How to File an Insurance Claim for Transmission Damage Without an Accident?
2 Answers
Report the incident to the insurance company within 24 hours, providing detailed information about the vehicle's damage. After filing the claim, the insurance company will arrange for an on-site inspection by their staff. During the inspection, the staff will take photos of the vehicle's damage. During the inspection process, you need to provide the staff with the owner's ID card, the original and copy of the motor vehicle driver's license, the motor vehicle registration certificate, and the owner's bank card number. After the inspection is completed, the vehicle should be taken to a designated repair facility or 4S store for repairs. The repair costs will be initially covered by the vehicle owner.
A few days ago, my car's transmission suddenly stopped working without any accidents—it was running just fine. I was quite confused at the time and quickly checked my insurance policy, only to find that standard insurance typically only covers damages caused by collisions. Internal mechanical failures like transmission issues are generally not covered. Before filing a claim, I contacted a repair shop to confirm the issue was due to wear and tear, not human damage. Then I called the insurance company's customer service, and they asked for vehicle records and repair reports to verify no accidents were involved before denying the claim. In the end, I had to pay out of pocket to replace the transmission, which cost a lot. But after the repair, I learned my lesson—regular maintenance is crucial, like checking transmission fluid levels and shift smoothness to prevent such surprises. Also, purchasing specialized mechanical failure insurance or an extended warranty can save a lot of hassle, especially for those driving older cars.