Can I Claim Car Insurance for Accidental Scratches I Caused Myself?
3 Answers
As long as it's not illegal parking, you can claim car insurance for accidental scratches caused by yourself. Here are the specific details for filing a claim: 1. Important Notes: After the accident occurs, you should immediately call your insurance company. If the accident involves injuries, you must also notify the traffic police to determine responsibility on-site; otherwise, the insurance company will not compensate. When the insurance company personnel arrive at the scene, the car owner should present the insurance policy, driver's license, vehicle registration, and ID. 2. Photo Evidence: Whether photos are required for car insurance claims mainly depends on the type of insurance purchased. For example, for damages, scratches, or glass insurance, you must provide photo evidence that the vehicle had no pre-existing damage before the claim. You need to take six photos: one from each of the four 45° angles (front left, rear left, front right, rear right), one of the VIN, and one with you and the car. Each photo must include that day's newspaper, clearly showing the date.
I also kept scratching my car in the first two years of driving, and later learned that such situations can be claimed under car insurance, but you need to check if you've purchased vehicle damage insurance first. If you only have compulsory traffic insurance, that won't cover it—it only handles others' losses. Last time I scraped the wall while reversing, the repair cost over 2000 yuan, and I ended up filing an insurance claim. However, I must remind you that after making a claim, next year's premium will increase. If the repair cost is less than 1000 yuan, it's actually more cost-effective to pay out of pocket. When filing a claim, you must take photos for evidence immediately and call the insurance company to report the incident. If you privately settle the repair and later find out you didn't report it, the insurance company won't compensate you retroactively.
Of course, you can file an insurance claim for self-inflicted scratches. That's exactly how I handled it when my old car scraped against a pillar in the garage the other day. The key is to report the accident within 48 hours, take clear photos of the scene, and then go to the 4S shop for damage assessment. However, insurance companies are now interconnected, and if you file too many claims, your renewal premium next year could increase significantly. Last time my wife got a small scratch on the car door, the 4S shop quoted 300 for repainting, but I decided not to file a claim. If only the plastic bumper is scratched, you might as well leave it and wait to fix it together with the next scratch—it's more convenient that way.
