I was wiping down the interior glass of a Tesla Model 3. My microfiber towel picked up a tiny piece of grit, or maybe my watch buckle slipped—I heard the sound before I saw it. A long, jagged scratch right across the expensive ceramic tint on the driver’s window. The customer quoted me $250 to replace it, but my deductible is $500.
Key Takeaways
- The Deductible Trap: Window tint replacement is almost always cheaper than your insurance deductible. Filing a claim is mathematically wrong.
- “Care, Custody, Control” Exclusion: General Liability policies often exclude damage to the part of the vehicle you are actively working on (the window).
- Cash Settlement is King: It is cheaper and cleaner to pay the tint shop directly than to involve an adjuster who will flag your account for a “Property Damage” claim.
- Waiver Protection: Pre-existing scratches are common. If you didn’t do a pre-inspection walk-around, you own every scratch on that film.
The “Why” (The Trap): The “Property Worked Upon” Exclusion
General Liability policies usually contain exclusion j.(2)(d):
“Property damage to that particular part of real property on which you or any contractors or subcontractors working directly or indirectly on your behalf are performing operations.”
Since you were cleaning the tint, you were “performing operations” on it. Therefore, damaging it is considered a workmanship error, not an accident. While Garage Keepers covers the car, it often has a similar exclusion for “faulty work.”
The Investigation: “I Called Them”
I looked for a way to cover minor scratches.
1. Garage Keepers Policy
- Result: Deductible of $500 applies.
- Verdict: Useless for a $200 tint job.
2. “Voluntary Property Damage” Rider
- Result: Some insurers (like Erie or Auto-Owners) offer a small “goodwill” coverage for property damage without a deductible or fault finding.
- Verdict: This is the only insurance mechanism that works here, but it’s rare.
3. The Tint Shop Network
- My Analysis: I called a local tinter. They offered a “Trade Price” ($80) to replace one window if I sent them regular referrals.
- Verdict: Building a relationship with a tinter is your best insurance.
Comparison Table: Fixing the Scratch
| Method | Cost to You | Impact on Premium |
| File Insurance Claim | $250 (Under Ded.) | Bad (Claim on record) |
| Pay Retail Price | $150 – $250 | None |
| Trade Deal (Referral) | $50 – $80 | None |
| Ignore It | Reputation Loss | None |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Don’t Hide It: Tint scratches are obvious. Tell the customer immediately. “I apologize, my towel caught grit. I will pay to have this panel re-tinted.”
- Call a Mobile Tinter: Have them come to the client’s house or your shop. Don’t make the client drive to a shop if you can avoid it.
- Pay Cash: Keep the receipt as a “Cost of Goods Sold” tax deduction.
- Remove Watches/Rings: Change your SOP. No jewelry on hands or wrists while doing interiors.
FAQ
Q: Can I polish scratches out of tint?
A: No. Tint is a plastic film. Polishing it just makes it hazy or tears it.
Q: What if the tint is old and purple?
A: You might be doing them a favor, but you still broke it. Offer to pay for that window, or offer a discount on a full re-tint.
[IMAGE: Close-up photo of a scratch in dark window tint with light shining through.]