Should I File an Insurance Claim for a Self-Inflicted Scratch on My Car?
3 Answers
You need to compare the costs between filing an insurance claim and repairing it yourself to determine which option is more economical. Cost Comparison: If the increase in next year's premium due to filing a claim exceeds the cost of repairing it yourself, then opt for self-repair. Conversely, if the damage is severe and the self-repair cost far exceeds the premium increase after filing a claim, then it's better to file an insurance claim. Relevant Factors: Currently, after the second reform of commercial insurance, there are regional differences. However, you can still calculate the commercial insurance coefficient based on the following four factors: No-Claim Discount Coefficient × Traffic Violation Coefficient × Independent Channel Coefficient × Independent Underwriting Coefficient. Except for the No-Claim Discount Coefficient, the other three coefficients generally remain unchanged if you file claims no more than twice. The Traffic Violation Coefficient is mostly not yet activated in many regions and is calculated as 1. The Independent Channel Coefficient and Independent Underwriting Coefficient currently have a minimum of 0.75 each. If you scratch your new car yourself, it's considered a single-party accident with no third-party losses. In the first year of insurance, the standard rate applies (meaning the No-Claim Discount Coefficient is 1). Therefore, you need to weigh the costs between filing an insurance claim and repairing it yourself to decide which is more economical.
I've been driving for over 15 years, and minor scratches are inevitable. That time when I accidentally scraped the door while reversing, the damage wasn't deep—just some paint scratches. I drove straight to the 4S store for an assessment. The technician said the repair would cost just over 300 yuan, but my insurance deductible was 800 yuan. Filing a claim would definitely increase my premium by a few hundred yuan next year. After weighing the options, paying out of pocket was more cost-effective, saving me from the long-term burden of higher premiums. If the damage were more severe, like a broken headlight or dented body panel, and the cost exceeded the deductible, then filing a claim would be necessary to protect my rights. Driving requires attentiveness—paying more attention to the surroundings can reduce such incidents. Keeping the car well-maintained is always a top priority for safety.
As a novice driver just starting out, I accidentally scraped a pillar while turning in the parking lot last week and panicked, not knowing what to do. I took photos and sent them to a group of car repair technicians. They advised me to first assess the extent of the damage: minor paint scratches could be fixed for just two to three hundred yuan, but with my high insurance deductible, filing a claim might not be cost-effective. I opted to get a quote from a local repair shop in my neighborhood first and ended up spending 200 yuan out of pocket for a quick and hassle-free paint touch-up. Although insurance could cover part of the cost, the claim process is complicated and time-consuming, and it might even affect future discounts. The lesson learned is to avoid rushing while driving and to get used to using the rearview camera for assistance. Address minor car issues promptly to prevent them from turning into major problems.
