Is a claim of over 10,000 yuan considered a major accident for a car?
4 Answers
Whether a claim of over 10,000 yuan is considered a major accident for a car depends on whether it is a third-party liability insurance or car insurance claim. If it is a car insurance claim, it is definitely a major accident, but for cars worth over 500,000 yuan, it may not be considered as such. Car insurance includes compulsory traffic insurance, vehicle damage insurance, third-party liability insurance, passenger liability insurance, full vehicle theft insurance, glass breakage insurance, and other basic coverages, as well as additional coverages such as scratch insurance, spontaneous combustion insurance, water driving insurance, cargo falling liability insurance, and no-deductible special liability insurance. Below is an introduction to some car insurance types: 1. Vehicle damage insurance: Used to compensate for losses caused by natural disasters and accidents to the vehicle itself, recommended for new drivers. 2. Third-party liability insurance: Used to compensate for losses caused by the car owner to third-party personal injuries or deaths, this is a must-have for both personal and others' protection. 3. No-deductible insurance: An additional coverage that transfers the responsibility the car owner needs to bear to the insurance company, reducing the owner's loss. If both vehicle damage insurance and third-party liability insurance are purchased, it is best to also purchase no-deductible insurance. 4. Theft insurance: Used to compensate for damages caused by theft, robbery, or seizure of the vehicle, recommended for new car owners without garages. 5. Passenger liability insurance: Used to compensate for losses suffered by the driver and passengers in the car due to traffic accidents, usually paid per seat, recommended for new drivers or family car owners.
I worked in a repair shop for almost ten years and have seen all kinds of accident vehicles. A claim of over 10,000 depends on the specific situation. Nowadays, labor and material costs for car repairs aren’t cheap—just replacing a bumper and repainting can cost three to five thousand. If it’s just scratch repairs plus replacing a few parts, this amount really doesn’t count as a major accident. But if the suspension structural components are damaged or the airbags deploy, that’s a different story. The key is to look at the claim item list—if it’s just exterior panel repairs, that’s fine, but be wary if the repair list includes processes like cutting and welding. Minor accident repairs generally don’t affect vehicle use, but remember to check the frame data to ensure the repair shop doesn’t cut corners.
Having handled numerous insurance claims, a payout of 10,000 yuan is not considered a major accident by today's standards. Luxury cars nowadays can cost 20,000-30,000 yuan just for a headlight replacement. The key assessment criteria is whether the vehicle's structural frame is damaged. Be particularly cautious if the repair items include front longitudinal beam straightening or safety system repairs. Generally, repairs under 50,000 yuan won't be classified as major accidents, though a premium increase in the second year is inevitable. I recommend carefully reviewing the damage assessment report, paying special attention to airbag replacement records as such repairs directly impact used car values. After daily driving, be attentive to unusual noises or steering pull, and get a wheel alignment promptly if issues are detected.
Structural damage is the biggest concern when evaluating a used car. Repair costs around 10,000 yuan usually indicate non-critical damage, often involving replacement of exterior parts like bumpers or headlights. However, there's an exception: if the radiator support or firewall was repaired, even minor repairs indicate significant structural compromise. For such vehicles, we meticulously inspect weld points and paint thickness - any signs of re-welding immediately classify it as an accident vehicle. The used car market severely discounts accident vehicles nowadays; even minor accident cars sell for 20-30% less than normal ones. Always keep complete maintenance records as evidence for future resale.
