How to Report a Car Scratch to Insurance?
3 Answers
Call the insurance company to explain the on-site situation. The insurance company will not provide compensation if reported after 48 hours. Preserve the on-site situation, and the insurance company will send someone to verify. The insurance company will dispatch personnel to the scene for inspection and issue an inspection report. The vehicle owner should drive the car to the designated loss assessment center specified by the insurance company or chosen by the owner for assessment, and then the repair shop will carry out the repairs. After the owner picks up the car, they need to collect the claim materials and submit them to the insurance company to process the claim. After receiving the complete claim documents provided by the owner, the insurance company will calculate the repair costs and other expenses, and determine the claim amount upon completion of the calculation.
Last time my car was scratched while parked on the roadside, and the culprit fled the scene. I immediately called 122 to report to the police, and when they arrived, they issued a ticket confirming it as a hit-and-run. Then I contacted my insurance company to file a claim. The customer service representative asked for details about the time, location, and damage to the car. I took photos of the scratches on the car body and the surrounding environment, and kept the surveillance footage as evidence. I submitted the claim application within 48 hours and waited for the assessor to come and evaluate the damage. Finally, I chose an authorized 4S shop for repairs, and the costs were directly reimbursed by the insurance. The most crucial part of the whole process is securing evidence as soon as possible, and never settle privately, as it can easily lead to losses.
My car was scratched in the mall parking lot. First, ensure safety by turning on hazard lights and placing a warning triangle. Use your phone to photograph the collision point, the other party's license plate, and a panoramic view of the scene, making sure to clearly capture the parking space lines on the ground. Obtaining surveillance footage from the mall is crucial as it serves as key evidence for determining fault. Then, exchange driver's license and insurance policy photos with the other party, and directly call the insurance company to report the accident location. If the other party refuses to cooperate, call the police and wait for the traffic police to issue a liability determination report. Before sending the car for repairs, have the insurance company confirm the assessed damage amount—don't rush to sign anything. Remember to follow up on the claims progress; typically, the process can be completed within 3 working days.
