How to File an Insurance Claim for Multiple Old Car Damages?
3 Answers
The old damages on the car were caused previously, and now you want to file an insurance claim. As long as it is within the insurance period, the insurance company will compensate. However, this is considered a non-accident scene case, so a deductible will apply. The deductible is usually 15% (meaning only 85% will be compensated).
Last time, there were several old scratches on my car, and I almost got the short end of the stick when dealing with the insurance. Here’s some advice: It’s best to handle old damages all at once when a new accident occurs, but you must have the loss assessor confirm the difference between old and new damages on the spot. First, call the insurance company to report the claim, explaining that the new damages from this accident will also cover the repair of old damages. The key is to have a complete chain of accident evidence, such as clear photos of the collision points, with both old and new damages clearly marked. Never repair the damages yourself first, or the insurance company might deny the claim. I recommend going directly to a 4S shop, as they are more familiar with insurance procedures and can help coordinate the loss assessment. Remember, policies vary between insurance companies—for example, PICC requires that car damages must be within three years to be eligible for combined claims. Before proceeding, it’s best to review the deductible clauses in your policy to avoid unnecessary hassle.
My neighbor just dealt with a similar situation. The dents on his car door and scratches on the bumper were actually old damages from six months ago. Insurance companies typically compensate for new accidents separately unless you can prove a causal relationship between the old damages and the new incident. Here's how to proceed: When calling to report the claim, clearly state that you're requesting a comprehensive assessment of all vehicle damages. When the claims adjuster arrives, proactively point out all damage areas and provide maintenance records or old photos as evidence. Note that rules vary by region—Beijing allows combining old damages within two years for processing, while Shenzhen is much stricter. I recommend checking the additional clauses in your own auto insurance's collision coverage first, as some companies offer more flexible specialized scratch insurance services. The entire process takes about 3 days and involves filling out five or six forms, so be mentally prepared. For repairs, I'd suggest going with partner shops as they're familiar with how to prepare claim bills.
