Is it necessary to go to a 4S shop for new car scratches?
4 Answers
Car scratches can be covered by insurance, depending on the damage, either under scratch insurance or car damage insurance. For example: If the car is parked in a residential area and a mischievous child uses a sharp object to scratch the car's paint, this situation can be claimed if the corresponding insurance is purchased. If the scratches are caused by an accident during driving, they fall under the coverage of car damage insurance. In the above cases, if scratch insurance is purchased, you can directly call the insurance company to report the claim and arrange for repairs. Below is a detailed introduction to scratch insurance coverage: 1. Coverage: Scratch insurance can cover damage to the car's paint caused by sharp objects. However, car owners should note that losses caused by collisions with other objects, such as vehicle collisions or scraping against fixed objects, are not covered by scratch insurance but fall under car damage insurance. 2. Scratch insurance liability: The insurance liability of scratch insurance is for malicious acts by others that cause artificial scratches on the insured vehicle's body. Losses caused by intentional acts by the insured, their family members, drivers, or their family members are excluded from coverage.
As someone with over a decade of driving experience, I believe whether to take new car scratches to a 4S shop depends on the scratch depth. Light scratches that only affect the clear coat can be fixed by purchasing some repair paste or rubbing with toothpaste – it's cost-effective and convenient. However, deep scratches that expose the metal or primer must be repaired professionally to prevent rust and paint corrosion. 4S shops use original equipment and paint materials with superb color matching, making repairs look brand new, though the cost often exceeds thousands, much pricier than roadside repair shops. My own new car got scratched once, and after checking it was a light mark that I handled myself. For deep scratches, I'd prioritize 4S shops to maintain factory conditions. Don't neglect new car maintenance – regular washing and waxing can also prevent minor scratch issues.
When I first bought my new car, I was particularly concerned about every scratch, always worried it would affect the appearance. For scratches on a new car, I suggest first assessing the extent of the damage: small fine scratches can be touched up with a scratch repair pen, which is cost-effective and works decently; for larger scratches, it's best to go to the 4S shop—their painting process can perfectly restore the original factory color, avoiding any aftereffects. A friend of mine regretted not choosing professional service after his DIY repair resulted in a color mismatch. Keeping a new car in its original condition is important, and after repairs, be mindful of parking away from sharp objects to minimize secondary damage. From an economic perspective, although 4S shops are more expensive, they offer better guarantees and are a worthwhile investment.
Saving money is my style when it comes to car maintenance. For minor scratches on a new car, there's no need to rush to the dealership—it's too expensive. Small marks can be easily handled at home. Try rubbing them out with toothpaste or scratch repair wax; it only takes a few minutes. For more serious damage, a local repair shop can do the job for around 300-400 RMB with a paint touch-up, saving you thousands compared to dealership prices. New cars often come with minor repair services covered by insurance, so check your policy for possible reimbursements. The key is to fix scratches quickly to prevent rust, and applying a transparent protective film daily can help avoid future damage.
