Can You Claim Depreciation for a New Car That Has Been Hit?
3 Answers
According to relevant laws in China, compensation for traffic accidents generally does not include vehicle depreciation fees, only covering the costs of repairing the damaged vehicle. However, in judicial practice, depreciation fees can be claimed under certain special circumstances, such as when a new car parked at a 4S dealership and not yet sold is damaged. There are three key points to note when inspecting a new car: Check the paint surface: Pay special attention to the uniformity and smoothness of the seams. It is best to compare two cars of the same model. The gaps between the doors, bumper, and engine hood should be consistent. Be cautious if the gaps are too large or differ in width from other vehicles. Check the tires: The tires of a new car should have no damage to the sidewalls, and the front tires should show no signs of punctures. Ideally, the tread hairs should be intact on both front and rear tires, or at least visible on the rear tires. If no tread hairs are visible on either set of tires but the odometer shows only a few kilometers, this is abnormal. Check the nameplate: Each vehicle's nameplate corresponds to a unique engine number and chassis number. Verify these numbers against the certification codes to ensure they match. Also, check the manufacturing date on the nameplate; the time between the manufacturing date and the delivery date should not exceed three months.
When it comes to claiming depreciation costs for a newly purchased car after an accident, I’d like to share my personal experience. Last year, I bought a brand-new SUV, and it was rear-ended within less than a week of driving. After the repairs, I had it professionally appraised and found that the accident had reduced the car’s value by nearly 30,000 yuan. I directly contacted the other party’s insurance company, and based on liability assessment, they compensated me for the depreciation. The entire process required keeping the accident report, repair invoices, and market appraisal report. The insurance company handled it relatively quickly, but if you didn’t go through insurance, you could pursue legal action to claim compensation. New cars already depreciate significantly, and an accident makes it even worse. I recommend taking timely action to avoid further losses. Now, I also schedule regular vehicle inspections to prevent future issues.
From an insurance perspective, if a new car is involved in a collision, you can absolutely claim compensation for depreciation. This typically falls under the category of post-accident value loss. When the other party is fully at fault, you can submit a claim to their insurance company, which should include a depreciation assessment. You'll need to prepare accident documentation, repair receipts, and a third-party professional appraisal report. Depreciation compensation is not automatically covered; the insurance company will review it based on liability and the vehicle's condition. If negotiations fail, courts generally support such claims, but the process may take weeks to months. The key is proving that the accident caused a reduction in the car's market value. It's advisable to contact the insurance company early to ensure a smooth process. Accidents involving new cars have significant impacts, and prompt action can help recover some economic losses.
