Can I Claim Insurance for a Second-Hand Car Without Transferring the Policy?

[DelMaya]

Insurance claims cannot be made for a second-hand car without transferring the policy. Below is an introduction to car insurance claims: 1. Overview: Car insurance claims refer to the process where the car owner files a claim with the insurance company after a traffic accident. The basic workflow of a claim includes steps such as reporting the incident, damage assessment, signing and receiving claim documents, calculation and review, approval, and final settlement. 2. Characteristics: Public nature of the insured: In China, car insurance policyholders were primarily companies and enterprises in the past. However, with the increase in personal car ownership, the proportion of individual car owners among the insured is gradually rising. These policyholders often purchase insurance passively and, due to limitations in culture, knowledge, and education, have limited understanding of insurance, traffic accident handling, and vehicle repairs. On the other hand, driven by interests, there can be significant communication barriers between inspectors, claim processors, and the insured during the claim process.

[EverlyAnn]

I've bought several used cars before and deeply understand the importance of transferring insurance. If you buy a car but don't complete the insurance transfer procedures, claims are usually problematic when an accident occurs. Insurance companies settle claims based on the owner information in the insurance contract. If the policy is still under the previous owner's name, the insurer won't compensate you directly. Last time I bought a car without handling this, the side mirror got hit, and when filing the claim, the insurance company required the original owner to be present—it took a lot of effort to resolve. To avoid such hassle, I recommend transferring the insurance as soon as you get a used car, or simply buying a new policy. The process is straightforward: just bring the required documents to the insurance company and fill out a form. Don’t underestimate this—delayed claims can also involve legal risks. By the way, when buying a used car, remember to check the tire pressure and brake pads—safety first.

[VanSamuel]

A friend of mine recently bought a used car and didn't transfer the insurance, thinking it wouldn't be a problem. One day, while reversing, he scraped a tree. When filing an insurance claim, the company discovered the owner's name didn't match and denied the claim. He had to pay for the repairs out of pocket, costing him a lot of unnecessary money. Now we all remember: after buying a used car, immediately transfer or purchase new insurance to protect yourself. The process isn't complicated—just bring the vehicle registration and new ID to the insurance company to get it done. For daily car use, also remember to regularly check the engine oil and coolant to prevent small issues from becoming big problems, saving both money and hassle.

[JayceMarie]

Buying a used car without transferring the insurance policy makes claims risky. Insurance companies rely on contracts, and if the owner information doesn't match, claims can be difficult. I've encountered a similar situation before and only resolved it by promptly contacting the previous owner to handle it together. It's recommended to immediately transfer the insurance policy at the insurance company—just bring the necessary documents. Don't delay; safe driving is the priority.