Auto & Mobility
Car Insurance (Comprehensive Cover)
car vandalism fully comprehensive
Car Vandalism: Comprehensive Insurance as Your Shield against Malicious Destruction – How to Act Correctly!
A deep scratch in the paintwork or a broken side mirror – vandalism to your car is more than just a nuisance. It often means high costs and a lot of effort. However, with the right insurance and knowledge of the correct procedure, you can limit the damage.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The comprehensive insurance covers most vandalism damages, often excluding tyre damage; an excess is common.
Report vandalism damage to the police and your insurance company immediately (usually within a week) and document everything accurately.
The settlement of vandalism damage through comprehensive insurance results in a reduction of the no-claims bonus class; for minor damage, paying for it yourself might be cheaper.
Understanding Vandalism to Your Car: What Your Comprehensive Insurance Covers
Vandalism refers to the deliberate damage to someone else's property by third parties. Typical car damages include paint scratches, often caused by a key, or dents from kicks. Your fully comprehensive insurance covers most of these damages. The partial coverage insurance does it differently. An exception is often tyre damage; here, fraud attempts are not uncommon. This results in over 200 million euros of damage annually in Germany.
Report damage: Resolution in seven days
Have you discovered vandalism damage? Take immediate action! Report the damage to your insurance, usually within a week. Document the damage in detail with photos from various perspectives. Always file a report with the police as well. This is often a prerequisite for the insurance claim. An initial call to 110 is sufficient. The average processing time is often just a few days.
Here's how to proceed step by step:
A structured approach helps you handle the damage efficiently:
Photograph the damage immediately: Take at least five pictures from different angles.
Inform the police: File a report against unknown persons (emergency number 110).
Contact the insurance: Report the damage by phone or online, usually within seven days.
Fill out the damage form: Provide all information truthfully and completely.
Obtain a cost estimate: Have a garage estimate the repair costs.
Coordinate with the insurance: Do not commission repairs without approval from the insurer.
Check the deductible: Clarify the amount of your contractually agreed deductible.
These steps ensure prompt processing by your insurer.
Scope of fully comprehensive insurance: More than just scratches
The comprehensive insurance covers costs for many acts of vandalism. These include scratched paint, broken windows, detached mirrors, and antennas. Glass breakage is often part of the partial coverage. Dents in the body or graffiti are typical vandalism damages. Your comprehensive insurance also covers these damages. Repair costs can quickly reach four-digit amounts. Important: The damage must not be self-inflicted. The comprehensive insurance also applies if the perpetrator escapes unidentified. This applies to over 90 percent of cases.
Third-party, fire and theft vs. comprehensive: The key difference in cases of vandalism
Comprehensive insurance provides very limited coverage for vandalism damage. Typically, only glass breakage, such as smashed windows, and sometimes fire damage are covered. Comprehensive insurance does not cover scratches, dents, or kicked-off mirrors. For these, you will necessarily need a fully comprehensive insurance policy. A fully comprehensive claim due to vandalism often leads to a downgrade in the no-claims discount class. For minor damages under 1,000 euros, it may therefore be sensible to cover the costs yourself.
Excess and No-Claims Discount: Keeping Costs in Mind
Fully comprehensive insurance policies usually include an excess. This is often between 150 and 500 euros. You bear this amount yourself in the event of a claim. Settling a vandalism damage claim through fully comprehensive insurance will result in a downgrade of your no-claims class (SF class). This means higher premiums in the following year. Our expert tip: Carefully calculate whether it is worthwhile to report minor damages. Self-payment is often cheaper in the long run. A downgrade can increase premiums by up to 30 percent.
Prevention: How you can better protect your vehicle
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as 100% protection against vandalism. However, you can minimise the risk. Park your vehicle on well-lit and busy streets whenever possible. A garage or supervised parking area offers the best protection. They reduce the risk by an estimated 70%. Avoid parking in areas known for vandalism. This is especially true during major events. An alarm system can be a deterrent. Installation costs start at around 200 euros. Consider when comprehensive insurance might no longer be worthwhile if your vehicle is older.
Conclusion: Well insured and acted correctly with car vandalism
Vandalism to your car is an annoyance. A comprehensive insurance policy can cushion the financial impact. It is crucial to have a thorough understanding of your policy and to follow the correct procedures in the event of a claim. Prompt reporting within seven days, complete documentation, and a police report are your most important tools. For smaller damages, consider whether it might be more beneficial to pay out of pocket. This can help avoid a downgrade in your no-claims discount. Also, think about how long you should keep your car fully insured. With this information, you are well-prepared. Request your personalised risk analysis now! Have your insurance status checked for free and receive specific suggestions for optimisation.
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FAQ
What exactly does my fully comprehensive insurance cover in the event of vandalism?
Your fully comprehensive insurance generally covers costs for wilful damage such as scratches, dents, torn-off mirrors or antennas, and graffiti. Pure tyre damage is often excluded. You can find the exact conditions in your General Terms and Conditions for Motor Vehicle Insurance (AKB).
What should I do if my car has been vandalised?
Document the damage immediately with photos. Report the incident to the police (file a report) and your insurance company without delay, usually within seven days.
Is it always worth claiming for vandalism damage through fully comprehensive insurance?
Not necessarily. Since a claim can lead to a downgrade of your no-claims bonus, it might be cheaper to pay for smaller repairs yourself (e.g., under €1,000) to avoid premium increases.
What is the difference between third-party, fire and theft, and fully comprehensive insurance in the case of vandalism?
Third-party, fire and theft insurance usually only covers glass breakage and fire damage due to vandalism. Fully comprehensive insurance also covers wilful damage such as scratches and dents.
How can I prevent vandalism to my car?
Whenever possible, park in well-lit areas or garages. Avoid known high-risk locations. An alarm system can also act as a deterrent. However, there is always a residual risk.
Who bears the burden of proof for vandalism damage?
As the policyholder, you must prove the vandalism damage. This means you need to demonstrate that there has been intentional or malicious action by a third party. A police report and photos are very important in this matter.
