Does Vehicle Damage Insurance Cover Your Own Car or Someone Else's?
3 Answers
Vehicle Damage Insurance covers your own car. When the insured vehicle is damaged during the insurance period due to an accident caused by the insured or an authorized driver, the insurance company will compensate within a reasonable range through Vehicle Damage Insurance. For example, in cases where a collision between two vehicles during driving causes damage, if you are fully or partially at fault, your own vehicle will be covered under Vehicle Damage Insurance, while the other party's vehicle will be covered under Compulsory Traffic Accident Liability Insurance and Third-Party Liability Insurance. Under the following circumstances, regardless of the cause of the insured vehicle's damage, the insurer will not be responsible for compensation: Earthquakes, wars, military conflicts, terrorist activities, riots, seizures, confiscations, government requisitions; Competitions, tests, during repair or maintenance at commercial repair shops; Using the insured vehicle for illegal activities; Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or narcotics; Hit-and-run accidents involving the insured vehicle.
Vehicle Damage Insurance is, of course, to cover your own car. What I mean is, if you accidentally hit a tree or get scratched by someone else while driving, this insurance will help cover the cost of repairs or compensation, without involving others. Third-Party Liability Insurance is what covers the damage you cause to someone else's car or property. Remember when I reversed into a wall while parking last time? The rear fender got dented, and the Vehicle Damage Insurance covered the repair costs of several thousand yuan. Without it, paying out of pocket would have been heartbreaking. I recommend everyone get it, especially for new or high-value cars—the premium isn’t expensive, and it protects against unexpected incidents. Additionally, Vehicle Damage Insurance usually covers accidents, natural disasters, and even theft, but you need to check the details of your policy. Don’t assume it covers everything—for example, drunk driving or driving without an annual inspection might lead to claim rejection. Always review your policy and chat with your insurance advisor to stay worry-free.
As an average driver, I believe that vehicle damage insurance is designed to protect our own cars. In case of an accident that damages the vehicle, it covers the repair costs without involving others' losses. Third-party liability insurance, on the other hand, compensates for damages you cause to other people's vehicles. When I bought my car, I opted for this insurance, with premiums costing a few hundred yuan annually depending on the car model—quite cost-effective. Once, my car roof got dented in a hailstorm, and the vehicle damage insurance fully covered the repairs. New drivers are advised not to skimp on this expense, as their risk of vehicle damage is higher. It's also important to regularly check if the policy covers all potential risks, like some older cars not covering spontaneous combustion. In short, buying insurance is for peace of mind; don't wait until an accident happens to regret it.
