Keyed car repair cost
A keyed car is usually a deliberate line scored into the paint, often running the length of one or more panels at a consistent height — which is what separates it from an accidental scratch and is exactly why insurers treat it as vandalism rather than a routine claim.
Cost depends almost entirely on how many panels are affected and how deep the line runs at its worst point, since a shop has to blend the repair across every panel the line touches for the color to match seamlessly.
Is this what you have?
Look for a straight line at a consistent height, often at hand or hip level, running with even depth across one or more panels — a signature of someone walking alongside the car while dragging an object across it, distinct from the irregular depth of accidental contact.
- Straight line at a consistent height across multiple panels
- Even depth along the whole length, not tapering at the ends
- No obvious accidental cause (branch, cart, adjacent vehicle) nearby
- Sometimes accompanied by other vandalism (mirrors, tires, paint elsewhere)
Cost breakdown
| Repair | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Polish out a light clear-coat scratch | $50 – $150 | Buffing / detail |
| Touch-up a small chip or short scratch | $100 – $300 | Spot repair |
| Repaint one scratched panel | $300 – $800 | Through the color coat |
| Repaint multiple panels | $800 – $2,500 | Blended across panels |
| Deep key scratch along one side | $1,000 – $3,000 | Several panels + blend |
Common causes
Deliberate vandalism
The practical reality behind this search — a key, coin, or similar object deliberately dragged along the paint.
Mistaken identity
Occasionally an accidental scratch from a bag, belt, or bike pedal brushing past gets assumed to be keying — worth ruling out before filing a vandalism report.
DIY, shop, or claim?
DIY
A light mark caught early sometimes polishes out — use the fingernail test as a guide. Anything that catches a fingernail has gone through the paint and needs a proper repair, not a pen.
Body shop
A shop can spot-repair one or two panels; a full-length scratch needs a blended repaint across every panel it crosses so there's no visible line where the new paint meets the old.
Insurance claim
Worth reporting to police for a case number, then filing under comprehensive coverage once it crosses multiple panels — vandalism claims typically don't raise your rate the way an at-fault collision claim does.
Get an exact estimate
Photograph the full length of the scratch and the app estimates how many panels are affected and roughly how deep it runs — what separates a $200 fix from a $2,000+ one.
Frequently asked questions
Does insurance cover a keyed car?
Yes, under comprehensive coverage, subject to your deductible — vandalism is one of the standard covered perils, separate from collision coverage.
Should I file a police report for a keyed car?
Yes — most insurers want a police report or case number for a vandalism claim, and it also creates a record in case the same person targets other cars nearby.
How much does it cost to fix a scratch down the whole side of a car?
A deep line crossing three or more panels typically runs $1,200 to $3,000 or more once every affected panel is blended and repainted to match.
Will a keyed car repair be a perfect color match?
A good shop blends the new paint into the panels on either side of the repair, which hides any transition — the color will match the car as it looks now, not a swatch from years ago.
Want a number for your exact car? Take a few photos of the damage and the app returns an itemized cost and labor-time breakdown in your currency.