Does ceramic coating prevent rock chips?

Not reliably. A cured ceramic coating adds a thin, hard layer that can offer some resistance to very light impacts, such as fine sand and small grit, but it is far too thin to absorb a stone hitting the car at road speed, so most rock chips will still go through the coating into the paint. Paint protection film is the product designed for impact protection on vulnerable areas such as the front bumper, hood and mirrors. For the best of both, a ceramic coating can be applied over compatible film for easier cleaning and extra stain resistance.