Should I Report a Scratch on My New Car to Insurance After One Month?
2 Answers
You can decide whether to report the scratch to your insurance based on the extent of the damage. Minor Scratches: If your car has minor scratches, such as chipped paint or slight deformation of a part, it's better to handle it yourself. Reporting such minor incidents to insurance can be troublesome due to the complicated claims process and may also affect your premium the following year. Major Scratches: If the damage is severe, you should immediately proceed with the insurance claim process. After reporting the incident to your insurance company, the 4S shop will disassemble the car and negotiate the repair costs with the insurer. Once the cost is agreed upon, the repairs can proceed, and you can then claim the expenses with the repair invoice.
Just scratched my new car, and I often talk about this. Should I file an insurance claim? It really depends on how severe the scratch is: If it's a small scratch or surface paint damage, it's more cost-effective to pay for the repair yourself. For example, getting a paint job at a local repair shop can cost just a few hundred bucks. Filing a claim will definitely increase your premium next year, ranging from a few hundred to over a thousand. Last time I filed a claim for a minor accident, my premium went up by 800 bucks the following year. But if the damage is serious, like a broken headlight or a dent in the body, and the repair cost exceeds 2000 RMB, then it's better to file a claim to save a significant amount. Also, check your commercial insurance policy—does it include 'no deductible' coverage? If the repair cost is below the deductible, filing a claim won't help. In short, take photos first, get an estimate, weigh the costs against the potential premium increase, and don’t rush to file a claim.
