How to Report Car Scratches to Insurance?
2 Answers
After a vehicle accident, the policyholder should immediately call the official customer service number of the insurance company to report the claim, providing details such as the accident location and the extent of vehicle damage. Upon receiving the report, the insurance company will dispatch a vehicle inspector to the scene. The inspector will thoroughly assess the extent of the vehicle damage and complete a damage assessment form. The inspector will then submit the damage assessment form to the insurance company's review department for further processing.
When there are scratches on the car and I want to file an insurance claim, I usually have to follow a step-by-step process. My first reaction is to check whether the vehicle insurance policy covers scratches, which is mostly included in comprehensive insurance, but not in compulsory traffic insurance. Then, I take a few photos of the scratches and use my phone to record the location and extent of the damage. Next, I contact the insurance company's claim hotline, inform them of the time and place of the incident, and clarify whether it was accidental or intentional. The insurance company will ask me to fill out a claim form and may send an assessor to the scene or a partnered repair shop to evaluate the damage. The whole process requires patience, and I shouldn’t rush to repair the car until the insurance confirms coverage. Sometimes, I also need to consider whether the repair cost is worth it, as minor scratches may not exceed the deductible, and filing a claim could affect next year’s no-claim discount. To prevent future scratches, I choose safe parking spots, avoiding narrow lanes and bushes, and I regret not adding a protective film last year.
