Can I Use Insurance for Paint Touch-up at a 4S Shop?
3 Answers
You can use insurance for paint touch-up at a 4S shop. For minor repair costs, you can file a claim under the scratch insurance, regardless of the location of the scratches. This is suitable for multiple small scratches on the car. The 4S shop will ask the owner to call the insurance company and report that the car was scratched while parked on the roadside with multiple scratches. The rest will be handled by the 4S shop for repairs. If the damage is concentrated and it's convenient to create an on-site scenario, you can file under the car damage insurance. Remember, it's best to use scratch insurance once a year, saving up minor damages for a single repair. Insurance Claim Notes: If the owner files only one claim in a year, even if the cost is low, it's still recommended to report it to the insurance company, as it won't affect the premium discount for the following year. Scratch Insurance Coverage: Scratch insurance covers isolated scratches on the car without any signs of collision or scraping. However, scratches on the car's paint surface caused by collisions or scraping during driving are not covered under scratch insurance.
I remember last year my car got scratched while parked outside, so I rushed to the 4S shop for touch-up paint, and they helped me file an insurance claim. Since it was someone else's fault and I had dashcam evidence, the insurance company quickly approved full reimbursement. For minor scratches in daily life, insurance usually doesn’t cover them—it only applies to accidental damages like collisions or scrapes. If you accidentally scratch it yourself, the insurance won’t pay and may even raise your premium. You’ll need an accident report or photos to proceed with the claim. 4S shops do a great job with paint repairs, but they’re expensive; paying out of pocket without insurance isn’t cost-effective. I suggest car owners call their insurance company first to understand policy details and avoid unnecessary trips. Regular car body maintenance helps minimize damage. These tips come from over a decade of driving experience, and I’m sharing them hoping they’ll help others.
When I first got my driver's license, my car got scratched, and I anxiously went to the 4S shop for a touch-up. They told me that filing an insurance claim required an accident report. Not all touch-ups can be claimed—only those resulting from unexpected incidents, like being rear-ended or side-swiped. That time, I scraped the wall while parking myself, and after filing a claim, it wasn't covered, and my premium even went up. Later, I got smarter and started using polishing paste for minor issues. For damage caused by accidents, after reporting to the insurance company, they’ll arrange for the 4S shop to handle it, covering all costs. The process requires you to take photos and report to the police promptly; otherwise, the insurer might deny the claim. Now I know the money-saving trick: check the terms on your insurance policy, and don’t rely on the 4S shop for everything. Using insurance wisely can save you a lot.
