Car insurance and vandalism

Smashed windows, slashed tyres: Finding out your car has been vandalised can come as a nasty shock. But what are the next steps?

We know that every vandalism case is different. So whether you decide to claim on your car insurance or not, we'll take you through your options.

Does car insurance cover vandalism?

This will depend on your car insurance policy. Most comprehensive policies will offer cover for criminal damage to your car. When making a claim on your car insurance, the amount will depend on your provider.

If you've got a third party, fire and theft policy you usually won't be covered for vandalism. But you may still be covered if damages happen while thieves try to take your car.

If you've only got third-party car insurance, you won't have any cover for vandalism.

What do insurers class as vandalism?

Vandalism is often referred to as 'malicious damage.' Meaning it was done deliberately by someone else. Insurers will treat this differently to accidental damage.

Vandalism is a criminal offence that can badly damage your car. Some of the most common types of vandalism are:

• Broken car windows, lights, or your wing mirrors
• Slashing tyres
• Snapped windscreen wipers
• Intentionally scratching the car's paintwork with keys, or other sharp objects
• Graffiti
• Intentionally dented or kicked bodywork

Will I lose my no-claims bonus?

This depends on your policy. Because it's unlikely you'll be able to identify the vandal, insurers will class this type of claim as an at-fault claim. Your insurer won't be able to recover any costs from the vandal, so it'll fall back on them to pay.

This usually means your no-claims bonus is affected, making your premiums rise at your car insurance renewal time.

It's worth checking with your insurer though, as some offer a 'vandalism promise.' This means your no-claims bonus won't be affected after a vandalism claim.

Do I have to pay excess on a vandalism claim?

Yes, if you're making a vandalism claim you'll have to pay the compulsory excess on your policy.

Your insurer may take away your excess from any payout they give. This means it won't be worth making a claim if the excess is more than the cost of repairs.

It's always worth checking your policy details to see if it has cover limits for vandalism. Otherwise you may not get the full amount.

What should I do if my car is vandalised?

• Call the police: You'll want to report what's happened to the police, using the non-emergency 101 phone number. You can also report vandalism to your local council by at GOV.UK.
• Leave things as they are: Don't start clearing up until you've spoken to the police and your insurer. The police will usually advise you when you can start cleaning up.
• Find evidence: Take photos and videos of the damage. You may also want to check CCTV or dashcam footage if you have it. It's also worth asking neighbours and anyone in the local area if they saw or heard anything.
• Contact your insurer: Your insurer will want the crime reference number, so make sure you've got this to hand. You'll also need your policy number to hand. Be ready to give them any details about the incident, including the time, date and location.

Should I report any vandalism to my insurer?

There's technically no rule saying you have to report vandalism to your insurer. If you decide to not report vandalism as an incident, you'd have to cover the cost of repairs yourself. This would mean that your no-claims bonus wouldn't be affected.

However, even if you don't want to make a claim on your policy, you should still report it as an incident your insurer for their records. Every insurer is different, so it's important to check their T&Cs to see what their policy is on reporting vandalism to your vehicle.

How to reduce the risk of your car being vandalised

Criminal damage is often something that's hard to predict or avoid. But there are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of your car being vandalised:

• Remove valuables: Removing valuables from your car means your vehicle is less attractive to thieves.
• Park in well-lit areas: Make sure your car is parked in a safe and secure area. Take a look at our guide on where you should park your car at night. You can also go to Park Mark to find safe parking spots that have been recommended by police.
• Use your drive or garage: Keeping your car close to home is a great deterrent for thieves and vandals. You can buy motion sensors for your home that light up.
• Invest in security measures: Alarms, CCTV, and GPS trackers are all great ways to maximise your security. If the vandalism happens while you're driving, a dashcam can help with the insurance claim afterwards.
• Tuck in wing mirrors: Wing mirrors that are sticking out might be more easily kicked in or smashed.
• Don't park too close to other cars: Not leaving enough space could increase the risk of scratches and scrapes if another car bumps into you.