Stand back and look at your vehicle. Do you have a number of dents and scratches on it? That is not uncommon, but repairing them can be costly in some cases. 
In some situations, auto insurance can cover the damage repair. In other situations, it will not. The type of insurance you have plays a role in this decision. The type of incident that causes them also matters. Here’s what you need to know.
Were You in an Accident?
If the vehicle has scratches on it, but they are not from a particular incident, car insurance is unlikely to help. If an accident caused them, then there may be coverage available to you. Dents and scratches that occur due to poor maintenance and upkeep on the car do not have coverage. Discuss your incident with your agent. He or she can tell you if the incident has coverage.
What Type of Auto Insurance Do You Have?
Not all coverage applies here. Did someone else cause the damage to your car? If so, their liability insurance may cover it. Yours will not. Did you collide with something causing the damage? Your car insurance will cover this incident if you have collision insurance. Did a tree fall on the vehicle or hail cause the damage? Comprehensive insurance will help in this case. If you only have liability insurance, you may not have any protection from this incident.
What Is Your Deductible?
A deductible is the amount you must pay towards the incident before the insurer makes a payment on a covered claim. Let’s say you have hail damage and dents resulting from it. It will cost $500 for the repairs. If your deductible is $500, the insurer will not pay for the incident. If the deductible is less than this, it will pay the difference. You can set your deductible around the terms you would like. However, you must meet this obligation before any claim will occur.
Dents and scratches can be severe after an accident. If so, they should be a part of your car insurance claim. Discuss all of the damage to your vehicle with your agent by calling 269.441.5156. This is the best way to learn what amount of protection you have. And, adjust your coverage amounts to meet your financial goals going forward. You’ll appreciate having ample protection should you need it later on to file a claim.
Additional Resources: Car Insurance: Liability vs Comprehensive and The Four Important Features of Car Insurance Policies