Front driver door keyed - next steps

[Core2uu]

While my car (just under a month old from the dealership) was parked in my gated garage, some asshole decided to key it and leave a nice deep scratch on the driver door. This is the photo of the scratch when I discovered it the next day:

I filed a police report and an insurance claim (I'm with GEICO) but haven't followed up yet with getting an adjuster to look at it and actually using my insurance to get this fixed at a shop. When I looked at tonight however, it looks like the paint is self-healing? (or at least expanding to cover up the scratch or something).

The two pictures are under different lighting, but if you zoom in, the scratch is visibly different.

Anyways, just wanted to get advice on whether this looks like something I could possibly fix myself, or would be better to have a shop do it and get insurance to cover it (currently my comp. coverage has a $200 deductible but I lowered to $50 now in case something like this happens again in the future).

From the original photo, I think this scratch was through the primer so I'm not sure if at some point through coats, it's not possible to fix yourself with touch-up paint.

 

[CEPA_Si]

You can get a touch up pen and repair it that way, however it will likely not look all that nice especially since the car is only a month old. Not what your going to want to hear, but the best repair is to have that panel resprayed.

 

[dc2turbo]

might be cheaper if you can find the same color driver door at the junkyard. spraying that door will cost $1000+ at a good shop

 

[10thGenSteven]

Totally reminded me of this scene from Pulp Fiction. I feel for you.

 

[PolishedLX]

Avoidance is the only practice once you own a Civic X. I learned this the hard way with a prev DD.

Edit: It's hard to un-do car damage.

 

[CivicChina]

try to touch it up, it will anyway protect the metal from rust while you decide what to do. it may even come out decent if you put time and effort into it, but WOP is not easy to cheat...

 

[jgreen16]

The WOP touch up paint is horrendous unfortunately. It sucks that people feel the need to do this kind of crap.

 

[Phylanx]

A Youtube channel I watch (ChrisFix) posted a video about fixing scratches, similar to what yours looks like. Otherwise, it might be best to go through insurance.

 

[Core2uu]

Just to post an update (in case anyone finds this thread and is in a similar situation), I just went through my insurance and it was repaired without issue (I have GEICO and just went through the closest GEICO Xpress shop after checking it had good reviews). Total cost was pretty steep and nearly $1100 since they resprayed both doors and front fender as well to blend in the new coat (and also replaced door edge guards etc.) but I only had to pay the $200 deductible of course (which I dropped down to $50 for myself in case this happens in the future).

 

[cypress]

Good to know the issue was fixed.

 

[bembol]

I don't know what I would do if I ever caught some chicken shit messing with my girl.


The reason why I have dash cams in my babies.

My previous was keyed twice.

 

[davidgostbo]

Just to post an update (in case anyone finds this thread and is in a similar situation), I just went through my insurance and it was repaired without issue (I have GEICO and just went through the closest GEICO Xpress shop after checking it had good reviews). Total cost was pretty steep and nearly $1100 since they resprayed both doors and front fender as well to blend in the new coat (and also replaced door edge guards etc.) but I only had to pay the $200 deductible of course (which I dropped down to $50 for myself in case this happens in the future).

Wouldn't that raise your premiums? If you files claims

 

[Evolution999]

hope it doesnt happen again but people who did that usually admire their work and will notice you got it repaired. hope im wrong

 

[Core2uu]

I don't know what I would do if I ever caught some chicken shit messing with my girl.


The reason why I have dash cams in my babies.

My previous was keyed twice.

Yeah, I just installed a 2nd dashcam on my rear window too. Still gotta work on setting up parking mode so I can catch people while it's parked though.

 

[Core2uu]

Wouldn't that raise your premiums? If you files claims

I looked it up and folks on the internets seemed to say that GEICO doesn't raise your premiums for claims at which you aren't at fault. I'm at least locked into my current rates for the next few months but I'll see what I'm offered later (if it goes up at all).

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