does insurance cover rock chips in paint

Does Car Insurance Cover Rock Chips in Paint?

Getting those inevitable rock chips on your car’s paint can be annoying and unsightly While a few small chips here and there may not seem like a big deal, over time they can spread and cause more extensive damage if left untreated So does car insurance cover repairing rock chips in your paint?

The answer depends on a few key factors:

• The type of auto insurance coverage you have
• Whether the rock chip damage is considered minor or more severe
• Your insurance deductible amount

In this article, we’ll break down exactly how rock chips fall under auto insurance, and how to get the repairs covered by your provider.

What Causes Rock Chips in Car Paint?

Rock chips (also called stone chips) are small dings pits or cracks in the paint that are caused by rocks or road debris hitting the car. As you drive on the road, loose bits of gravel, rocks, and other hard materials can get kicked up by the tires of vehicles in front of you and collide with your car’s exterior.

While a single small rock chip may seem harmless, they add up over time and can lead to:

• Rust and corrosion as moisture seeps underneath the compromised paint
• The spread of cracks and peeling as the paint is further weakened
• An unsightly and damaged appearance

That’s why it’s important to repair rock chips as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that the damage will worsen.

Will Car Insurance Cover Rock Chip Repairs?

Many car owners wonder if they can file a claim with their insurance provider to cover rock chip repairs. Here’s how it typically works:

• If you have comprehensive coverage, rock chips will generally be covered. Comprehensive insurance pays for damage to your car that is not a result of a collision, including vandalism, weather events, fire, and flying debris like rocks.

• If you only have liability insurance, rock chips will not be covered. Liability insurance only pays for damage you cause to others and does not cover repairs to your own vehicle.

So comprehensive car insurance is the key to getting rock chips fixed. Without it, you’ll be paying for the repairs completely out of pocket.

Factors That Determine Coverage:

While comprehensive insurance generally covers rock chips, there are a few other factors that come into play:

• Severity of the damage – Minor chips and dings with no visible effect on the deeper paint layers have the best chance of being covered. But if the damage has removed chunks of paint and spread cracks over a large area, your insurer may deem it excessive wear and tear.

• Your deductible amount – You will need to pay the comprehensive deductible first before coverage kicks in. If your deductible is $500 and the chips can be fixed for $200, you won’t get any payout from the insurance company.

• Number of existing rock chip claims – Insurers keep track of your claims history. If you’ve filed multiple small rock chip claims within a short period of time, they may deny coverage due to the frequency.

Tips for Getting Rock Chip Damage Covered

Here are some good practices that can help ensure your auto insurance provider will pay for rock chip repairs:

• Get comprehensive coverage – This is the only way rock chips will be covered. It’s just a few dollars more per month than liability only.

• Keep your deductible low – Opt for a $200 or $500 deductible rather than $1000 or higher. You’ll have lower out-of-pocket costs for small repairs.

• Fix chips as soon as possible – Don’t wait for the damage to spread. Early intervention keeps repair costs down.

• Photograph the damage – Document the chips with clear photos showing the location but not an excessive number of chips.

• Choose an approved repair shop – Insurers like working with certain auto body repair partners. Going out-of-network can complicate the process.

• Be honest on the claim details – Provide accurate descriptions of what caused the damage. Exaggerating or obscuring details can get your claim denied.

Average Cost to Repair Rock Chip Damage

Just how much does it cost to fix those annoying rock chips? Prices can range quite a bit based on the extent of the damage:

• $50 to $100 – Minor touch up of 1-2 small chips using paint pens.

• $100 to $300 – Repairing moderate rock chip damage across a small area.

• $300 to $800 – Larger areas of paint chipping spanning a few panels or sections of the car. May require full sanding and repainting for best results.

• $800+ – Severe rock chip damage with deep gouges into the metal underneath. Extensive body work and paint repairs needed.

Keep in mind these prices can vary a lot by your location and the auto body shop doing the work. The make and model of car also plays a role, as luxury or performance brands often have specialized paint that is more costly to match and apply.

Insurance Claim Tips for Rock Chip Repairs

Dealing with car insurance providers to get rock chip damage covered takes some finesse and diligence. Follow these tips when starting your claim:

• Act quickly to prevent further spreading of the chips and obtain an accurate repair estimate.

• Thoroughly document the damage with clear, close-up photos from multiple angles.

• Note the exact circumstances and cause of damage—for rock chips, it’s critical to prove they were caused by debris, not collision or vandalism.

• Obtain a detailed estimate from your preferred auto body shop, specifying the repair techniques needed like chip filling, spot painting, clear coat application, etc.

• Provide all necessary documentation to your insurance adjuster like photos, the written repair estimate, and your account of how the damage occurred.

• Be cooperative with your adjuster’s questions and willing to share specifics about the damage. But don’t voluntarily offer excessive details that could give them a reason to deny your claim.

• Pay your comprehensive deductible promptly once your claim is approved so repairs can proceed.

• Follow up with the auto body shop on claim status and completion date to get your car looking good as new again.

Rock Chips Versus Collision Damage Claims

It’s important to understand the key differences between rock chip claims and collision damage claims in terms of dealing with insurance:

• Rock chips require comprehensive coverage, while collision insurance covers crash-related body damage.

• Rock chips are not associated with accident reports, liability disputes, or premium hikes. Collisions can involve all of those hassles.

• The repair process for rock chips is fairly straightforward. Collision repairs are a major production involving external auto damage appraisers.

• There is minimal investigation needed for chips—just confirm comprehensive coverage and provide photos. Collision repairs undergo scrutiny for fraud indicators and claim validity.

• Rock chip claims have no impact on your policy premiums or insurability. Too many at-fault collisions can make your insurance prohibitively expensive.

The Bottom Line

Rock chips in the paint may seem like nothing more than an aesthetic nuisance. But addressing them promptly with your insurance provider can prevent further deterioration and save you money in the long run. With comprehensive auto insurance coverage, those pesky rock chips from road debris can be repaired affordably so your car maintains its value and appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some commonly asked questions about rock chips and auto insurance:

Will insurance cover a chipped windshield?

Chipped or cracked windshields are covered under comprehensive insurance, similar to rock chip damage. Just pay your deductible and your insurer will replace the damaged windshield.

How many rock chips determine a repair?

There’s no set number of rock chips required to justify an insurance claim. Even a single large chip may warrant repair. Generally for multiple smaller chips, 5-10 in a concentrated area is a reasonable threshold for seeking coverage.

Can I get a rental car while rock chip repairs are done?

You typically need rental car reimbursement coverage to get a rental vehicle paid for. This is an add-on to standard policies. For minor rock chip work taking just a few days, a rental may not be covered.

What is the best way to prevent rock chips?

Prevention methods for rock chips include regular waxing/sealing, using touch up paint on chips quickly, maintaining safe following distance from other vehicles, and installing protective items like bug deflectors and hood guards.

What does comprehensive insurance not cover?

Comprehensive excludes mechanical failure, collisions, and damage from lack of maintenance. Wear and tear, glass cracks, and theft or vandalism with no evident cause are often excluded too.

Is it worth fixing rock chips?

Fixing rock chips can prevent further cracking and deterioration of the paint. It preserves the car’s cosmetic appeal. But for an older high-mileage vehicle, extensive chip repair may not improve resale value enough to justify the cost.

Can I use my health insurance instead?

No, automobile damage of any kind would never be covered under a health insurance policy. Only valid auto insurance policies from an insurer licensed for motor vehicles will cover rock chips.

How can I prevent rock chips cheaply?

Cheaper prevention methods include maintaining a safe following distance from other cars to avoi