A truck kicked up a rock on the highway and put a spiderweb crack in my $2,500 Seibon carbon fiber hood. I filed a claim. The adjuster wrote an estimate for “Repair: 4 hours body labor, paint to match.” I tried to explain you can’t Bondo and paint visible carbon fiber. They refused to authorize a replacement, leaving me with a painted hood I didn’t want.
Key Takeaways
- Visible Carbon is “Cosmetic”: Insurers treat the weave as a cosmetic finish. If they can putty it and paint it body color, they consider the function restored.
- Repair vs. Replace: Carbon fiber is difficult to repair structurally. You must argue “Structural Integrity” to get a replacement.
- LKQ (Like Kind and Quality): They might try to replace your name-brand carbon hood with a cheap fiberglass knockoff or an eBay carbon overlay.
- Clear Coat Peeling: If the hood is cracking due to UV damage (very common with carbon), that is “Wear and Tear” and denied.
The “Why” (The Trap): The Right to Repair
The policy says: “We reserve the right to repair or replace.”
If “repairing” it (painting over the carbon) makes it a functioning hood, they have fulfilled the contract. They are not obligated to restore the look of the carbon weave unless you have a specific endorsement protecting the appearance of custom parts.
[IMAGE: Close up of a cracked carbon fiber hood weave]
The Investigation: I Called Them
I asked how they handle damage to exposed carbon fiber.
1. Standard Adjuster
- Stance: “We paint it.”
- Argument: “The hood functions. The ‘carbon look’ is just a finish. We will pay to paint it to match the car.”
2. High-End Body Shop
- Strategy: The shop must write a statement: “The impact has compromised the resin matrix. Repair is unsafe as the hood could delaminate at speed.”
- Result: This safety argument usually forces a replacement.
3. Hagerty
- Stance: They understand the aesthetic value. If the car is insured as a modified show car, they pay to replace the carbon part to maintain the “Agreed Condition.”
Comparison Table
| Damage | Standard Insurer Offer | Specialty Insurer Offer |
| Cracked Weave | Bondo + Paint (Cover the carbon) | New Carbon Hood |
| Yellowing/Fading | Denied (Wear & Tear) | Denied (Wear & Tear) |
| Broken Latch | New Latch | New Hood (if integrated) |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Do Not Accept “Repair”: If the estimate says “Repair/Refinish,” reject it.
- Safety First: Argue safety. Carbon fiber shatters; it doesn’t dent. A crack means the structure is compromised.
- Get a Manufacturer Letter: Email Seibon/Vis/Varis. Ask: “Is it safe to repair a cracked hood?” They will say No. Send that email to the adjuster.
- Endorse the “Finish”: When buying the policy, specify “Exposed Carbon Fiber Bodywork” in the notes.
FAQ Section
Can I ask for the cash instead?
Yes. If they offer $800 to “repair/paint,” you can take the $800 cash and put it toward buying a new $2,000 hood yourself.
What if they want to use a cheap eBay hood?
Invoke the “Like Kind and Quality” clause. Prove your hood is Varis (Vacuum infused) and the eBay one is wet-lay fiberglass. They are not like kind.
Is UV damage ever covered?
No. Clear coat failure on carbon is the #1 denied claim. Keep it waxed or wrapped in PPF.