What to Do If Your Car Gets Scratched?
2 Answers
If the car is only lightly scratched: The scratches are not very serious, only the outermost layer of paint is damaged, and the scratched paint can be repaired by waxing. If the body paint has been damaged: Some of the paint has peeled off, and you can try to repair it by repainting it yourself. If the scratch has damaged the body bottom or even caused deformation: The corresponding paint needs to be ground off, then the body needs to be repaired, and finally, the various layers of paint need to be reapplied. However, this method cannot be done by the car owner themselves and can only be handed over to a 4S shop or a professional car beauty shop for repair. Report to the insurance company immediately on the spot and let the staff assess the damage to determine the loss of this accident. If it is an old scratch, the insurance company will not compensate.
Last time my car got scratched, I first stopped the car and carefully checked the depth and location of the scratch. If it was just a minor surface scratch, I would handle it myself without rushing to report it to the insurance. I took clear photos with my phone, including the surrounding environment and the license plate number, which is very important. In case I encounter someone with no integrity who flees, this evidence can be helpful. Then I consider whether to go through insurance or pay out of pocket. I usually handle minor damages myself, buying a touch-up pen online for a simple fix, saving the hassle of affecting the insurance premium. But if the scratch is deep and exposes the primer, requiring professional repainting, I contact a familiar repair shop to schedule an appointment. For prevention, I make a habit of parking in spots near the edge, avoiding the center of the passageway to reduce the risk of being scratched by passersby. I also regularly wax the car to protect the paint, so minor issues are less likely to occur.
