Will My Insurance Cover Car Wash Damage?

It’s the first warm day of spring. Your car’s caked in winter grime, so you take it to the nearest car wash. Water and brushes do their thing, your car looks brand new. But when you get home, you spot a long scratch along the driver-side door. Now what?

As someone who’s worked in auto insurance for nearly 20 years, I can tell you this kind of thing happens more than you’d think. With over 2.3 billion cars washed every year in the U.S., car wash damage is a common claim. In this article, I’ll explain when insurance will cover it — and how to avoid it.

Collision Coverage

If you accidentally cause the damage — for example, by hitting a pole or wall while inside the car wash — collision coverage will pay for the repairs to your car (if you carry it).

Comprehensive Coverage

If the damage is caused by something other than a collision — like a sign falling on your vehicle or a mechanical malfunction during an automatic wash — comprehensive coverage may apply.

Liability Coverage

This part of your policy covers damage you cause to others, including the car wash itself. For example, if you hit the car wash structure, your liability coverage would pay for repairs to their property.

Who Is Responsible For Car Wash Damage?

As I mentioned, the party who pays for the damage to the car depends on who is responsible for causing it in the first place. Here are some common scenarios where each party may be responsible for the damage.

When The Car Wash Owner Covers Damage

In general, the car wash owner may be responsible for covering the damage when it is caused by some malfunction of equipment or the owner’s negligence.

These are some examples where an owner may be held liable:

• Your car is damaged as a result of an equipment malfunction, such as a brush falling onto your hood and breaking the windshield
• Car wash employees weren’t properly trained and their actions caused damage
• The owner did not fix equipment they knew was faulty
• The owner did not regularly maintain the equipment to keep it in good working order
• Guidelines for safety were not clearly communicated to the customer

If any of the above actions resulted in damage to your car, you may be able to get the car wash owner’s commercial insurance policy to pay for the repairs.

When Your Car Insurance Covers Car Wash Damage

Your car insurance policy may cover damage from a car wash if you were the cause. If you forgot to put your car in neutral and hit the car in front of you, for example.

But remember that the type of insurance you buy will determine whether your insurance company will pay for the damage.

As long as you have liability coverage, which is required by almost all states, any damage to another person or building should be paid for by the insurance company.

You need to purchase comprehensive and collision to have coverage for damage you cause to your car. There is also a deductible that will apply in these scenarios.

When You Will Cover Car Wash Damage

Fortunately, there aren’t too many scenarios where car wash damage wouldn’t be covered by either your insurance company or the car wash owners’ policy. But, there are some notable exceptions.

First, intentional damage will never be covered by your insurance. If your insurance company determines that you purposely caused damage to your vehicle, you will not only be on the hook for the cost of the repairs, but you could jeopardize your insurance coverage.

Secondly, as mentioned a few times, coverage is imperative. Without comprehensive or collision coverage, any damage you cause to your car will be your financial responsibility.

It’s important to note, however, that these coverages also include a deductible, which means there is a slight out-of-pocket expense, even if insurance is picking up the tab.

Speaking of deductibles, any damage to your car needs to exceed the deductible amount you carry on your car.

For example, if you have a deductible of $1,000 for collision coverage and the cost to repair the car wash damage is $500, your insurance company will not pay for the repair. You would be responsible for that.

The same goes for any damage you cause to the car wash property. If you only carry the minimum limits required by your state, and the damage you cause is over that limit, you will be responsible for paying that out of pocket.

With the average car wash equipment ranging in price from $500,000-$2,000,000, you will need to carry more than minimal limits to ensure you are adequately protected.

Lastly, insurance will never pay for wear and tear. There is always a risk of paint or finish deterioration with car washes over time.

If you notice this happening to your car, even if you can trace it back to the car wash, you will be responsible for the damage.

When you notice damage to your car after a wash, you should notify your insurance company immediately. They will need all details of the loss, including where it occurred and what happened. Be specific as possible.

If your vehicle was damaged, the adjuster will confirm the cause of the loss and if you have the appropriate coverage on your policy. You are then able to get estimates for the repairs to your car and the insurance company can either write you a check or pay the shop directly. Remember that your deductible will apply to this coverage.

You can still file a claim with your auto insurance if the car wash owner was negligent and you weren’t at fault for the damage.

The difference is that the claims adjuster will attempt to recoup the money paid for the repairs from the car wash owner’s insurance, in a process called subrogation. However, you may still be responsible for your deductible if you go this route.

Another option would be to attempt to file a claim with the car wash owner’s insurance company. While this process can be more of a hassle for you, it has little to no out-of-pocket expense.

What If Both My Car And The Car Wash Were Damaged?

If both your car and the car wash sustained damage during the same incident, the first step is to notify your insurance company right away. They’ll assess the situation, determine who’s at fault, and walk you through the claims process.

If you’re found responsible, here’s how your coverage breaks down:

• Your car: Covered under collision (if you carry it), subject to your deductible.
• The car wash: Covered under the property damage liability portion of your policy. This pays for damage to others’ property that you caused — up to your policy’s liability limit.

Your insurer will guide you on whether to file one or multiple claims — and whether the car wash’s own insurance might also be involved.

What If I Signed A Waiver?

Many car washes ask customers to sign a waiver that limits their liability for damage. These waivers are designed to protect the business — but they don’t automatically absolve them of responsibility.

Whether or not the waiver holds up depends on your state laws and the circumstances of the damage. In most cases, waivers won’t protect a business from claims involving negligence or faulty equipment.

If your car is damaged and you signed a waiver, you should still:

• Report the damage on-site
• Document everything with photos
• Contact your insurer to review your options

How Does Car Wash Damage Happen?

There are a few different ways cars can be damaged at car washes. The first and obvious way is that you strike another car or hit something in the car wash itself. This type of damage includes your car antennae or side mirrors scraping against equipment and breaking.

Brushes within the car wash have also been known to scratch and scrape off paint, if not working properly. Malfunctioning equipment within the car wash can fall onto the car and break mirrors, or damage other parts of your vehicle.

Lastly and maybe less well-known is that soap from the car wash can cause deterioration of your car’s paint and finish over time. Many car washes use harsh chemicals in their cleaning supplies to get your car clean.

Car washes and auto detailers can use $5,000 to $20,000 worth of chemicals annually. These chemicals do help to keep your car sparkling, but can ultimately damage your car in the long run.

What Should I Do If A Car Wash Damages My Vehicle?

If you find damage to your car after a wash, there are a few immediate steps you should take. First, ensure you and any passengers are safe. Do not attempt to get out of an automatic car wash if it’s still running, for example.

Next, take photos of any damage. This includes damage to your car, as well as damage that you may have caused to the car wash. You should then notify an employee about what happened.

They may be able to help get your car out of the bay if it is inoperable or unsafe to drive and they can provide the company’s insurance information.

Calling the police is not always necessary but may be a good idea if anyone is injured. Be sure to hold onto any documentation that could potentially help you file a claim later. This can include incident reports, receipts, or photos.

What If A Car Wash Employee Damaged My Car?

If a car wash employee damages your car — whether by improperly handling it, driving it into equipment, or using faulty tools — the business may be held liable for the damage. Car washes are responsible for training their staff and operating safely.

In these situations, you should:

1. Report the damage immediately to the manager on-site.
2. Take photos of the damage and the surroundings.
3. Request the car wash’s insurance information — most businesses carry commercial liability coverage for exactly this reason.

You can choose to file a claim directly through the car wash’s insurer or, if needed, through your own comprehensive coverage (though that may involve a deductible).