Can I still file an insurance claim months after my car got scratched?
3 Answers
You can file a claim if you have scratch insurance. It does not affect the claim during the insurance period. Here is more information: 1. Scratch Insurance: The full name is Body Scratch Loss Insurance, which can be purchased for family-owned vehicles and non-commercial vehicles. It covers the cost of repainting the car's surface when there is no obvious collision damage, and the insurance company will compensate for the actual loss. 2. Notes: When reporting to the insurance company, pay special attention to the reporting time, which is usually within 48 hours. If it exceeds this time, the insured must personally go to the insurance company with their original ID card to file a supplementary report. After the insurance company assesses the damage, you can then go to a 4S shop for repairs.
I encountered a similar situation the year before last. My car got scratched in the underground parking lot of a shopping mall, and I didn't report it to the insurance company at the time because I was in a hurry. It wasn't until three months later when I went to repair the car that I found out most insurance companies explicitly require claims to be reported within 48 hours of the incident, and it's basically impossible to get compensation after that deadline. This rule is mainly to prevent evidence from disappearing over time, as on-site photos and surveillance footage may expire. However, if you can provide solid evidence that the incident happened at that time, such as complete dashcam footage, some companies might make an exception. So it's best to contact your insurance company immediately after a scratch to file a report, even if you don't plan to repair it right away. For minor scratches, it might be more cost-effective to save them and repair them together during the next claim, as the number of claims each year affects the following year's premium.
As a veteran driver with 15 years of experience, I recommend calling your insurance company immediately after a scrape. Last month, my neighbor's car was scratched in the residential area, and the other party fled. He only remembered to report it to the insurance two months later, resulting in a claim denial. Auto insurance contracts all include a 'timely reporting' clause—it's very difficult to handle after 48 hours. Car paint left outdoors for months will oxidize and discolor, making it hard for repair shops to distinguish between new and old damage, let alone the insurance company. If you must delay reporting, prepare a complete chain of evidence: timestamped accident photos, property surveillance footage, and a police station certificate—these three are essential. For minor scratches on the front bumper, there's no need to rush; a touch-up pen costing just a few dozen yuan can cover it. It’s more cost-effective to file a claim and repair it before renewing your insurance at year-end.
