Is it okay not to buy vehicle damage insurance?
2 Answers
Auto insurance can be purchased without vehicle damage insurance, depending on your actual situation. Classification of auto insurance: Auto insurance is generally divided into compulsory traffic insurance and commercial auto insurance. Compulsory traffic insurance is mandatory, and failure to pay it may result in penalties. Commercial auto insurance, on the other hand, includes third-party liability insurance, vehicle damage insurance, and passenger liability insurance, among others. These are not mandatory, so car owners can choose to purchase them based on their needs. If they deem it unnecessary, they can opt not to buy them. Definition of vehicle damage insurance: Vehicle damage insurance means that when an accident occurs and the car owner is fully at fault, if their vehicle is damaged and requires repairs, the vehicle damage insurance can be used—meaning the insurance company will cover the repair costs. If vehicle damage insurance is not purchased and the car owner is fully at fault, they will have to pay for the repairs themselves, as the insurance company will not cover the expenses.
I've been driving for over a decade. At first, I thought car damage insurance was unnecessary and tried to save on premiums. But after a minor scrape cost me over 5,000 RMB in repairs out of pocket, it really hurt. Without this coverage, you'd have to bear all vehicle loss costs yourself - including accident repairs or even total write-off risks. While not mandatory, I see car damage insurance as a safety net, especially for new cars or frequent long-distance drivers, preventing massive unexpected expenses. Drive carefully, but if rear-ended or hit by natural disasters, insurance shares the burden. If your budget allows, I recommend getting it - don't lose big trying to save small.