Can I Get an Assessment at a 4S Shop Without Repairing?
2 Answers
You can get an assessment at a 4S shop without repairing. Below is the detailed process for car insurance claims: 1. Report the Incident: Promptly call the national unified customer hotline for car insurance to report the incident, such as "Pacific Insurance" at 95500, "Taiping Insurance" at 95589, or "Ping An Auto Insurance" via the "Ping An Good Driver" app for online reporting. Insurance regulations stipulate that the policyholder must report the incident within 48 hours of its occurrence. If reported after 48 hours and the policyholder cannot provide relevant incident proof, making it impossible for the insurer to verify the incident's authenticity and the extent of the loss, the insurer reserves the right to deny the claim. 2. On-site Inspection: Upon receiving the report, the insurance company will arrange for an inspector to assist with on-site handling. The inspector will then indicate which claim materials are required, and these materials must be submitted to the insurer promptly after the incident is resolved. 3. Assessment: The assessor will evaluate the vehicle's damage and issue an assessment form. If the policyholder agrees with the amount on the assessment form and has no objections, they can sign to initiate the claim. If the policyholder believes the insurer's assessment is unreasonable, they should refuse to sign the assessment form. 4. Submit Claim Materials and Review: After the incident is resolved, submit the claim materials as required by the insurer. Upon receiving the materials, the insurer will complete the approval process as quickly as possible and notify the policyholder of the result. The review time depends on the claim amount; larger claims will take longer to review.
I've had a similar experience before. After accidentally rear-ending someone while driving, I went directly to the 4S shop for damage assessment but didn't let them do the repairs. This approach is feasible mainly because they will come to assess the extent of the damage and provide you with an official quote. I did this to save money and for convenience, as sometimes insurance claims require a report. This way, I can get reimbursed and then either have the repairs done at a small shop run by an acquaintance or postpone the repairs. However, be aware that some 4S shops may charge an assessment fee, especially for premium car brands, which could be around two to three hundred yuan. It's advisable to call ahead and confirm their policy to avoid unnecessary expenses. After the assessment, keep the documents safe, as they won't affect future insurance claims. But if the damage significantly impacts safety, it's best to get it repaired promptly. Overall, being flexible with your choices is good and can help you manage your budget.
