How many years old can a car be to purchase scratch insurance?
4 Answers
Scratch insurance is generally available for vehicles within 3 years of age: 1. Introduction to scratch insurance: The full name is Vehicle Scratch Loss Insurance, applicable to family-owned and non-commercial vehicles. It covers isolated paint scratches on the vehicle's surface without obvious collision marks during the insurance period, with compensation provided by the insurance company based on actual losses; 2. Compensation: Typically, insurance companies apply a 15% deductible to scratch insurance claims. Scratch insurance comes with different coverage amounts, starting from 2,000 up to 5,000, etc. Each claim reduces the coverage amount accordingly; 3. Claim frequency: Scratch insurance is an additional coverage to Vehicle Damage Insurance, meaning it can only be purchased alongside Vehicle Damage Insurance and not separately. Claims made under scratch insurance are counted towards the annual total claim frequency. There is no limit to the number of claims within the policy year, but the total compensation cannot exceed the coverage limit.
I heard that scratch insurance mainly targets new cars within three years. Like the car I bought last year, which is just over a year old, adding this option when buying insurance felt like a great deal, saving me from paying out of pocket for minor scratches. However, insurance companies generally don’t cover older cars because the risk of scratches is too high. For cars four or five years old, the paint tends to age and existing damage makes it hard to file claims. Adding scratch insurance for a new car really helps protect its appearance, and the premium is low—it’s advisable to consider it during the first insurance purchase. Don’t delay too long to avoid missing the window. Also, parking away from branches and gravel can reduce scratch worries. Overall, it’s a good investment for protecting your beloved car.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I understand that scratch insurance typically only covers relatively new cars within five years. It's easier to purchase with reasonable premiums for cars within three years, but insurers generally don't offer this type of coverage for older cars after seven or eight years due to frequent wear and tear, which significantly increases the likelihood of claims. Adding this coverage for a new car is very practical—one claim can save hundreds in repair costs. However, for older cars, it's more cost-effective to regularly wash and wax the car for maintenance. The key is to consult with the insurance company in a timely manner based on the car's age to avoid wasting effort on futile attempts.
We have a four-year-old car and wanted to add scratch insurance, but it was rejected. The insurance company said they only accept new cars within three years, as older cars have more scratches and higher risks, making them uninsurable. It's very worthwhile for new cars to purchase this coverage as it can cover accidental scrape costs, but for overaged cars, it's more practical to save on premiums and spend the money on regular maintenance instead. It's recommended that car owners regularly check their car's paint condition to prevent issues beforehand.
