Car damage happens. And sometimes, no matter how carefully you take care of your car, damage can still happen that’s out of your control.

Car repairs can be pretty pricey, especially if you pay for quality parts and labor. Use this guide to help you estimate how much it will cost to repair your car and whether or not your car insurance will cover the cost of the car repairs.

Cost of painting a car

Car paint scratches or chips are typically cosmetic damages, but if left untreated, they can lead to rusting and more serious damage. Scratches can happen anywhere: in a parking lot, while driving, in your driveway and so on. If you have one or a few small scratches, those can likely be repaired. But more severe damage may require a total paint job of your whole car.

How much does it cost to paint a car?

The cost to paint a car varies greatly based on the type of paint used and the quality of the paint job. The type of car you have also affects how much it costs to paint a car. CostHelper reports that you can get a cheap paint job for anywhere from $300 to $900, but you may not be satisfied with the results. For a more thorough and quality job, you’re looking at a price tag between $1,000 and $3,500.

If you have a small scratch or minimal paint damage, you may not need to have your whole car repainted. If the scratch is small enough and only in the clear coat of your car’s paint, the scratch can likely be buffed out.

If you can run your fingernail over the scratch and it gets stopped and you can feel it, the scratch is likely too deep to fix by just buffing it out. You can typically have a professional repair a car scratch for about $50 to $300, depending on how deep it is.

Does car insurance cover the cost to paint a car?

If your car’s paint was damaged by a covered peril, you may have coverage to fix the paint. For example, comprehensive car insurance coverage covers vandalism and damage from falling objects. This means you’d be covered if someone keys your car or a tree branch falls and scratches your car.

If your car’s paint was damaged in a car accident that you were at fault for, your collision insurance will cover the repairs, less the deductible. Both collision and comprehensive coverage have a deductible, so before you file an insurance, be sure that the cost of repairs exceeds your deductible.

While the above scenarios are covered by insurance, most car paint scratches aren’t covered by car insurance. Accidental scratches aren’t covered and the repairs will need to be paid for out of pocket.

Bumper repair cost

A dented bumper is one of the most common damages to a car. After all, bumpers serve the purpose of reducing and preventing more serious damage to your vehicle, especially if you’re involved in a low impact collision with another car or something else like a wall or a pole.

How much does bumper repair cost?

Assuming there are no other damages to the rear end or front end of your car, the typical cost to get your dented bumper repaired is between $300 and $1,600. The parts cost between $100 and $1,000 depending on the car you have and the labor and paint costs about $200 to $600.

Does car insurance cover the cost to replace your dented bumper?

Whether or not your car insurance covers the cost to fix your dented bumper depends on the type of car insurance coverage you have. If you have collision coverage on your car insurance policy, you would likely be covered for bumper repair costs that you were at fault for. Just make sure the cost to repair it is greater than the cost of your car insurance deductible before you file a claim.

If you were rear-ended by someone else and were not at fault for the dented bumper, the at-fault party’s insurance would likely cover the bumper repair cost.

Broken windshield cost

You’re driving down the highway and a rock chips your windshield. It happens often! Fortunately,it’s not as expensive to fix compared to other car repairs.

How much does it cost to fix a broken windshield?

For your front windshield, it can cost anywhere from $50 to $150 to repair a chip in your windshield and $10 to $60 for small chips. If you need a windshield replacement, the cost ranges from $100 to $400. Typically, cracks that are larger than 2 inches require windshield replacement rather than just a repair. If you have a rare windshield, it can cost much more, up to about $1,500.

If you have a chip or crack in your rear windshield, it can cost between $100 and $1,200 to fix or replace. For standard side windows, the cost is usually between $100 and $350. Other small triangular side windows can cost $100 to $500.

Does car insurance cover a broken windshield?

Car insurance covers a broken windshield if you have comprehensive car insurance coverage on your policy. It’s usually subject to a deductible between $100 and $300. If you have a small chip that costs less than your glass deductible, it may not make sense to use your insurance to fix it. In some states, there is no deductible for glass damage.

Car door repair and dent removal cost

Whether you accidentally hit your car door on something while opening it or a carriage rammed into it in the parking lot, a car door dent can be a frustrating car damage that you want to get repaired. You could also experience dings in your car’s fenders.

How much does it cost for car door repair?

The cost for car door repair varies depending on the extent of the damage. If your door handle, lock and window are still fully functional and all you have is a dent, it will cost less than if those other parts were damaged. The type of car you have also affects the price.

If the dent is smaller than seven inches, it could cost around $350 to repair it. But keep in mind, the price could be much higher if the dent is larger and more severe. This price is for paintless dent repair method that can be used for small dents as long as the paint is still intact. If you need a car door replacement, that can cost between $350 and $1,500 for the new door.

If your car needs repairs, do your research to find a reputable auto body shop that will take care of your car repairs with quality service at a good price. Make sure to beware of any car repair scams and fraud that can happen at a shop, including inflating prices and making unnecesary repairs

With any damage, always check your car insurance policy to see if you have coverage for it.

If you haven’t reviewed your coverage recently or are unsure if you’re insured by a quality company, see which insurers other drivers recommend on our list of best car insurance companies. If you’re interested in getting car insurance quotes, use our tool below.

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