Does car insurance cover paint jobs?

A nice, clean, shiny exterior can make a car seem much more expensive and valuable. If you want to protect your investment into your vehicle, you may be wondering, does auto insurance cover paint jobs?

It’s not going to be cheap to repaint your vehicle. If you’re in an incident that requires a fresh coat, consult your insurance policy to see how they handle paint replacement. Also, check with more than one local paint shop for an estimate on the average cost to repaint.

Manage your expectations and stay up to date with any local or statewide regulations on car insurance. To find out more on the specific rules of your state, check out our interactive guide on car insurance by state.

Your paint job is one of the first things people will notice about your car. Following an accident, all those scratches and dings quickly affect the aesthetic value of your vehicle. 

To protect your purchase and get the most for your buck, get in touch with the common practices, exclusions, and policies for this level of coverage. 

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Is painting covered under car insurance? 

To put it simply – yes, a paint job will be covered by car insurance. However, the provider will only accept the claim under certain conditions.

Insurers will not cover a paint job under regular wear and tear. That means that if your paint is looking dull after being exposed to the elements, you’re out of luck. Rust, peeling, and other natural deterioration over time is not covered.

In order for your insurer to pay out towards your paint job, you must first carry collision coverage at a minimum. Collision auto insurance is designed to protect you from any costs relating to an accident. See the best collision coverage car insurance companies to find the right fit for you.

If you instead hold a basic insurance policy, you will be left paying for your own paint coverage.

Under standard collision insurance for your vehicle, insurance companies will only cover paint jobs as needed after a crash. This means you only an accident that damages your existing paint will be considered.

Non-collision cases are only protected under comprehensive car insurance coverage or full coverage auto insurance. Comprehensive coverage provides extra protection from damages that are not the driver’s fault.

These situations are known as ‘acts of god’. This includes natural disasters such as flooding, wildfires, hurricanes, and more. ‘Acts of god’ also refers to rioting, theft, and vandalism.

If your paint chipping is a result of any of these occurrences, you can simply file an insurance claim and pay your deductible as usual under comprehensive coverage.

Will the insurance company paint the whole car?

As with any other insurance question, the answer comes down to what is outlined in your policy. Make sure to review your policy frequently to be prepared if you ever must use it.

Coverage is limited to paint jobs required after a collision. If you are found to be at fault in the incident, your insurance company will most likely cover the costs of exterior paint.

This may only cover the areas that were damaged, and not necessarily the entire vehicle. A similar situation will play out if you are not at fault in an accident. The other party’s insurance provider should step up to cover the damage.

In the unfortunate case the other driver was not insured or was underinsured, you will have to either take them to court, pay for it yourself, or use any uninsured motorist coverage included in your insurance policy. For more details, see, the best uninsured motorist coverage car insurance companies.

It is unlikely that your insurance company will cover a full paint job if it’s unnecessary or not a sound financial choice. However, if there is a complication painting the damaged area of your vehicle, you may be able to swing for a full fresh coat.

What insurance companies offer the best coverage for paint jobs?

Finding a great insurance company for a paint job means researching companies with the best histories, services, and policies. Every driver will have a unique set of circumstances that may fit them better to certain companies.

A good collision or comprehensive coverage policy will be best for protecting against paint jobs. These are common policies that are offered by many insurance providers.

The top two insurance providers in the United States are State Farm insurance and GEICO . Do these giants offer great comprehensive coverage? Does State Farm cover paint jobs? How about their competitors?

There are so many questions and options for car insurance companies, it’s easy to get confused or misled.

For more information on State Farm, see State Farm insurance review. And for more information on Geico, see Gecio insurance review and complaints.

Case Studies: Does car insurance cover paint jobs?

Case Study 1: John’s Collision Claim for Paint Job Coverage

John was involved in a collision with another vehicle, which resulted in significant damage to his car’s exterior paint. He contacted his insurance company and filed a claim for the repairs. Since John had collision coverage on his auto insurance policy, the insurance company agreed to cover the cost of repainting his car.

After paying his deductible, John was able to get his car repainted without bearing the full financial burden.

Case Study 2: Sarah’s Comprehensive Claim for Paint Job Coverage

Sarah’s car was parked on the street during a severe hailstorm, causing extensive damage to the paintwork. She contacted her insurance company and filed a claim under her comprehensive coverage.

As comprehensive coverage includes protection against damage from natural disasters, her insurance company agreed to cover the cost of repainting her car. Sarah paid her deductible, and the insurance company took care of the necessary paint job.

Case Study 3: Lisa’s Exclusion for Paint Job Coverage

Lisa noticed that her car’s paint was fading and wanted to get it repainted for aesthetic reasons. However, when she contacted her insurance company, she learned that regular wear and tear or cosmetic enhancements, like a paint job, were not covered under her auto insurance policy.

Lisa had to bear the full cost of repainting her car out of her own pocket, as it was not deemed a necessary repair covered by her insurance.

How much does a paint job cost without insurance? 

Without insurance to cover at least a portion of the cost, paint jobs can get pricey. 

JD Power indicates that the actual costs will vary based on the quality of the paint job, the addition of protective coatings, the type of paint used, and the type of car being painted. 

A full paint job can easily cost several thousands of dollars. A basic touch-up can be expected to cost up to $1,000. There are some simple guidelines when estimating the cost of your fresh coat of paint. 

How much does a touch-up cost on a car? 

A touch-up can cover any small scratches or scrapes on your car’s exterior. These small modifications can still cost quite a bit.

A cost-effective choice would be to go with a basic style of paint, usually synthetic enamel. These treatments are focused on matching the coverage color to the rest of the vehicle.

Basic touch-ups should not be considered long-term fixes. 

How much does a full-body paint job cost on a car? 

A full body repainting will involve sanding down the existing paint, removing any rust, and repainting the entire vehicle for a smooth finish. This is a far more expensive option and includes much higher work and material costs. 

For those willing to do the hard work themselves, it’s relatively simple to pick up some specialty touch-up paint from your local auto body shop. These small samples usually cost less than $50 and can cover small spots and dings in just a few minutes.

The best way to avoid extra costs down the line is to take care of the paint job you have ahead of time and do your best to avoid collisions.

Maintaining quality coverage from a reputable insurance provider will certainly help you on your journey.

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