Can I add vehicle damage insurance later if I didn't purchase it initially?

[SanColin]

Yes. Additional extended information is as follows: 1. The "Motor Vehicle Damage Insurance Clauses" has corresponding provisions: Article 15 states that unless otherwise agreed, the insurance period of this contract is one year. If the insurance period is less than one year, the premium shall be calculated according to the short-term monthly rate approved by the insurance regulatory authority. The insured shall provide the insurance company with the insurance policy, the driver's license, the insurance vehicle's driving license, accident certificate, traffic accident determination letter, loss list, and other certificates and materials related to confirming the nature, cause, and extent of loss of the insurance accident. 2. Relevant provisions of the "Motor Vehicle Damage Insurance Clauses": Article 22 states that the insured vehicle damaged in an insurance accident should be repaired as much as possible. Before repair, the insured must inspect with the insurance company to determine the repair items, methods, and costs. Otherwise, the insurance company has the right to re-evaluate, and if re-evaluation is impossible, the insurance company has the right to refuse compensation.

[JakeLynn]

I remember when I first bought car insurance, I skipped the collision coverage to save money, thinking my new car wouldn't have any issues. Half a year later, a small stone scratched my door, and the repair cost me over 2,000 yuan – it was heartbreaking. Later, I called the insurance company directly to ask if I could add collision coverage. They had me drive to their office for a quick inspection to check for major issues, then calculated a new premium, adding a few hundred yuan. Now I feel much more at ease. Actually, many people do this – saving small amounts early on only to regret it later. It's best to add it as soon as possible; otherwise, when the car ages, there might be additional fees affecting the policy. Driving on the road every day, if you encounter an accident or natural disaster, repair costs can skyrocket. Collision coverage acts like a safety net protecting your wallet.

[MacVanessa]

When I was young and didn't understand insurance, I also skipped the vehicle damage insurance, thinking that just having compulsory traffic insurance was enough. It wasn't until a friend told me his car was hit by a tree while parked on the roadside, and luckily he had added the vehicle damage insurance which saved him a huge repair bill. Out of curiosity, I followed his example and searched online, only to find out that you can add the insurance anytime by contacting the insurance company, and the process is quite simple: just call customer service, provide the license plate number to confirm the vehicle's condition, and if everything checks out, sign a new contract and pay the additional premium. Now that I use my car more often, I remind myself to add the insurance. The premium might be higher, but it gives me peace of mind. Don't worry about the insurance company giving you a hard time—as long as your car doesn't have a record of major accidents, most companies support mid-term additions. On the contrary, waiting until after an accident to add it is too late and carries higher risks.

[StKhloe]

Based on multiple insurance experiences, it's quite common to add the initially unpurchased vehicle damage insurance later. You can call the service hotline for consultation, and the staff will ask you to verify your vehicle information and current policy, then assess the car's condition, such as checking for body damage or mileage. An additional fee may be required, usually ranging from tens to hundreds. My suggestion is, if you frequently drive in the city or park in poor conditions, it's wise to add vehicle damage insurance to avoid paying out of pocket for repairs. Handling the procedure early speeds things up and saves you from the hassle of unexpected losses.