Scratches and dents can happen anytime, anywhere. Sometimes we don't even know how they happened or who did it. But when your ride suffers a scratch, we know it can be upsetting!
Common causes of car scratches and dents
Vandalism and malicious damage
Unfortunately, car vandalism can be a problem here in New Zealand. You probably know someone who's had their car keyed, graffitied, or even had eggs thrown at it!
Parking lot incidents and hit-and-runs
Parking lots are common spots for car prangs. It's frustrating when inconsiderate drivers knock their door into yours, a wayward trolley collides with your car, or someone backs into you and does a hit-and-run. Even when you're parked on the side of the road, you're at risk of incidents. Read our tips for the best places to park your car.
Weather and environmental damage
Some things are outside our control - like falling branches and hail. And sometimes your car is simply parked in the wrong place at the wrong time, making it susceptible to Mother Nature!
So, can I claim insurance for car scratches or dents?
If you have Tower Comprehensive car insurance, our highest level of cover, you'll be able to claim for scratches and dents to your car.
What your policy doesn't cover
Keep in mind that wear and tear, loss caused by sunlight, depreciation, or unrepaired damage is not covered under our comprehensive policy. Make sure you read the policy wording to understand the terms, conditions, limits and exclusions that apply.
For third party, fire and theft and third party insurance we'll repair your car (up to $4,000) if you can identify the person at fault, the fault was more than 50% theirs, and they're uninsured.
Is it worth claiming insurance for minor scratches and dents?
The decision to claim on scratches and dents will largely depend on how minor or significant the damage is. You have three options: make a claim through your insurance company, find someone to repair it, or fix it yourself.
Your excess plays a big role
You'll need to weigh up how much your excess is (what you have to pay if you make a claim) versus the cost to repair. Get a couple of repair quotes and compare, before you decide to make a claim.
Check your excess in My Tower
If you're a Tower customer, you can check how much your excess is in our online portal My Tower. The good news is, you may not need to pay an excess if you can identify the person at fault, and if the fault was more than 50% theirs.
How to claim insurance for scratches and dents
If you've decided to make a claim for the damage, it's easy to do it online in My Tower (you can save an average of five minutes versus over the phone!). You can register here if you haven't already.
To help us process the claim faster, have this information ready:
- Photos of the damage.
- The contact details, including name, phone number, email address, and the vehicle registration number of anyone involved, if you have it.
- Your police file number if you reported the incident.
Preventing scratches and dents on your car
There are products available that may help to prevent pesky scratches and dents, such as a paint protection system, ceramic coatings, a bonnet protector, or a car cover when parked at home. Talk to your local auto shop to find out the best way to protect your car.
It's also a good idea to wash your car regularly to prevent the buildup of dirt. Polishing and waxing is a great way to keep the paint in tip-top shape.
If you need insurance to cover future scratches and dents, get a quick quote here. If you already have a third party, fire and theft, or a third party only policy, it's easy to upgrade to comprehensive in My Tower for some more peace of mind.
The links we provide to third-party websites are for your convenience and do not constitute any endorsement or authorisation by us. The information provided on this page is general in nature and is not intended to be professional or legal advice. Tower does not accept any liability for the accuracy or content of information on this website that belongs to third parties or on any third-party website.
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