Is it appropriate to use insurance for a minor car scratch?
3 Answers
Insurance companies will cover the cost. Additional details: 1. A scratch is considered a two-party accident and requires police intervention. Traffic police will issue a liability determination report upon arrival. Based on this report, contact the insurance company to file a claim. An adjuster will visit the scene to assess and document the damage, covering all repair costs according to the actual loss. 2. If the insured vehicle is involved in a road traffic accident causing personal injury or property damage to victims other than the vehicle's occupants or the insured, the insurance company will compensate within the mandatory traffic accident liability insurance limits as per the law. If the loss from the traffic accident is intentionally caused by the victim, the insurance company will not provide compensation.
Last time I accidentally scraped an old car parked by the roadside, leaving a scratch on the rearview mirror. The repair cost was only about 400-500 yuan. I don’t think filing an insurance claim is necessarily the right move—it depends on the situation. For minor accidents, it’s often more convenient to negotiate privately and pay out of pocket. If you file a claim even when you’re fully at fault, the insurance company will pay, but your premium will increase the following year, potentially costing you thousands more—far exceeding the repair cost. However, for serious damage, like a dented door or repairs costing tens of thousands, insurance makes much more sense since the payout is higher. The key is to assess the repair cost: get an estimate from a repair shop, communicate politely with the owner, and stay calm. Take photos of the scene and the other party’s details in case of disputes later. In short: minor scratches are cheaper to handle yourself, but major accidents call for the security of insurance.
A friend of mine just scratched someone else's new car and panicked, immediately asking for my advice. I told him to weigh the costs of going through insurance: if the repair cost isn't high, like a small scratch that can be fixed for a few hundred bucks, it's better to pay out of pocket to avoid the insurance company noting it down, which could lead to higher premiums next year. On the other hand, if the damage is significant, like needing a full panel repaint or broken parts, then filing an insurance claim is the way to protect your own interests. From personal experience, I scratched a van two years ago, only losing a bit of paint, and privately gave the owner 500 yuan, who didn't make a big deal out of it. It saved future hassles and kept my premiums stable. But remember, no matter what, never flee the scene after a collision. Stop, take photos for evidence, exchange contact details, and ensure the other party doesn't take advantage of you. Minor bumps and scrapes are common in daily driving—just keep a calm mindset and proactively resolve the issue.
