How to File an Insurance Claim or Repair the Car Yourself After a Scratch?
2 Answers
There are two scenarios after a car scratches itself, as detailed below: 1. If the vehicle is covered by commercial insurance, specifically the vehicle damage insurance, the owner can directly report the incident to the insurance company for vehicle handling. 2. If the vehicle is not covered by commercial insurance, the owner must repair the scratch themselves and cannot file an insurance claim. Below is an additional introduction to the process for car owners to claim compensation from the insurance company: 1. The car owner should report the incident to the insurance company within 48 hours, and the insurance company will dispatch a specialized loss assessor to evaluate the damage. 2. If more than 48 hours have passed, the car owner is advised to bring their original ID card to the insurance company to report the incident. 3. If the insurance company's loss assessor asks whether the scratch was self-inflicted, the car owner can answer truthfully, as this will not affect the compensation amount from the insurance company.
I've been driving for over a decade and have dealt with many minor scratches myself. For shallow scratches or small dents on the car body, DIY repairs are very cost-effective. Just buy a touch-up pen or a sandpaper and grinder kit for a few dozen bucks, follow online tutorials, and you can fix it in about an hour. Filing an insurance claim is a hassle: first, you need to report the damage and get an assessment, pay the deductible (which could be hundreds or even thousands), and then face a 10%-20% premium hike next year—hardly worth it. Last time I scraped a pillar while reversing, a friend taught me how to sand and spray paint, and I fixed it for just 80 bucks without touching my insurance. Remember, if the damage is below your deductible or minor, DIY repairs save money and hassle while giving you new skills and a sense of accomplishment. Only file a claim for major damage, like a cracked bumper—otherwise, it’s a losing deal. Get into the habit of checking twice when parking; prevention saves a lot of trouble.
