Discovering a scratch, dent, or scrape on the exterior of your car is never fun, but it can be especially upsetting if you realize it’s been done intentionally. While you want to get your vehicle to an auto body shop ASAP for repairs, when vandalism is involved, there are a few actions needed before removing the damage. The guide below will help you through this unfortunate situation. 

3 Steps to Take If Your Car Gets Keyed

1. Contact the Police

Vandalism is against the law, so before you go to the auto body shop, file a police report. This step is especially important if you think you know who keyed your car, as it will help you build a prosecutable case against that person. Even if it you think it was a random act, your car may be one of many vehicles in the area that have been targeted, and the details of your police report could help catch the culprit and prevent future incidents. Finally, if you want to file a claim with your insurance company to cover the costs of repairs, you may need to provide them with a police report.

2. Call Your Insurance Company 

Before getting auto body repair, call your auto insurance company and speak with a claims adjuster. Because vandalism claims are often filed fraudulently, you’ll need to be able to show the adjuster the damage, as well as provide the police report and other detailed info about the incident, such as the date and time it occurred and the area where your car was parked. You’ll also be able to ask about your policy terms and find out exactly what will be covered.

3. Visit the Auto Body Shop

Once you’ve filed a police report and know the status of your insurance claim, you can head to the auto body shop, where they’ll able to perform car scratch removal and fix the damage. Make sure to ask for a written estimate once they’ve inspected your vehicle so you’ll be prepared for the out-of-pocket expenses.

Whether your car has been scratched by accident or you are the victim of a car keying, the expert mechanics at Novak’s Collision Center can repair your vehicle and restore its exterior to its original condition. Located in St. Peters, MO, this auto body shop has been serving customers for more than 20 years, and offers a wide range of services including collision repair, paintless dent repair, and car scratch removal. They’ll also help you handle insurance claims. For a full list of services, visit their website, and call (636) 936-0020 to schedule an appointment today.