How to File an Insurance Claim for Car Scratches?
3 Answers
Under the premise of having car insurance, the car owner should submit a reimbursement claim to the insurance company and present the insurance policy, driver's license, and the policyholder's ID card. The car owner needs to fill out an accident report form, describe the accident process, and provide contact information. Take photos of the car scratches and the overall vehicle appearance for damage assessment. The car owner then signs for repairs. When reporting the incident to the insurance company, pay special attention to the reporting time, usually within 48 hours. If the deadline is exceeded, visit the insurance company in person to file a supplementary report. If the car is scratched on the road, a traffic accident certificate issued by the traffic police is required. If the car is scratched off the road, an accident certificate from the local police station is needed.
It's actually not difficult to file an insurance claim for car scratches, as I've handled several similar cases before. The first step is to take on-site photos for evidence - use your phone to clearly capture the scratches from various angles, making sure to include the surrounding environment and vehicle position, as these photos are crucial for damage assessment. Then immediately contact your insurance company to report the claim. When calling, remember to clearly state the time, location, and approximate damage situation - they'll provide you with a claim number. Next, the insurance company will arrange for an assessor to inspect the vehicle or ask you to go to a designated location for assessment. After receiving the damage assessment report, you can proceed to the repair shop. Keep all repair invoices and itemized lists safe during repairs, as you'll need to submit them to the insurance company for final settlement. Two key reminders: It's best to report the claim within 48 hours after the incident, and avoid moving your vehicle casually to prevent loss of evidence. While the process isn't complicated, filing a claim for significant damage can save you considerable money.
Last time my car got a pretty long scratch, and I filed an insurance claim directly. First, you need to assess whether the damage is worth reporting—for instance, if the repair cost exceeds a thousand bucks, it's more cost-effective; otherwise, the premium increase next year might cost you more. When filing the claim, call the insurance company's customer service and remember to clearly state that your parked car was scratched with no at-fault party found, as this falls under the comprehensive coverage. During the damage assessment, avoid small repair shops and insist on going to a 4S dealership for repairs using original parts. The documentation required for the process is quite straightforward: just copies of your ID, driver's license, and insurance policy. I later discovered a trick—if the scratch isn't too deep, you can actually wait and report it together with another incident later. But if the scratch reaches the primer, you should address it immediately to prevent rust.
