What to do if you find your car scratched after several days?
2 Answers
If you discover your car has been scratched after several days and need to notify the insurance company to file a claim, you can formally report the incident to the insurance company within 48 hours by bringing the original insurance policy, vehicle registration, driver's license, and the insured's ID card. If the incident is reported on the spot, most insurance companies will conduct an on-site investigation and issue relevant documentation. Some insurance companies may require the policyholder to directly report the damage at a designated loss assessment point or repair shop. Below are some parking precautions: 1. Basic parking principle: Consider not only your own convenience for entering and exiting but also that of others, and be mindful of potential unexpected situations. 2. Use turn signals when temporarily parking on the roadside: Always turn on your turn signal in advance when temporarily parking on the roadside, and check your rearview mirror to ensure there are no vehicles or pedestrians before pulling over. The parking location must be legally permissible and should not obstruct the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. 3. Park in well-lit areas: Choose bright and open areas for temporary parking, and avoid hiding your car in corners. For long-term or overnight parking, always use a parking lot. Additionally, exercise extra caution and care when parking during severe weather conditions or in particularly crowded streets.
I've encountered this situation once before. I parked at a shopping mall for five days and only discovered a long scratch on the side door when I went to retrieve the car. I immediately took photos with my phone, making sure to capture all angles, including the tire marks on the ground. I promptly contacted the property management to check the surveillance footage, as some malls only keep recordings for seven days—miss that window and the evidence is gone. Reporting to the police is also time-sensitive; they require an accident report for case filing, and you must notify your insurance within 48 hours to avoid disputes. If the offending vehicle can't be identified and you have to cover the repair costs yourself, do the math: minor scratches can be fixed at a quick repair shop for a few hundred bucks, but filing an insurance claim might increase your premium the following year, which may not be worth it. Remember to avoid parking in corner spots—those areas are particularly prone to scrapes.
