Can I claim insurance for self-inflicted scratches while reversing?
2 Answers
You can claim insurance for self-inflicted scratches while reversing, but it may not necessarily result in a payout. It depends on whether you have purchased scratch insurance. Details are as follows: Scratch Insurance: If your car has scratch insurance, scratches caused by your own negligence—typically due to careless driving—are usually covered, and the insurance company will provide corresponding compensation. If your car does not have scratch insurance, the insurance company is unlikely to approve the claim. Additionally, filing a claim will affect your renewal premium for the next year—the more claims you make, the higher your premium will rise. Insurance Claims: As long as you have insurance, you can request a claim for scratches. Report the incident to the insurance company within 48 hours, and they will send an assessor to evaluate the damage. If you report after 48 hours, you will need to bring your original ID to file the claim. You can truthfully explain the cause of the scratches, which will not affect the compensation amount from the insurance company.
I just got my driver's license recently, and it's quite annoying to have scratches from reversing by myself. You can claim insurance, but only if you have a car damage insurance policy. The last time I encountered a similar situation, I quickly checked the insurance terms and found that as long as the accident was my fault, I could file a claim. The steps are simple: don't move the car, immediately take photos of the scene and the damaged parts, then contact the insurance company to report. They usually send someone to assess the damage or recommend a designated repair shop. But I have to remind you that frequent claims will significantly increase next year's premiums. For a new driver like me, it's more cost-effective to pay for minor scratches out of pocket, spending a few hundred dollars to avoid higher long-term costs. Additionally, practicing reversing skills or installing a reversing camera can prevent similar issues in the future—safety first, after all.
