Does car insurance cover vandalism?

You walk up to your car and your heart sinks — someone has vandalized it. Maybe there’s a spiderweb of cracks across your windshield, ugly scratches down the side or your tires are sitting flat on the pavement. It’s enough to ruin anyone’s day. But here’s the silver lining: if you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy, you should be able to file a claim for the damage. That said, if the cost to fix the damage is minimal — especially if it’s lower than your deductible — you’re probably better off paying for it out of pocket.

What is auto vandalism?

Car vandalism involves any deliberate damage to your vehicle, and while it’s frustrating to deal with, having comprehensive coverage can help soften the monetary blow. Here’s what you should know about common types of vandalism:

• Paint and body damage: From malicious key scratches to unwanted graffiti, exterior damage is one of the most common forms of vandalism. While minor scratches might buff out with professional detailing, deeper damage often requires costly bodywork or panel replacement — something your comprehensive coverage can help with.
• Broken glass and lights: Shattered windows, smashed mirrors or damaged headlights aren’t just cosmetic issues — they’re serious safety concerns. This damage typically requires complete replacement to ensure your vehicle is safe and legal to drive, which can add up quickly without proper coverage.
• Tire damage: Finding your tires slashed or stolen leaves you stranded and facing unexpected expenses. Beyond replacing the tires themselves, you might need towing services, which may be available through your auto policy if you have roadside assistance coverage. 

Does car insurance cover vandalism?

Yes, car insurance typically covers vandalism damage — provided you have comprehensive coverage on your policy. While collision coverage helps repair your car after accidents with other vehicles or objects, comprehensive coverage steps in for non-collision incidents like vandalism, theft and weather damage.

Understanding these differences can help you make better decisions about your coverage needs. Here is how the two compare: 

While comprehensive coverage isn’t mandatory unless you’re financing or leasing your vehicle, it could still be a smart investment — especially if you live in areas with higher vandalism rates or extreme weather conditions.

Also, keep in mind that neither comprehensive nor collision coverage protects personal items stolen from your car — that’s where your renters or homeowners insurance comes in. If you are unsure about the depth of your current coverage, talking to your insurance agent can help you find some clarity.

Do I have to pay a deductible if my car is vandalized?

If your car insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, it will cover damage caused by vandalism minus your car insurance deductible. Depending on your state and insurance provider, a comprehensive deductible can range from zero to $2,500. The most common option selected is usually between $250 and $500.

If you aren’t sure whether your policy includes comprehensive coverage, check the policy details listed on your declarations page, which usually appears at the beginning of your insurance policy packet. You can also call your agent or insurance company to clarify what is covered.

How to file a vandalism claim

Insurance claims for vandalism should be filed as soon as possible after you notice the damage. You may need to file a police report, though, before filing a claim with your insurer. To make sure the claims process goes smoothly, it’s important to know the general steps involved in filing a car vandalism claim.

• Call the police

  When you discover your car has been vandalized, prioritize your personal safety before taking any action. Since vandalism is a criminal offense, your next step should be contacting local law enforcement to file a report. This official documentation isn’t just for police records — many insurance companies require a police report when processing vandalism claims.

  Take these steps to help with filing a claim online or in person with the police:

  • Take detailed photos from multiple angles — capture both close-ups of specific damage and wider shots of your entire vehicle.
  • Write down notes about all visible damage, including when you discovered it and any relevant details about the incident.
  • Check if any security cameras in the area might have captured the vandalism.
  • Start your claim by calling your agent or using your insurance company’s mobile app or website, where you can likely upload photos and documentation directly.
  • Save copies of the police report and any other relevant documents for your records.
  • Consider getting repair estimates from trusted auto body shops in your area.

• File a police report

  The police department may or may not send someone to the scene. If they do, they may want to inspect your vehicle. If not, you may need to file the police report by phone or online. Be completely honest and give as many details as you can. Ask for a copy of the report, as you may need to give it to your insurance claim representative.

• Contact your auto insurer

  You should contact your auto insurer to file the claim as soon as possible. This can usually be done over the phone, and many insurers have mobile apps or online tools that allow claims filing. The insurer will likely ask for the date and time of the incident, where the damage is located on the car, where the car was parked and the police report number. It is helpful to have this information ready when filing the claim.

• Meet with the claims adjuster

  Vandalism claims often require an inspection by a claims adjuster, so you will probably need to set up a time for them to view the vehicle. The adjuster will take note of the damage and explain the next steps in the claim process.

