Can a Side Mirror Collision Be Covered by Insurance?
3 Answers
A side mirror collision can be covered by insurance. Precautions: After a side mirror collision, you should immediately call your insurance company. When the insurance company personnel arrive at the scene, the car owner should present the insurance documents, driver's license, vehicle registration, and ID card. Photo Evidence: Whether photos are required for car insurance mainly depends on the type of insurance the owner has purchased. For example, for car damage, scratches, or glass insurance, photos must be taken to prove that the vehicle had no damage before the insurance claim. Six photos are needed: one from each of the four 45-degree angles (front left, rear left, front right, rear right), one of the vehicle identification number (VIN), and one with the owner standing next to the car.
I've also encountered a similar situation with a side mirror collision. That time when I was parking in the residential area, I accidentally scraped against the wall without noticing, and the entire mirror fell off. I checked my insurance policy and realized that if the accident was caused by someone else, like if another person hit you, your third-party liability insurance might cover the other party's losses. However, damage to the side mirror is part of your own vehicle's damage, so it would require comprehensive insurance to cover it. If it was your own fault, like a single-vehicle accident, comprehensive insurance would also cover it, but you'd need to check the policy details and the deductible. If the repair cost for the mirror is low, say a few hundred yuan, it might not be worth filing a claim because the process can be time-consuming and could affect next year's premium. I ended up finding a repair shop to replace it myself for just over 300 yuan. Safety comes first—driving with a broken mirror is unsafe, so it's better to deal with it promptly. For high-end cars with electronic features, repair costs could easily exceed a thousand yuan, making it necessary to seriously consider using insurance.
Whether a damaged side mirror can be claimed through insurance depends on the cause of the accident. For instance, if your mirror was damaged in a rear-end collision caused by another driver, their insurance should cover the repair—just make sure to file a police report and document the incident. If the damage resulted from your own mistake, like hitting a pole while reversing, your own collision coverage might apply, but the insurer will factor in your deductible and repair costs. From my experience, side mirror repairs are often inexpensive—sometimes under 300 RMB—and filing a claim (especially with a 500 RMB deductible) may not be worth the paperwork and wait. It’s often quicker to pay out of pocket after getting a repair quote. Pro tip: When parking, always check your mirror’s clearance to avoid obstacles and minimize these minor mishaps. Save insurance for major losses; small repairs are more efficient to handle yourself.
