Should I Report a Scratch on My New Car to Insurance After One Month?
4 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.
Oh no, my new car got scratched just a month after I bought it, and I'm feeling quite panicked. It's my first time encountering this situation, and I'm not sure whether I should file an insurance claim. My advice is, don't act impulsively—first, take photos of the scene, including detailed shots of the scratches. If it's just minor scuffs, you can use a touch-up paint pen or spend a few hundred bucks to have it fixed at a small repair shop. If the damage is serious, like scratches on the headlights or safety-critical areas, then filing an insurance claim is the safer bet. Remember to consult car-savvy friends or check forum experiences—filing a claim could raise your premium by around 20%, which might not be worth it. Handling minor accidents yourself helps you gain experience and saves hassle, plus it makes you more cautious when driving in the future.
Calculate the financial implications before filing an insurance claim: Compare the cost of self-repair with the potential increase in next year's premium. For minor scratches or shallow dents with repair costs under 500 RMB, it's better not to claim, as the premium might rise by 1000 RMB, resulting in a loss. For significant damages like a broken headlight with repair costs exceeding 2000 RMB, filing a claim is cost-effective to share the risk. During the new car protection period, insurance claim records can easily increase long-term costs. The deductible for commercial insurance is usually 500 RMB; file a claim if repairs exceed this amount. For example, if repairs cost 800 RMB and the premium increases by 1200 RMB, it's better to pay out of pocket. If repairs cost 3000 RMB, filing a claim is advisable. Assess the situation before taking action.
