Does car insurance cover vandalism?
6 minute read Published on May 21, 2025 by BrokerLink Communications
Dealing with vandalism as a car owner is frustrating, to say the least. A smashed window, slashed tires, or a scratched door—it’s enough to leave you stressed and wondering what to do next. Will your car insurance cover the repairs? Here's what you need to know.
Will my car insurance cover vandalism?
It's possible, but it depends on what type of auto insurance coverage you have. If you're new to car insurance, you may be wondering what my car insurance policy includes. With so many car insurance terms out there, we get that it can get confusing, so let's break it down for you.
In Canada, mandatory car insurance includes liability coverage for third-party injuries and damage, accident benefits, and possibly uninsured motorist coverage, depending on your provincial requirements. But does it cover vandalism?
No, mandatory coverage does not cover vehicle vandalism. If you want your car insurance to include vandalism-related coverage, you'll need to purchase additional coverage known as comprehensive insurance, which is included as part of full coverage auto insurance.
What is comprehensive car insurance?
Comprehensive coverage protects your car from non-collision events like fire, weather damage, falling objects, and vandalism. It’s what you’ll need if someone damages your car intentionally.
If your car gets vandalized, comprehensive insurance can cover the damage after you’ve paid your deductible. It often covers several types of vandalism, including:
- Slashed tires
- Scratched or keyed doors
- Graffiti
- Broken windows, headlights, and mirrors
Keep in mind that if your belongings inside your car were stolen when the vehicle was vandalized, comprehensive car insurance doesn’t cover stolen items. For that, you’ll need to file a claim with your renters or homeowners insurance instead.
To be covered for vandalism, you’ll need to have comprehensive coverage in place before anything happens—you can’t add it retroactively. This coverage doesn’t just help with vandalism; it also covers a stolen car. For big losses, like a stolen car, filing a claim makes sense because the deductible is small compared to the cost of replacing your car.
Now, it's important to note that every car insurance policy, including comprehensive coverage, has exclusions and limits on what’s covered. It’s always a good idea to review your policy closely so you know exactly what’s included—and what’s not.
When should I file a car vandalism claim?
Deciding whether to file a claim isn’t always straightforward. Ultimately, it depends on your specific situation and deductible amount. Getting a repair estimate before filing a claim can help you figure out if it’s worth it.
If the repair costs are less than your car insurance deductible, it’s better to pay out of pocket. For example, if repairs cost $450 and your deductible is $500, it’s better to pay for the repairs out of pocket. Repair costs can vary based on the damage, your car’s make and model, and where the vehicle is located.
However, even if the repair costs are only slightly higher than your deductible, paying out of pocket might still be the better option. While filing a vandalism claim usually doesn't raise your car insurance rates, it's possible it might. Plus, having multiple claims on your claims history could lead to increased rates later on. If you're on the fence about filing a claim, your insurance broker can help you figure out the best option for you.
Will filing a car vandalism claim raise my insurance rates?
It's possible. How much your rate goes up—or if it changes at all—really depends on a couple of factors, like your claims history and your location. The following section will cover each one in detail:
Claims history
If you haven’t filed many claims before, a vandalism claim might not impact your rate much, if at all. But if you’ve made several claims, even small ones, your insurer might see you as a higher risk, which could lead to a bigger increase.
The truth is that filing any car insurance claim can lead to a rate increase. However, vandalism claims under comprehensive coverage usually cause smaller premium hikes compared to at-fault collision coverage claims. While they're both optional types of coverage, there are many differences between collision and comprehensive coverage, one being that collision claims tend to be submitted for a much higher value than comprehensive claims, leading your insurance company to increase your premiums to make up for it.
Location
Additionally, if vandalism or theft is on the rise in your neighbourhood, insurers might adjust rates for everyone to account for the added risk. This could mean higher insurance premiums for you, even if you haven’t filed a claim.
What should I do if my car is vandalized?
If your car has been vandalized, there are a few steps you’ll want to take, like reporting it to the police and deciding whether to file an insurance claim. Here’s a quick guide to help you handle the situation:
File a police report
Reach out to your local police department to file a report. An officer might come by to assess the damage and create an official report. Don’t skip this step—many insurance companies will ask for a police report before they process a vandalism claim. Be sure to give the police your up-to-date contact information so they can keep you in the loop if they find out who’s responsible.
Record the damage
Make sure to document the damage to your car right away. You can do this while waiting for the police to arrive. Snap photos from all angles, and jot down details like where your car was parked and when you noticed the damage. This information will be important if you decide to file an insurance claim. The more detailed you are, the better your chances of getting all the damage covered.
Contact your insurance company
If you have comprehensive coverage, go ahead and file a vandalism claim with your insurance company. During the process, you’ll provide details about the damage, and they’ll let you know what happens next. In some cases, they might send a claims adjuster to take a closer look at your car. If any belongings were stolen from your vehicle, you can file a claim for those, too, if you have home or renters insurance.
Find a repair shop
Decide where you want to have your car repaired. While your insurance company might recommend a specific shop, the choice is yours—they can’t require you to use a particular one. Get quotes from a few different shops and be sure to keep all repair estimates and paperwork to help with your insurance claim. If you find out that your repair costs will be around the same amount as your deductible, don't worry—you can cancel your insurance claim.
Pay your deductible
If you're proceeding with the claim, your insurance company might ask you to pay your deductible directly to the repair shop or reimburse them later. You’ll need to cover it before your insurance kicks in to pay the rest of the repair costs.
How can I prevent vandalism damage to my car?
Vandalism damage can be pricey, whether or not you have comprehensive insurance. While you can’t always prevent it, there are a few steps you can take to lower your risk, such as:
Parking in a garage
Whenever you can, park your car in an indoor garage; most public garages are well-lit and have security cameras, which can help protect your vehicle from vandalism. Plus, if you're parking in a garage at home, you can lock your garage door.
Keeping your vehicle locked
Unlocked cars are an easy target for vandalism, so make it a habit to lock your vehicle every time—even when you're at home.
Removing valuables from inside the car
If you need to leave something valuable in your car, make sure to hide it out of sight to help prevent broken windows and theft. Remember, comprehensive coverage protects your car from damage but doesn’t cover personal items stolen from inside.
Being thoughtful about where you park
If you do have to park on the street or in a parking lot at night, try parking under a lamp post so that it deters vandals from being seen. If possible, park in a private driveway or your assigned parking space.
Get comprehensive vehicle coverage from BrokerLink
The best protection for your car from vandalism is having comprehensive insurance. If you have any questions regarding vandalism and your car insurance, reach out to BrokerLink. We are car insurance experts and our team is ready to help answer any questions you may have or even assist with filing an insurance claim.
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.