Does auto insurance cover vandalism?
Vandalism — keyed paint, slashed tires, broken glass — is covered under comprehensive coverage, so you're covered only if you carry comprehensive.
What flips the answer
- Covered when
You carry comprehensive coverage and the repair cost exceeds your deductible.
- Not covered when
You carry liability-only coverage — comprehensive is what pays for vandalism.
- Not covered when
The repair costs less than your deductible — you'd pay it entirely yourself.
Comprehensive coverage handles malicious damage from vandalism: keyed panels, spray paint, slashed tires, smashed windows, or a broken mirror. It's the same optional coverage that pays for theft and weather. Liability coverage doesn't apply, and collision only covers impact-with-object or another vehicle.
Because it's a comprehensive claim, your deductible applies. If the repair costs less than the deductible, filing gains you nothing; larger vandalism repairs above the deductible are paid by comprehensive.
Filing a police report is typically expected for a vandalism claim and helps document the loss. A single not-at-fault vandalism claim is less likely to affect your rate than an at-fault accident, though that varies by insurer and state.
That's the general answer. Yours is written in your actual policy.
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