Insurance only pays for vandalism to my car with full cover (Vollkasko): it pays for keyed paint, slashed tyres or kicked off mirrors, minus the deductible and with a downgrade. Partial cover (Teilkasko) only pays for smashed windows, and then without a downgrade. A keyed car quickly costs 1,000 to 3,000 euros, more with cameras and sensors.
Windscreen prices from a motoring club survey, February 2026.
Other values are guide values from our quoting practice, October 2026; we obtain the exact quote.
Worked example
Keyed driver's side and smashed window
Overnight someone keys the driver's side of a compact car and smashes a side window. Full cover with 300 euro, partial cover with 150 euro deductible.
Side window, partial cover
400 euros damage, 250 euros paid, no downgrade
Paint driver's side, full cover
2,200 euros damage, 1,900 euros paid
Extra premium from downgrade over three years
about 300 to 700 euros
The paint damage is worth claiming. For a small scratch, paying yourself would be cheaper.
What full cover pays for vandalism
The German model terms AKB 2015 cover wilful or malicious acts by people who have no right to use the car under full cover. Keyed paint, slashed tyres, kicked in doors, broken mirrors or spray paint all fall under it.
People you have entrusted with the car, such as a garage, and people close to you such as family or household members do not count as outsiders. If your own son damages the car in anger, full cover does not pay under this clause.
What partial cover pays after vandalism
Partial cover does not list vandalism as a peril. But it pays for breakage of the glazing, so also a smashed window, whoever broke it. If someone sets the car on fire, partial cover pays under fire.
If full cover pays for damage that also falls under partial cover, your policy counts as claim free under the model terms. A smashed window therefore costs you no downgrade.
Vandalism damage
Who pays
Paint keyed
full cover, with downgrade
Tyres slashed
full cover, with downgrade
Window smashed
partial cover, no downgrade
Car set on fire
partial cover under fire
Offender identified
the offender personally, often hard to enforce
Is it worth claiming for vandalism?
The downgrade in full cover can cost more over several years than a small vandalism repair. A single scratch on a door is often cheaper to pay yourself, especially with a 500 euro deductible.
Ask your insurer to calculate the cost of the downgrade before you decide. The model terms only allow repaying a settlement for small liability claims; whether your policy allows it for comprehensive claims is in your terms.
Claiming from the offender
Anyone who wilfully damages a car commits criminal damage under section 303 of the German Criminal Code (StGB) and is liable under section 823 of the Civil Code (BGB). If the police identify the offender, you and your insurer can claim the money from him.
If the offender repays your insurer in full, the policy counts as claim free. In practice many offenders are never found, so the police report matters but is no substitute for cover.
When you do not need full cover for vandalism
If your car is older and worth little, full cover for vandalism alone is rarely worth it. A scratch does not need repairing for the car to drive.
For new, financed or leased cars parked on the street overnight it often makes sense. Leasing companies usually require it anyway.
Step by step
Photograph the damage and where the car was parked.
Report criminal damage to the police.
Report the damage to your insurer within a week.
Get a repair estimate and ask for the downgrade cost.
Decide whether to claim or pay yourself.
Checklist
Full cover if paint damage should be insured
Deductibles in partial and full cover known
Police report with reference number
Photos and witnesses
Downgrade cost checked before claiming
Common mistakes
Claiming vandalism under partial cover and expecting payment
Not reporting it to the police
Claiming every small scratch and losing the bonus
Questions and answers
Frequently asked
Does partial cover pay for keyed paint?
No.
Paint damage from vandalism is only paid by full cover.
Will I be downgraded after vandalism?
In full cover yes, unless the offender repays everything.
Not for pure glass breakage.
Do I have to report vandalism to the police?
Without a report nobody looks for the offender, and the insurer will ask for it.
File it promptly.
Does insurance pay if my partner damages the car?
If you live together, not under the vandalism clause,
because household members do not count as outsiders.
Are stolen mirrors or badges vandalism?
Theft of parts falls under partial cover, damage caused when tearing them off under full cover.
Does insurance pay for graffiti on the car?
Spraying is malicious damage and a matter for full cover.
