Can touch-up paint be covered by insurance?
2 Answers
Whether touch-up paint can be covered by insurance depends on the size of the scratch. Whether a car scratch can be covered by the vehicle scratch insurance depends on the size, area, and depth of the scratch. If it exceeds the concept of a scratch, scratch insurance cannot be applied, and instead, vehicle damage insurance should be used. Scratch insurance is cumulative compensation: Scratch insurance is cumulative compensation. As long as it is within the claim limit, regardless of the number of claims, there is a certain deductible for scratch insurance, and the insurance company will not compensate for amounts below a certain threshold. Whether it is more appropriate to file an insurance claim or to repair it yourself should be decided based on the above analysis. Different definitions of vehicle status for compensation: Scratch insurance defines the vehicle status for compensation as stationary, meaning damage suffered by the vehicle while stationary. Vehicle damage insurance defines its compensation as occurring while driving or moving, meaning damage caused by the vehicle while not stationary.
I had a small scratch on my car's rearview mirror before, and it bothered me so much that I wondered if I could file an insurance claim. Honestly, it depends. If the touch-up is due to an accident—like someone bumped into your car while parking or you hit something while driving—and you have collision coverage, then the insurance can cover it. But if it's just a minor scratch from daily wear and tear or you accidentally rubbed it yourself, insurance usually won't cover it because it's not considered accidental damage. I remember last spring, my car was scratched by someone while parked on the roadside, and when I reported it, they said it wasn't covered under the policy—I had to pay for the touch-up myself. The cost for touch-ups is usually low, just a few hundred bucks, and if you force an insurance claim, the deductible might even exceed the repair cost, not to mention a potential premium hike next year. I'd suggest checking your policy terms first or calling customer service to clarify before taking action. Some people opt for minor damage coverage as an add-on, but that costs extra—whether it's worth it depends on your budget. In short, touch-ups aren't a priority for insurance unless it's a major incident.
