Does my car insurance cover vandalism?

Key takeaways

• If you have fully comprehensive car insurance, you can usually make a claim for vandalism, but you’ll likely pay an excess and may lose your no-claims bonus

• Vandalism is considered an “at-fault” claim because the insurer can’t recover costs from the vandal

• You could cover the repair costs yourself if they cost less than the excess

Does my car insurance cover vandalism claims?

Yes, if you have fully comprehensive car insurance it will usually cover vandalism claims. But keep in mind that:

• The extent of cover and the amount you can claim will vary depending on your policy and the insurance provider

• You will often have to pay an excess

• You may lose your no-claims bonus (also known as a no-claims discount), although some insurers have a ‘vandalism promise’, which protects this

• Cover can vary depending on the type of damage. For instance, some insurers will cover smashed windscreens regardless of how they got broken

📣 Did you know? Damage caused during an attempted theft accounted for 8%^[1] of insurer Ageas' motor theft claims in 2025.

Does third-party car insurance cover vandalism?

No, third-party only car insurance doesn’t cover vandalism. However, if you have third-party fire and theft you may find you are covered in certain circumstances, such as your car being damaged during an attempted theft.

What do car insurers count as vandalism?

What counts as vandalism can vary depending on your car insurer. But, generally speaking, vandalism – also known as ‘malicious damage’ – simply means deliberate damage to your car that wasn’t the result of an accident.

That can include:

• Slashed or purposefully punctured tyres

• Scratched panels or paintwork, by a key or other sharp object

• Smashed windows – even if nothing was stolen

• Graffiti

• Door mirrors pulled off or broken

• Smashed lights

• Deliberately dented body or panels

📣 Did you know? There were 586,000 incidents of vehicle-related theft and 420,000 cases of criminal damage to a vehicle in England and Wales between April 2025 and March 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics.

How does a car insurance vandalism claim work?

Car insurance claims are either considered:

• ‘At-fault’, meaning the policy holder is responsible for causing the damage

• ‘Non-fault’, meaning there is someone else at fault to recuperate damage costs from

Because vandalism is someone’s fault, but the insurer can’t recover the costs from that person, it has to be classed as at-fault.

Will I have to pay the excess on a vandalism claim?

Yes, most car insurers require you to pay excess on a vandalism claim, even if it’s happened in circumstances they cover.

But check your policy documents to be sure as some insurers do waive the excess if you have a crime reference number.

If your excess is higher than the cost of the repairs it’s better not to claim on your insurance, although your insurer may expect to be informed.

Will a vandalism claim affect my no claims bonus?

Unfortunately, yes, a vandalism claim will most likely affect your no-claim bonus.

However, it’s worth checking your policy and your insurer. Some promise that vandalism won’t affect your no-claims discount.

What should I do if my car is vandalised?

1. Contact the police: Use the non-emergency number (101) or report it on gov.uk. Give them all the details of the incident, and get a crime reference number

2. Take photos: Record the damage from as many angles as you can using a good camera

3. Contact your insurer: Report the incident as soon as possible. You’ll need to give them a crime reference number. Check whether they’ll provide a courtesy car if your car is undriveable

4. Don’t disturb the evidence: Only clean up or move your car when the police confirm it’s okay to do so

Do I have to report vandalism to my car insurer, even if I cover the repair costs myself?

Yes, your car insurance policy may require you to report vandalism and other incidents, even if you don't want to make a claim.

You can still choose to pay for the repairs yourself, and if you do this your no-claims bonus shouldn't be reduced. However, the vandalism may be recorded on your insurance history and could affect your car insurance premium in future.

What happens if my car is written-off by vandalism?

If your car is written-off by your insurer due to vandalism you’ll typically receive a payout for your car’s pre-accident market value, minus your excess and any outstanding finance.

If you have new for old car insurance, you should get a like-for-like brand new model if your car is less than 12 months old and you’re the first registered keeper.

How can I protect my car from vandalism?

There are a few things you can do to help reduce the chances of your car being vandalised: