What is the solution if a parked car gets scratched?
3 Answers
The solution if a parked car gets scratched is: 1. If the responsible vehicle cannot be found, the car owner should immediately report to the police. Before reporting, use a mobile phone or camera to take comprehensive photos of the accident scene, including the location of the accident and the damaged parts of the car; 2. If there is surveillance footage in the parking area, retrieve the footage as soon as possible to obtain evidence; 3. File a police report. If the police find the responsible party, all damages to the car will be compensated by the perpetrator. If the perpetrator cannot be found, the traffic police should issue an accident liability determination form, clearly stating that the perpetrator fled the scene.
Finding your car scratched while parked is indeed frustrating. I suggest staying calm first and walking around the vehicle to assess the damage. If it's just minor scratches, you can take it to a car wash for polishing, which might cost around 100-200 yuan. For serious damage, remember to immediately take photos of the scene with your phone, especially capturing the full view of the license plate and close-ups of the scratches, while noting the surrounding environmental features. Check surveillance footage if available. If scratched in a paid parking lot, it's best to contact the management, as they may share liability. If the offending vehicle can't be found, you'll need to file an insurance claim—remember to contact your insurer within 24 hours and bring your vehicle registration to the assessment center. For daily parking, choose well-lit spots and avoid narrow road corners. Installing a dashcam with parking surveillance is also quite useful for prevention.
Don't panic when your car gets scratched. First check the scratch depth - if the black primer is exposed, professional repair is needed, while shallow scratches can be treated with scratch wax yourself. Immediately contact the parking lot administrator to check surveillance footage; paid parking lots are required to provide video evidence. Report to the police promptly to obtain an accident report, which serves as crucial documentation for insurance claims. Remember to take comprehensive photos as evidence, especially capturing skid marks on the ground or paint residue from the other vehicle. When contacting your insurer, specify it's a parked car damage case and utilize the 'unidentified third party' clause in your policy, which typically qualifies for full compensation. For repairs, consider authorized dealerships using OEM paint to minimize color mismatch. Long-term, parking next to pillars or walls reduces scratching risks. I've developed a habit of walking around my car for inspection after each parking.
