What are the replacement criteria for scratches on insured headlights?
3 Answers
Replacement is warranted if the scratch exceeds one-third of the headlight housing thickness, while scratches below one-third are deemed repairable and do not qualify for direct replacement. Below are the treatment methods for headlight scratches: Polishing Repair: Fine-grit sandpaper can be used for sanding, followed by polishing with polishing wax. This method is quick, convenient, and cost-effective, providing good repair results. However, since the headlight surface is typically made of plastic rather than paint, the light transmittance will decrease once the wax components wear off. Steam Repair: This involves using a heater with alcohol as a volatilizer to attach specially processed and formulated materials onto the headlight surface via steam, filling in the scratches. The surface is then sanded to achieve a refurbished effect, with the repair lasting approximately two years.
Just dealt with this recently, and insurance companies are quite particular about scratches. Those fine surface scratches on the headlight cover usually don’t count, but if there’s internal cracking or the housing is split—even just a centimeter—they’ll replace it. Some insurers even cover minor chips at the edges, especially for high-end cars with laser headlights where repairs can cost more than replacements. The worst-case scenario? Aftermarket mods—custom LED strips or patterns won’t be covered; only factory-installed lighting qualifies. Pro tip: Before filing a claim, snap clear photos of cracks and light leaks, and keep your dealership maintenance records handy—it helps.
Our repair shop finds it most troublesome to deal with scratches that aren't deep. Nowadays, car lights are made of polycarbonate plastic, and prolonged exposure to UV rays causes the surface to turn yellow and become blurry. Simple polishing won't last more than six months. Only shallow scratches like those from fingernails can be buffed out. If the internal prism stripes—those grid-like patterns inside the lens—are damaged, the light will immediately scatter. Last week, an Audi had a light corner chipped the size of a grain of rice, and the customer insisted on repairing it. As a result, the light pattern was misaligned, and it failed the annual inspection. Actually, side scratches are the hardest to assess. You have to disassemble it to check if the mounting clips are deformed; otherwise, if reassembled improperly, the seal won't be tight enough, and water will definitely seep in, causing fogging.
