a curb, mailbox, or back into a pole
- If you sideswipe another vehicle
- If some low-hanging tree branches scratch your car
- If you rear-end another driver
- If you hit a large pothole and it scratches the bottom of your car
Comprehensive coverage
Comprehensive coverage takes care of damage that isn’t from a collision with another car or object.
Typically, there’s a deductible you’ll need to pay before your insurance kicks in. Once you’ve covered that, your insurance will handle any repair costs over that amount. Here are a couple of examples of scratches that comprehensive insurance usually covers:
- Vandalism, like if someone keys your car
- If a branch falls and scratches your car
- If you hit a large animal, like a deer
- If rocks or debris fly off of a truck in front of you and scratches your car
What if I don't know how my car was scratched?
If you're not sure how your car got scratched, it could make things a bit tricky. But you can still file a claim and talk it over with the adjuster. There's even a good chance that the claims adjuster will be able to help you figure out just how your car got scratched.
When should I file a claim for a scratch on my car?
You should definitely put some thought into filing a claim for a scratch on your car, as it's not always the best idea. Filing a claim for a scratch due to an at-fault accident could cause your premium to increase& (unless you have accident forgiveness). Plus, as we mentioned earlier, if the damage is minor, it might cost less to fix than your deductible.
For example, let's say you backed into a light pole, and the scratch on your bumper would cost about $150 to fix. It wouldn’t make sense to file a claim if your deductible is $500. Instead, it's best to just pay a body shop the $150 to have it fixed. But if the damage is more serious—say, for example, if you hit a deer and it'll cost you $1,000 or more in repairs—then filing a claim might be worth it because the cost is higher than your deductible. You should consider filing a claim for a scratch on your vehicle when:
If someone is injured
Say you were in a minor fender bender, and it left scratches on your bumper. You may look at the damage and know it'll cost less than your deductible. However, if there are any injuries in an accident, like whiplash, even if they seem minor, it’s important to get a police report and let your insurer know. Sometimes, an injury that seems small can turn out to be more serious later, and if you don’t report the accident right away, your insurance might refuse to cover it.
If you're ever unsure whether you need to call your insurance company, the truth is that you should always report any accident to your insurance company, even if you're not planning on filing a claim.
Should I care about scratches on my car?
Sometimes, scratches are just cosmetic—like when a tree branch grazes your car, or you accidentally brush up against a wall. These light scratches won’t affect how your car runs.
But deeper scratches can be a bigger issue. If left untreated, they could lead to rust, so you’ll probably want to get them fixed. And if you think the scratches were caused by vandalism, it’s something to take seriously; you should report it to the police.
When does car insurance not cover scratches?
There are times when car insurance won’t cover scratches. Here are a few examples:
You don't have the right coverage
If you only have the province’s minimum liability insurance, it only includes accident benefits coverage, and in some provinces, uninsured motorist coverage or direct compensation-property damage coverage. This means your car insurance won’t cover damage to your car because you need collision or comprehensive coverage.
You waited too long to file a claim
If you try to make a claim for damage that happened a while ago, it probably won’t work. Insurance companies have time limits on how far back they’ll cover a claim. Even if you don’t remember the exact date, you’ll need to give your insurer a rough idea of when the damage happened and what caused it.
The damage is due to normal wear and tear
As your car gets older, it's bound to get a few scratches or dings, no matter how careful you are. These minor things usually aren’t covered by your insurance.
How to file a claim for your scratched car
Calling your insurance company after a minor car accident is just as important as after a major one. They need to know what happened, and by notifying them, you can start the claims process, which can help cover the cost of the damage. Remember, even minor things like knocking over a mailbox or hitting a pothole are considered single-vehicle collisions. Here are the steps to file a claim for a scratch on your car:
1. Determine whether you need to contact the police
Not every accident needs to be reported, but it’s usually a good idea. Having a police report can serve as valuable evidence when you file an insurance claim. Plus, in some cases, filing a report is required by law, and not doing so could lead to hefty fines.
For example, in Ontario, you’re legally required to notify the police if anyone involved in the accident is injured or if the combined damage to the vehicles is over $2,000.
So, you likely won't need to file a police report for something like hitting a large pothole or if someone opens their car door into yours in a parking lot. However, if you were in a minor fender bender, and you or a passenger is complaining of neck pain due to whiplash, you'll need to contact the police. Further, if the scratches on your car were due to vandalism, you'll need to report it to the police, as an act of vandalism is a criminal offence.
2. Collect your evidence
Every car insurance claim needs solid evidence, and this can come in many forms. Photos or videos from the accident scene are definitely worth including, along with witness statements and any police report.
For the large pothole example, take photos of the pothole itself and the damage to your car. If another driver was involved, like with a dinged car door or a minor fender bender, gather their contact, vehicle, and insurance information. If the police were called, get their name and file number for your records.&
3. Contact your insurance company
It's best to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident or when you discover the damage, but no later than seven days afterward. This gives you the opportunity to get yourself checked out in case of injuries and process the events that unfold. Your insurance agent or broker will guide you through the claims process.
They'll let you know if there are any specific forms to fill out, like a proof of loss form, and help you figure out which coverage your claim falls under. If you have any other questions, like how long the process will take, your insurance broker or agent can provide those answers, too.
4. Work with your insurance adjuster
Once you submit a claim to your insurance provider, they’ll assign an adjuster to review it. The adjuster’s job is to figure out if the scratch damage is covered by your policy. If they determine that the claim is worth less than your deductible, they won't proceed. However, if your claim is worth more than your deductible and is covered under your collision or comprehensive coverage, they'll determine how much you’ll get for the payout.
As part of their investigation, the adjuster will go over the evidence you provided. They might also call you or arrange an in-person visit if they have more questions. Once they’ve wrapped up their investigation, they’ll recommend to the insurance company whether your claim should be approved and how much it should be approved for.
How long does the claims process take?
The length of the claims process can vary depending on your insurance company, but generally, submitting a claim is pretty quick, especially if you’ve already gathered all your evidence.
For example, if you have everything ready, filling out a Proof of Loss form and submitting it might only take about 15 minutes. Overall, filing the claim usually takes less than an hour.
After that, how long it takes for your claim to be processed depends on how quickly the insurance company assigns an adjuster and how long they take to investigate. In most cases, the whole process is done within 30 days, though getting your payout might take longer. To get a clearer idea, it's always best to ask your insurance provider directly.
Get car insurance with BrokerLink
If you only have a basic liability car insurance policy, it might be a good idea to consider adding collision and comprehensive coverage. These coverages can help cover scratches and other minor damage done to your vehicle. If you have any questions about how these coverage options can protect you or about filing insurance claims, reach out to BrokerLink today.
You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations throughout Canada. No matter how you choose to get in touch, a BrokerLink insurance advisor will be happy to assist you. We also encourage you to take advantage of our free online quote tool that can provide you with a competitive quote in minutes.
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FAQ for scratches covered by car insurance
What should I do if someone scratches my car?
If you notice someone has scratched your car and they're nowhere to be found, document the scene, take photos, look for witnesses, and consider filing a police report (leaving the scene of an accident is a crime). Then, depending on how bad the damage is, decide whether it's worth it to contact your insurance company and file a claim.
How much will it cost to fix a scratch on my car?
The cost of repairs depends on where the scratches are on your car and how deep they go. It’s a good idea to call a few auto body shops to get quotes. If another driver caused the scratches, their liability car insurance may cover the damage.
If you have any questions, contact one of our local branches.
