Can I Claim Insurance If My Car Was Scratched While Parked on the Roadside?
2 Answers
Whether insurance will cover the damage if your car was scratched while parked on the roadside depends on the actual situation. If the car was hit while parked on the roadside and the responsible party can be identified, then the other party's compulsory traffic insurance and third-party liability insurance, as well as your own vehicle damage insurance, can provide compensation. If the responsible party cannot be found, but you have purchased vehicle damage insurance, compensation can be provided within the scope of the vehicle damage insurance coverage. If you have not purchased vehicle damage insurance, then no compensation can be obtained. Vehicle damage insurance is a type of commercial insurance and does not include other types of insurance. Insurance Coverage: Vehicle damage insurance is a type of commercial insurance designed to compensate for losses incurred by the vehicle due to accidents or natural disasters, and it operates on a voluntary principle. Covered incidents include collisions, overturning, fire, explosion, collapse of external objects, falling objects from the sky, parallel falling of the insured vehicle while in motion, lightning strikes, storms, tornadoes, heavy rain, floods, avalanches, hail, mudslides, landslides, etc. Commercial Insurance: Vehicle damage insurance refers to a type of automobile commercial insurance where the insurer compensates within a reasonable range for damages to the insured vehicle caused by an insured accident while the vehicle is being used by the insured or an authorized driver. In the event of an insured accident, the insurer will bear the necessary and reasonable rescue expenses paid by the insured to prevent or reduce the loss of the insured vehicle, up to the amount of the insured sum.
My car also got scratched while parked on the roadside before. At that time, I noticed several scratches on the body with paint chipped off. I immediately took photos with my phone as evidence, especially of the damaged areas and parking location, in case of future disputes. Then I contacted my insurance company for consultation. They told me that if I had purchased additional coverage like scratch insurance under the auto damage insurance, I could file a claim. However, I needed to provide on-site photos and an accident certificate. The claims process wasn't complicated: after reporting the case, the claims adjuster would assess the damage and compensate me for repairs. The downside is that after making one claim, next year's premium might increase by 15% to 30%, so it's more cost-effective to pay out of pocket for minor damages. My suggestion is to first evaluate the extent of the damage - use a touch-up pen for light scratches; only file a claim for serious damage. Also, try to park close to the curb and avoid busy areas to reduce risks.
