If you’re asking, “Does car insurance cover scratches and dents?” or “Can I use car insurance for scratch repairs?” you’re not alone. Minor damages like scratches and dents are common, but navigating insurance policies can be confusing. In Dubai, coverage depends on your policy type, the cause of damage, and timing. This guide answers “does auto insurance cover scratches” and explains when to file a claim, what’s excluded, and how to save money.
Key Takeaways: Does Car Insurance cover scratches and dents in Dubai?
Lookinsure is all about making the best of your time and money; so, here’s a short version (TLDR or Too Long, Didn’t Read) of all the points on car insurance policy in the UAE covering scratches and dents in Dubai.
1: What are the coverage policies that cover scratches and dents?
Collision car insurance and comprehensive car insurance policies
2: When does car Insurance cover scratches and dents?
Usually in such scenarios: Getting keyed, road debris, animal dents, bumper damage
3: When does car Insurance NOT cover scratches and dents?
In cases of wear and tear, having car insurance policies other than comprehensive coverage, intentional dents, out-of-time claims, and some specific locations that are not covered (you can find more info in the article; just scroll down).
How Does Auto Insurance Cover Scratches and Dents?
Can we claim insurance for car dents? And even if possible, is it worth claiming on car insurance for a dent? Inevitable scratches can affect your vehicle’s appearance, and if left untreated, they can reduce the car’s value.
Even though these scratches do not usually affect the car’s performance in particular, no one wants to drive around with a damaged car, no matter how minor.
Accidents such as a kid crashing their bicycle into your trunk, someone scraping or keying your car, something falling on your car and damaging windscreen, or a tiny scratch on your bumper are examples of minor damages that can happen to your vehicle.
These types of losses usually fall into comprehensive insurance coverage or collision insurance coverage. Your insurance provider is supposed to cover any damage that falls under their policy terms.
However, it’s not always a good idea to file an insurance claim immediately. Nevertheless, particular coverage policies cover scratches and dents. Let’s take a look:
Collision Car Insurance
Collision car insurance helps cover the cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle in the event of damage. It is amongst the most important insurance coverages. Most insurers cover minor dents and tears caused by specific incidents under this type of coverage.
Comprehensive Car Insurance
Comprehensive car insurance policy in the UAE is the primary coverage, especially for non-collision damages and minor incidents. We highly recommend getting this type of insurance, as it offers broad protection for any unexpected situation.
When Does Car Insurance Cover Scratches and Dents?
Let’s say you choose to raise a claim for your minor damage. First, you should learn what types of dents fall into this category. For general help regarding how to claim Insurance for a car accident, you can see our post. Here are some types of scratches and dents that car insurance providers in Dubai usually cover for you:
Can I Use Car Insurance for Scratch from Getting Keyed?
Getting keyed is one common car accident, especially if you have an expensive car, or if someone who simply doesn’t like you accidentally walks across your vehicle on the street.
This activity is considered vandalism. Damaging car doors, spray-painting, breaking mirrors, scratching windows, damaging the tires, etc. are also other types of vandalism. Most insurance policies in the UAE cover this type of activity.
Road Debris
Road debris includes rocks, wreckage, garbage, cargo, etc. Either collision or comprehensive car insurance policy in the UAE covers accidents caused by road debris, such as hitting a rock on the road, or other unfortunate incidents, like objects falling on your windshield and damaging it.
Does Auto Insurance Cover Scratches Caused By Animals?
Animals such as deer, stray dogs, and squirrels might cause harm and injury to your vehicle. These injuries are also covered by specific policies. Some of these injuries may not be so minor as well.
Bumper Damage
Scratching your bumper is one of the most common incidents for a driver. You may bump into another vehicle or crash your bumper while parking. Anyhow, your insurance provider covers it for you. In case you bump into another car, your provider also covers the other party.
When Does Car Insurance Not Cover Scratches and Dents?
To answer the question, does car insurance cover scratches and dents? You can look through the items mentioned above. However, those were only a few of the scenarios in which your insurance provider takes action. There are some dents and scratches that a car insurance policy in the UAE does not cover. Let’s take a look:
Wear and Tear
Just like any other thing, a car also wears out and gets old due to usage. Even if you are a careful driver, damage due to frequent usage is inevitable. No insurance provider or their policies cover these damages.
Car Insurance Policy in the UAE Other Than Comprehensive
Having car insurance is mandatory in the UAE, and not having it can result in penalties. However, if you do not have comprehensive coverage or particular policies under collision coverage, your insurance provider does not cover damages that happen to your vehicle! Therefore, there will be no coverage for minor incidents as well.
Intentional Dents
Most of the time, intentional damage to your vehicle is proven, and car insurance never covers this type of damage. Intentional damage includes kicking your vehicle and causing dents.
Late Claims
Timing is one of the most important factors when it comes to raising a car insurance claim. Once the incident is in the past, your insurance company might not cover it or at least pay the actual value.
Most car insurance providers have a specific time frame for accepting claims. Therefore, if you are wondering how to claim car insurance for a dent or whether insurance covers a scratch on a car, first, you need to ensure that the incident is recent.
Does Auto Insurance Cover Scratches in All Locations?
Insurance providers let you know about their covered and non-covered locations. These locations are all mentioned in your particular car insurance policy in the UAE. Therefore, if you are wondering, does car insurance cover dents?
You should consider that damage done to your car outside of those said regions is not covered by your insurance, no matter how major or minor they are. It is essential to pay attention to safety while driving outside your coverage regions. Incidents in those areas can result in huge payments.
