Will car insurance cover paint damage?

Sometimes — it depends how it happened.

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Peta Taylor

Updated

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Key takeaways

  • You won't be covered if the damage is a result of general wear and tear.
  • You may be covered if you have comprehensive car insurance.
  • There are a few considerations to make before claiming.

Am I covered by car insurance for paint damage?

As a general rule of thumb, car insurance won't cover you for anything that's related to general wear and tear. So if your car is just a bit old and the paint has started to peel, this isn't covered.

However, paint damage will be covered by a comprehensive car insurance policy if the damage occurs as the result of a claimable event. What might that be?

  • An accident where someone's door has flung into yours, causing a scratch.
  • A storm where a tree fell on the car and scraped the paint.
  • A malicious act like vandalism where the paint has been damaged.

Essentially, if the event was unforeseeable — you're likely to be covered.

If the event is down to wear and tear and just general use, you're less likely to be covered.

Will I have to pay my excess for a paint damage claim?

Yes, it's very likely that you'd have to pay your excess for a paint damage claim.

So, with that in mind. Here's what you should consider first:

  • How much is your excess?
  • How much would it cost for you to fix the paint damage on your own, out of pocket?

If the cost of your excess is higher than the quote to fix the paint, then you might be better off sorting the damage without going through your insurance.

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Our expert says

"Before you make a claim, be aware that it'll likely lead to an increase in your next premium at renewal time. If the damage is so substantial that you feel this cost is worth it, then go for it. But if it can be settled on your own, then it may well be cheaper for you to do that."

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Publisher of Insurance

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Peta Taylor is a publisher at Finder, working across all of insurance. She's been analysing product disclosure statements and publishing articles for over 2 years. Peta is passionate about demystifying complex insurance products to help users make well educated decisions with confidence. Peta is part of Finder's insurance awards team and works alongside editorial and insights experts to bring users the best insurance products every year. See full bio

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