Most people who key a car are angry at someone or something, and your car was the nearest target. Parking disputes, jealousy, grudges and thrill-seeking come up again and again, but plenty of keyings are random.
The damage is cosmetic, so the car is safe to drive. Report it anyway. A police report makes an insurance claim easier, and a scratch through to bare metal will rust if you leave it.
What does keying a car mean?
Keying a car means dragging a key, or any sharp metal object, along the paint on purpose to scratch it. It's vandalism, not an accident, and it usually leaves a long, thin line down one side of the car.
Key lines are usually deep. AutoBodyShopNear says they tend to cut through to primer or bare metal and run the length of a panel, which is why they cost more to fix than an everyday scratch.
Why would someone key my car
Psychologists interviewed by Drive point to anger and a feeling of being wronged. Max von Sabler, a clinical psychologist, describes vandals who feel "powerless or overlooked" and use damage to retaliate or assert themselves.
The common triggers they list:
- A perceived slight. Parking too close, taking "their" spot, a road-rage moment. Clinical psychologist Dr Kayleigh Young names parking too close as a typical trigger.
- Jealousy of the car. A new or expensive car draws resentment, and experts link some keying to frustration about money and status.
- A personal grudge. An ex, a neighbor, a coworker. If only your car on the street was hit, this is more likely.
- Thrills and peer pressure. The Australian Psychological Society's president links some keying to young people chasing excitement or social media attention.
Neighborhood feuds are common too. In one case reported by Global News, a Vernon, British Columbia, family had several vehicles keyed over months, and the owner believed it was someone upset about street parking. Video caught the suspect but police hadn't identified him.
You'll rarely find out who did it or why. Footage is your best chance.
My car got keyed, what do I do
Document first, then report, then decide on the claim. Don't wash or polish the scratch before you've photographed it.
The Zebra recommends photographing the damage from several angles before you move the car, then filing a police report with your license, registration, and the time and place. Police may not come out, but the report number matters to your insurer. Ask neighbors or nearby businesses for camera footage the same day, before it gets recorded over.
Keyed car insurance: should you claim
Comprehensive coverage pays for keying, minus your deductible. Liability-only policies don't cover it at all, The Zebra says.
Whether to claim comes down to the repair quote against your deductible. ValuePenguin suggests paying yourself if the repair is only a little above the deductible, if the car is worth little, or if you've claimed in the past one to two years.
The rate hit is usually small. The Zebra's research puts a comprehensive claim at about $36 more per six-month policy, or about $72 a year, and notes some insurers don't raise rates for comp claims at all. Over three years that's roughly $216, so a $600 repair on a $500 deductible isn't worth claiming.
If you know who did it, you can sue them in small claims court for the repair cost (ValuePenguin). In California, vandalism under $400 is a misdemeanor and $400 or more can be charged as a felony, and judges typically order full restitution, according to Esfandi Law Group's summary of Penal Code 594.
What it costs to fix a keyed car
It depends on how deep the key went and how many panels it crossed. ValuePenguin's per-panel figures are below.
Scratch depth | How to tell | Typical fix | Cost per panel |
|---|---|---|---|
Clear coat only | Fingernail doesn't catch | Polish or wet sand | About $150 to $300 at a shop, or DIY |
Into the color coat | Fingernail catches, no grey or metal | Spot repaint and blend | About $400 to $1,000 |
Primer or bare metal | Grey or shiny metal visible | Fill, prime, repaint | About $800 to $1,500 |
Several panels | Line runs down the side | Multiple panel repaints | Substantially more |
A long key line down one side often crosses a fender, two doors and a quarter panel, which is why keyed car quotes climb fast. Metallic and pearl paints also cost more. In the UK, Bumper puts typical keyed repairs at £80 to £150 for light scratches and £400 to £1,000-plus for deep or multi-panel damage.
For more on pricing paint damage, see our guide on how much it costs to fix a scratch on a car.
Bare metal is the one that can't wait. Dab touch-up paint on it soon to keep rust out, even if the proper repair comes later.
Common questions
Why is keying a car so bad?
Because the scratch is usually too deep to polish out, and it often crosses more than one panel. AutoBodyShopNear puts key-scratch repair at $500 to $1,200 per panel.
Does insurance cover a keyed car?
Yes, if you have comprehensive coverage. You pay the deductible, and liability-only policies won't pay anything (The Zebra).
Will a keyed car claim raise my insurance?
It might, by about $72 a year on average, per The Zebra. A recent prior claim makes an increase more likely (ValuePenguin).
Should I file a police report for a keyed car?
Yes. Insurers usually want one, and it creates a record if the same person strikes again.
Can a keyed scratch be buffed out?
Only if it stayed in the clear coat. Run a fingernail across it: if the nail catches, polish won't remove it.
Is keying a car a felony?
It can be. In California, damage of $400 or more can be charged as felony vandalism. Other states set their own thresholds.
What to do today
- Photograph the scratch from several angles and note the time and place.
- Ask neighbors, your building or nearby businesses for camera footage before it's overwritten.
- File a police report and keep the report number.
- Get a body shop quote. Our guide on how to get a car repair quote shows what to ask for.
- Compare the quote with your comprehensive deductible plus about $72 a year in possible rate increases, then decide whether to claim. If metal is showing, touch it up now.
Sources
- ValuePenguin: Someone keyed my car, will insurance cover it?
- The Zebra: Does car insurance cover vandalism?
- The Zebra: Someone keyed my car, will filing a claim raise my insurance?
- Drive: Why do people key cars?
- Global News: Vernon vehicle vandalism captured on video
- Esfandi Law Group: California Penal Code 594 vandalism laws
- Bumper: How much does it cost to repair a keyed car?
Featured image: A Trend, Vandalism or Cleaning FAIL? by Michael Gil, CC BY 2.0. Source
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