Do Dealerships Fix Paint Chips? [Cost & Insurance Coverage]

Last Updated on 1 month by Ollie Barker

Do dealerships fix paint chips? You purchased a car from a dealership, and after you got home, you discovered it had chips! We have the answer to your question on whether auto dealerships patch dings and paint chips, so let’s look.

Depending on the auto dealer. The dealership will probably refuse to make any repairs if paint chips appear after you drive off the lot. However, the dealership might be responsible for making repairs if you purchased it with chipped paint. In this situation, they will hire a qualified detailer to handle the repair. 

What is a Paint Chip?

A paint chip is a minor nick or blemish on a car’s paint. Paint chips are frequently the result of foreign objects like sand or gravel striking the car.

How far a paint chip penetrates the clear coat layer of the car’s paint determines how bad it is. Larger paint chips will need expert attention from a dealership, but smaller ones can be fixed at home with touch-up paint and an applicator.

A dealership might be unable to remedy a paint chip if it is small and not located in a place that needs painting (like the hood). Your dealer will probably be able to fix the chip if it is in a place that needs painting.

Do Dealerships Fix Paint Chips?

There are two scenarios which you might consider before visiting a car dealership for maintenance.

The first scenario is that you picked up several marks and paint chips after you left the dealership while running some errands. The dealership is not obligated to make repairs in this situation. You are in charge of the case.

The other situation is discovering the damages while you’re at the dealership. They may be responsible for paying for repairs in this situation.

But making the argument is challenging. You must demonstrate that the vehicle wasn’t in perfect condition before you drove it off if you want the dealership to pay for your repairs.

Fix Paint Chips: DIY or Expert Repair?

Depending on the extent of the damage and your level of competence, you can decide whether to attempt the repairs yourself or hire a professional. However, it’s best to hire a professional if you’re unsure about your ability to make repairs.

They will restore the paint chips and scratches and look for any underlying metal damage as well. The best part is that they’ll make sure your car appears brand new.

Finding matching paint can be challenging at times. Therefore, a DIY remedy may result in the repair protruding like an eyesore.

How Much Will It Cost to Fix a Car’s Chipped Paint?

The cost varies depending on the paint damage type. The most important one is how much damage you’re dealing with. Additionally, if a specific paint or sealant is required to match your car’s color, you will spend more. The cost of the repair decreases with chip size. How much does it cost to repair a car’s chipped paint? Here is what you should budget for.

Minor harm: $70-$150

Expect to pay a lower range in price if your car’s paint has little chips, which are no larger than a pencil eraser. To have a flawlessly polished exterior and cleaned up without showing any chipping, you will need to select a specialist skilled at painting and color matching.

You can use a touch-up pen to fix little chips on your own. The pen is available at the majority of auto parts retailers. It comes in several different colors and has a brush connected to one end.

The pen’s applicator tip on the other end enables you to use it like a marker to apply paint where it is needed. The entire process simply takes a few minutes, and each pen only costs $10.

Moderate damages: $150-$400

The price increases with the size of the paint chips. You could be charged up to $400 if you have moderate damage that is several inches long and requires more paint and work to fix.

Damages Are Serious: $450+

The most expensive and time-consuming repairs are those with severe damage that is evident in the surrounding paint as peeling and cracking. Depending on your region, your paint, and the typical labor rates, you might anticipate paying $450 and up when your automobile has substantial paint damage.

Are Paint Chips Covered by Insurance?

Dealing with expenses can be difficult. What happens if we attempt to obtain insurance to pay for the paint damage? Is that a potential answer?

The reply is variable. Has vandalism caused the paint damage? The expenses will be covered by complete insurance. Your comprehensive coverage deductible will still be your responsibility to pay.

In general, your comprehensive insurance should cover the costs if the damage resulted from an unforeseen event. Theft, vandalism, natural calamities, falling objects, and hitting an animal are all examples of unexpected happenings.

It is typically not a good idea to have insurance pay the expenses. Instead, it is preferable to take care of the issue on your own or hire an expert unless the harm is severe.

Conclusion

Dealerships struggle with paint chipping. The best method to handle them is to make sure they are discovered and then dealt with as soon as possible when they happen. If you are unable to do that, it is advisable to be proactive and offer to have the chip fixed before you sell the vehicle.