Can I Use Car Insurance for Scratch? And Should I?
Raising an insurance claim depends on the type of damage and its costs. Sometimes, even if scratches are included in your policy, it’s smarter not to file an insurance claim.
That is because sometimes, the cost of repairing the damage out of your pocket is much less. In this case, raising a claim might lead to an increase in your premium. Therefore, your final costs would probably add up.
For instance, if repairing a scratch costs AED 150 and your provider asks you AED 500 for your plan, it’s smarter to fix the issue rather than making an insurance claim.
However, in some cases, the cost of repairing the damage might be more than the price of your insurance policy, and your deductible costs less. In this process, pay extra attention to factors that affect car insurance premiums, as they have a considerable influence on how to claim car insurance for own damage.
Therefore, it is best to make an insurance claim and let your insurance cover the damage for you. Here are a few things you’d better consider regarding how does car insurance cover scratches and dents:
Your Insurance Excess
This is the amount you agree to pay your insurance provider for coverage. If your excess is higher than the repair costs, it’s smarter not to file a claim and fix the problem yourself. However, if repairing the damage costs more than your excess, definitely try raising a claim and make sure your insurance covers you. If you are not familiar with excess and how it can reduce your insurance costs, don’t hesitate to read our article about What is the Meaning of Excess in Car Insurance.
How Bad the Damage Is
Other than the costs, some damages are so minor that any mechanic can fix them at a low price, and even if not fixed, the value of your vehicle will not be significantly reduced. However, some sorts of damage need immediate and professional repair. Those damages would be better to raise a claim for.
No Claims Discount
No claims discount (NCD), also known as a no-claims bonus, is a reward given to safe drivers who make no claims within a specified period (usually one year). These discounts can range from 10% to 50%, depending on your policy and the insurer. Paying attention to this factor is also essential. If you have raised no claims in the past couple of months, see if it is worth it to lose your no-claims bonus.
How Can Lookinsure Help You?
Here at Lookinsure, we have gathered the best car insurance policy in the UAE in order to offer you the highest quality services with the most affordable prices. Our insurers offer a wide range of insurance policies for all types of vehicles, and we are sure there is always a suitable option for anyone looking for insurance in the UAE.
As you decide to get insurance from our professional, we ask for details about the type of car you own and your driver’s license in order to offer you the best policy possible. Our no-claims bonus option also motivates drivers to prioritize safety. Also, raising a claim has never been easier. By reporting the accident to us, we take immediate action and guide you through the process.
Many drivers worry about minor incidents that may damage their vehicles and ask, If my car is damaged, does car insurance cover scratches and dents? If you are wondering, can you claim car insurance for scratches? Or, does car insurance cover dents? You should carefully read this article. Here, we tried to answer most of your questions regarding this topic.
As you all know by now, car insurance is among the most essential things you need to get as a driver. Even though car insurance is mandatory in the UAE, there are scenarios in which your insurance provider either does or does not cover the damage.
Final Verdict: Should You Claim Car Insurance for Scratches and Dents?
First of all, it is essential to choose a car insurance policy in the UAE that covers what’s important to you. And secondly, it is essential to raise a claim for issues that are worth it. Some damages are so minor that you’d better take action and fix them yourself. Choosing a reliable and trustworthy insurance provider is one of the best ways to ensure you get good service at a reasonable price. Overall, here are the key things to consider when you ask does car insurance cover scratches and dents:
- Coverage depends on Policy Type: Comprehensive and collision insurance typically cover scratches/dents from vandalism, road debris, or accidents.
- Exclusions Apply: Wear and tear, intentional damage, and claims outside policy zones are not covered.
- Cost vs. Deductible: Minor repairs (e.g., AED 150) may cost less than your excess—avoid claims to protect no-claim discounts.
- Act Fast: Claims have time limits; report incidents promptly.
- Dubai-Specific Rules: Always verify coverage locations and policy terms with your insurer.
Frequently Answered Questions
1: Are scratches and dents covered by car insurance policy in the UAE?
Yes. You can claim insurance for scratches and dents in the UAE. Most insurance policies, especially comprehensive car insurance, also cover small damages. However, it is not always a good idea to claim for minor incidents. Pay attention to the pros and cons of raising a claim for minor damages.
2. If my car is scratched, can I make a claim with my insurance?
Yes. If the cost of repairing the dent is less than your insurance excess, we recommend that you fix the issue yourself and pay out of pocket. However, if it goes over the cost your provider asks for coverage, make an insurance claim, and let your provider cover you.
3: What does scratch and dent insurance cover?
The scratch and dent insurance covers the repair of minor damages and scratches on your vehicle. Some providers also cover minor marks and tears on the interior of your car in their policy. Comprehensive car insurance also covers most of the minor scratches and dents due to accidents.
4: Will car insurance cover paint damage?
Your car insurance provider covers paint damage if you have collision or comprehensive car coverage. However, intentional damage is not covered by most providers.
5: What if someone scratched my car in the parking lot Dubai?
Immediately report the incident to Dubai Police (via their app or on-site) and notify your insurer. If the culprit is identified, their insurance covers repairs. If unknown, your comprehensive insurance may cover it (with excess/deductible). Document damage with photos/CCTV footage. For minor scratches, compare repair costs vs. claiming to avoid premium hikes.
6: Does car warranty cover scratches and dents?
No, standard car warranties (such as bumper-to-bumper or powertrain) typically do not cover scratches or dents. Warranties focus on mechanical or technical defects, not cosmetic damage.