• Have the car repaired

  Once your insurance claim gets approved, you’ll need to decide where to fix your car. Insurance companies often have a network of “preferred vendors” — repair shops they regularly work with. These facilities typically offer streamlined repairs, direct billing to your insurer and guaranteed work. While these affiliations can make the process easier, remember that you have the right to choose any legitimate repair shop you prefer.

  If you decide to use a shop outside your insurance company’s trusted network, be prepared for the possibility of encountering a few extra steps. The repair process might move more slowly since your insurer will need to review and approve the repair estimate. The work may not be guaranteed by your insurer, and if the shop’s costs exceed what your insurance company approves, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket. That’s why it’s important to ask for a detailed estimate upfront and maintain clear communication with both your insurer and the repair facility.

Am I required to report damage from vandalism to my insurance company?

The decision to file an insurance claim for vandalism is personal and depends on several factors. Unlike car crashes that may involve property damage or injuries, you are not legally required to contact the police or your insurance company. However, if you have a car loan or lease your vehicle, you are likely contractually obligated to repair it.

Another factor to consider is the amount of your comprehensive deductible versus the repair costs. If repairs are not cost-prohibitive, you can forgo using insurance and pay for the repairs yourself. Also, if the repair costs are lower or somewhat even with your deductible, filing a claim wouldn’t benefit you since the cost would be the same.

Does vandalism raise your insurance rates?

Any car insurance claim could potentially raise your insurance rates, but comprehensive claims for vandalism typically trigger much smaller increases than, say, a collision claim for an at-fault accident. If and how much your insurance goes up depends on multiple factors, including your insurance claims history and your insurer’s underwriting process.

Drivers who have filed several claims (small or otherwise) are likely to be deemed “risky” and may see a bigger increase.

A good example is the sudden increase in the theft of Kias and Hyundais that began in 2022 after a social media video showed how easy it is to steal these vehicles due to their lack of an engine immobilizer — a standard manufacturer-installed theft deterrent in most cars sold in the U.S. in the past decade. Some carriers raised comprehensive rates significantly for affected models or stopped insuring these vehicles altogether. 

Even if you’ve never personally filed a vandalism claim, a high rate of vandalism or theft in your ZIP code could cause your rates to be higher. 

Frequently asked questions

• My car was vandalized; will insurance cover it?

  Damage caused by vandalism is not covered by your car insurance unless your policy includes comprehensive coverage when the damage occurs. You cannot add comprehensive to your policy retroactively. It’s considered insurance fraud to add coverage after an accident or other vehicle loss and then file a claim for damage that occurred before the policy was effective. If you’re concerned about the risk of vandalism damage or other non-collision losses like theft, fire and weather hazards occurring in the future, it may be worth adding comprehensive coverage to your policy.

• How much does full coverage insurance cost?

  The average cost of car insurance in the U.S. is $2,638 per year as of January 2025. Full coverage typically includes your state’s required liability coverage plus collision and comprehensive insurance. In contrast, minimum coverage costs an average of $767 per year. However, the cost of your full coverage auto insurance policy will likely differ from the average, as car insurance rates are based on a range of factors, including the car you drive, your driving record, your location and more. If you’re trying to find the best car insurance policy at the most affordable price, it may benefit you to shop around and get quotes from several different insurance companies to compare costs and coverage options.

• What incidents does comprehensive auto insurance cover?

  Comprehensive coverage provides protection for a wide range of events. If your auto policy includes comprehensive coverage, your insurance may cover damage resulting from natural disasters, fire, riots, vandalism, theft, falling objects and impacts with animals on the road. Each company’s coverage may differ slightly — for instance, some may include cracked windshields while others may not — so talk to your agent to clarify the specific coverage types included in your policy.

• What are some tips to help prevent auto vandalism?

  Vandalism is often a crime of opportunity, meaning that preventing it begins with reducing the opportunity for it to occur. Here are some tips to help protect your vehicle from vandalism:

  • Always choose a garage or driveway for parking your car if possible. Additionally, park in areas with good lighting and try to park near other vehicles.
  • When unoccupied, do not leave valuables clearly visible on your car seats, such as a phone, purse or wallet.
  • Consider investing in a car alarm system.
  • Remember to remove all belongings from your car and to lock it upon parking.

• What should I do if my car window is broken?

  If your car window is broken, your first instinct might be to clean up the glass — but resist the urge unless it poses an immediate safety hazard. If you intend to file an insurance claim for vandalism, you’ll want to first call the police. A police report and pictures of the incident are typically required as part of the claim-filing process. Once you’ve appropriately documented the incident, then you can, and should, clean up the glass so that no cars are damaged and no people are injured.