An outside mirror broken, an antenna snapped off. Catching the perpetrators – hopeless. Are drivers left with damage caused by vandalism?
Bent windshield wipers, smashed windows or ruined paintwork: Which insurance covers what?
Vandalism: what does the insurance cover?
When we talk about damage caused by vandalism, we mean damage caused by willful and malicious actions:
- intentional scratches in the paintwork,
- sheet metal damage caused by violence,
- kinked antennas.
This type of damage is only covered by comprehensive insurance. Liability insurance does not pay here.
Glass breakage, fire damage, theft: partially comprehensive cover can step in
If the car is set on fire or the windows are smashed, the partially comprehensive insurance will cover the costs. In some cases, however, damage caused by theft, which comprehensive insurance actually covers, is not covered either. The partially comprehensive insurance does not even have to pay if the car was demolished out of frustration after a failed attempt at theft.
This is then considered vandalism, which the partially comprehensive insurance does not cover. The partially comprehensive insurance only covers damage that is directly related to the theft – such as damage to the door lock.
Fully comprehensive customers are threatened with a higher classification
But even those who have fully comprehensive insurance are not necessarily better off in the event of vandalism damage: If the fully comprehensive insurance covers this, the vehicle owner must be prepared for a higher classification or a higher deductible. That is why many insured persons take on the costs incurred themselves in order not to jeopardize their no-claims bonus.
A massive garage offers shelter. In addition, garage parkers usually receive a discount of up to 15 percent on the annual fee. Up to a volume of 30 cubic meters, no building permit is usually required.
