Published 8 May 2026
Does car insurance cover vandalism?
It can be incredibly frustrating to discover your car has been vandalised, even if nothing’s been stolen. Luckily, your Allianz Online Car Insurance is here to get your car back into tip top shape.
- What does vandalism mean when it comes to cars?
- Does car insurance cover vandalism?
- Who do you contact if your car’s been vandalised?
Who should you speak to if you discover your car’s been vandalised?
Make sure you report the vandalism to the police. If you’re not in immediate danger then use their non-emergency helpline (101), otherwise you should call 999. You will then get a crime reference number which you’ll need for your car insurance claim.
If you make a claim on your Silver or Gold Allianz Online Car Insurance policy for vandalism, your no claim discount will remain unaffected - all you need to do is pay your excess and we’ll sort the rest.
What evidence do you need to make a vandalism claim?
When claiming for an act of vandalism on your car, we require a crime reference number, you will get this from the police when you report the vandalism.
My car is undriveable due to vandalism, what should I do?
Double check your policy wording to see if you have courtesy car cover, this will mean you’d have use of a car while yours is being repaired.
What vandalism repairs am I covered for?
If you have Allianz Online Car Insurance, you’ll be covered for any damage to your car, including vandalism. If you have third party cover then you are unlikely to have cover for vandalism. Always check your policy documents for your level of cover.
What if vandalism writes my car off?
The damage may be so bad that your insurer writes your car off. If this is the case, you’ll likely receive a market value payout from your insurer.
If you have Allianz Online Silver or Gold Car Insurance, you’re the registered keeper and the car is less than 12 months old, then we’ll replace it with a new one, like-for-like.
How to stop your car being vandalised
Firstly, the best solution is prevention, so let’s take steps to prevent your car from being vandalised - these tips can also help stop your car from being stolen…
- If you don’t have a garage or driveway, keep your vehicle in a well-lit area.
- Always leave a good amount of space if you can between parked vehicles.
- Consider a good car alarm system or cameras if possible.
So, remember our top tips to deter a vandal, and rest assured that we’re here if the worst should happen.
Helpful tips to avoid catalytic converter theft
What does a catalytic converter do?
By converting your car’s exhaust fumes into less harmful emissions, a catalytic converter uses catalysts to reduce the amount of air pollution released by your petrol or diesel engine.
Does my car have a catalytic converter?
Look under your car. If you have a catalytic converter, you’ll find it between the engine and your exhaust. You should also be able to find out by doing a quick search online for your car’s make, model and year of production.
What kind of car has a catalytic converter?
If your car has a petrol or diesel engine then it will have been fitted with a catalytic converter. If you drive a fully electric vehicle (EV) then you won’t have a catalytic converter – since this type of car has zero emissions, it doesn’t need one!
Why would anyone steal a catalytic converter?
The reason thieves are so keen on catalytic converters is that they contain precious metals and can be swiped in under 60 seconds. In other words, these highly valuable items represent minimal effort for a quick, lucrative reward.
What’s a catalytic converter made from?
Catalytic converters contain materials - such as palladium, platinum and, in particular, rhodium - whose value has been increasing rapidly.
How can I stop my catalytic converter being stolen?
As with many things, when it comes to deterring the theft of your catalytic converter, prevention is key. Here are some helpful tips:
Avoid parking anywhere you could be more vulnerable to thieves. A locked garage is ideal but when that’s not an option, choose a busy, well-lit spot or, better yet, somewhere with CCTV.
Make it hard for catalytic converter crooks to get under your vehicle. Parking your car so that the exhaust is near an obstruction, like a wall or a fence, can restrict access for potential thieves.
Get cameras fitted at home or a dashcam for your car to watch over it when you’re not around. You may also consider having a car alarm fitted, if you don’t have one already, or stickers for your car window to let criminals know they’re being recorded.
Basically, any form of deterrent, like cameras and alarms, could be enough to make a thief think twice about stealing your catalytic converter.
It’s no secret that catalytic converter theft has been on the rise, which is why you’ll find a number of specific devices available to make it harder to steal them.
For catalytic converters that have been bolted on, your garage could weld the bolts for you to give thieves an extra headache. So-called ‘cat cages’ are another option that can surround your converter and deter theft.
If you register your catalytic converter, you’ll be able to trace it in the event of a theft. Get it marked forensically or ask your garage to add a serial number.
Have I been targeted by catalytic converter thieves?
It’s not hard to spot if you’ve fallen victim to catalytic converter theft. Here are some of the signs to look out for:
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