What to do if someone keys my car

Key takeaways

• If your car has been keyed, report it to the police using the non-emergency number (101). Always get a crime reference number if you plan to claim on your insurance

• Professionally repaired deep scratches to your car can cost anything from £90 - £300

• Check if your policy covers vandalism… but check it’s worth claiming compared with your excess payment and the potential impact on your no-claims discount

• If you know who has keyed your car, it is possible to press charges - check for CCTV footage

Your car has been ‘keyed’ – someone has deliberately run a key or other sharp object over the paintwork.

It one of the most frustrating acts of petty vandalism and now there’s damage to fix, an insurance claim to consider and maybe even, in the back of your mind, the niggling concern that someone could have targeted your car specifically.

Here’s what to do, things to consider and how you can help stop it happening again.

What do I do if someone keyed my car?

If your car has been keyed, you can and should report it to the police as an act of vandalism. Remember to use the non-emergency number (101), not 999.

If you’re thinking of making a claim on your car insurance for the damage, get a crime reference number from the police.

You’ll need to assess the damage done to decide what to do next; whether you want to leave it, repair it yourself, or take it to a professional to sort out.

You should also inform your insurance provider - even if you don’t plan on making a claim - as it’s worth keep them updated on any work or repairs your car needs.

Getting your keyed car repaired

If the damage isn’t too bad, or you’re not too worried about how it looks, you could leave it or fix it yourself with a DIY scratch-repair kit to reduce the visible damage.

However, for deep scratches it’s best to go to a professional, especially if metal is exposed as it could lead to rust or corrosion.

How much will it cost to repair my keyed car?

It varies. DIY scratch repair kits can cost anywhere between £10 and £40, but professional repairs are likely to cost more. Depending on the extent of the damage, you could end up paying from £90 for light surface repairs to £300 for deep paintwork repairs.

Can I repair keyed car damage myself?

Yes. For minor or light scratches you can repair the damage yourself with an off-the-shelf kit – bearing in mind that it probably won’t look as good as a professional job:

• Use warm soapy water to rinse the area free of any dirt or debris that could cause further scratching, then thoroughly dry it

• Apply scratch remover to a pad, cloth or other buffing tool – there may be one in your kit. You’ll need around a 2p coin’s worth, but check the manufacturer guidelines to be sure

• Use a circular motion to rub the scratch remover into the scratch, always in the same direction to evenly cover it

• Clean any excess scratch remover with a microfibre cloth to prevent damage to paintwork

Claiming on car insurance when your car is keyed

If your car insurance policy covers damage from vandalism, you might be covered for keyed car damage. Some, but not all, fully comprehensive car insurance policies offer this as standard or as an optional extra - and third-party coverage won’t cover it at all.

Before you do though, there are a couple of things to weigh up to make sure it’s worth a claim if someone keys your car:

Does claiming for a keyed car affect my no-claims discount?

Maybe. Contact your insurer directly to ask whether a claim for keyed car damage will affect your no-claims discount. There are no hard and fast rules - some insurers will accept it wasn’t your fault, others may not be so understanding.

Can I press charges on someone who keys my car?

Yes. You can press charges on someone who keys your car because it is an act of vandalism - which is a crime. However, this depends on knowing who did it, which can be harder to prove.

Check for any available CCTV footage as a starting point, including asking local business owners or the local council, but remember the request will usually need to come from your lawyer or insurance provider.

Preventing your car from being keyed

If you regularly park on the street, stopping people keying your car can feel impossible. Here’s a few tips that could help stop it happening again:

• If you can, park in a garage or gated carport

• If you’re parking on a public street, try to find somewhere well-lit and relatively busy

• Try to leave a reasonable amount of space between yourself and other vehicles to provide less cover for potential vandals

• Install home security like CCTVs, alarms and lights to deter criminals

• Apply a protective wrap or film to your car’s exterior paintwork to prevent damage

Compare car insurance with MoneySuperMarket

Comparing car insurance quotes on MoneySuperMarket is the best way to browse deals from multiple providers.

All you need to do is enter a few details about yourself, your car and driving history, and you’ll be able to see car insurance deals tailored for you and your vehicle.

Once you’ve found the best quote for you, click on the deal and you’ll go straight to the provider’s website.