What to Do If Your Car Is Intentionally Scratched?

[SanEmilio]

You can use the evidence recorded by the dashcam or seek assistance from the administrator to retrieve surveillance footage, then provide the information to the police for help. When taking photos for evidence, it's best to add a watermark with the time and location on the photos for easier use in the next steps of evidence collection, including the specific license plate number.

[VonHeidi]

I've got plenty of experience with car scratches. Last year, my car parked by the roadside in my neighborhood got a long scratch. I immediately took photos from various angles, including the position of the car marks on the ground. After reporting to the police, officers came to collect evidence and checked the surveillance from the nearby store, but unfortunately, they didn't catch the culprit. Later, I claimed the damage through my car insurance, but had to pay 30% of the repair cost myself. Now, I always try to park in spots with surveillance cameras and even put a 'Surveillance Inside' sticker on the windshield as a deterrent. It's been effective—no scratches for three months. Oh, and remember to keep the police report receipt; you can claim compensation if the culprit is caught.

[LaLeonardo]

Last week, my white SUV got scratched with a cross mark in the mall's underground parking lot, which was really frustrating. I first took a video around the car and noted down the parking space number and time. When I asked the property management to check the surveillance footage, they kept making excuses, so I directly called the police. Only after the police arrived did the property management cooperate in retrieving the footage. The repair technician said the scratches went deep into the primer, requiring a full repaint of the panel, and it cost 1,800 RMB through insurance. My advice is, if you encounter such a situation, don't rush to move your car, as evidence can easily be lost. Now, I always park right under surveillance cameras or near security booths.

[DeReed]

Last time, my car had a half-meter-long scratch on the right door, probably caused by a key. I immediately recorded the scene with my dashcam, including the footprints on the ground. The insurance agent reminded me that if the perpetrator couldn't be found, I'd need to file a police report first to get a certificate for the claim. For the repair, I opted for partial touch-up painting, which cost 600 yuan. The most annoying part was that my insurance premium increased by over 800 yuan the following year, making it more expensive than paying for the repair out of pocket. Now, I keep scratch wax in my car to handle minor scratches myself. When parking, I make sure not to block others to reduce the risk of getting scratched.

[EvelynAnn]

When my wife's car got scratched in the company parking lot, here's how we handled it: First, we called 122 to report the incident to the police for documentation. Then, we contacted the property management to check the surveillance footage. Although we couldn't identify the culprit, we obtained a written statement confirming the lack of surveillance records, which allowed the insurance company to provide full compensation. The bodywork and repainting cost 1,500 yuan, and the 4S shop took three days to complete the repairs. I recommend installing a 24-hour parking surveillance camera—the kind that costs around 200 yuan will do. If something like this happens again, you can directly identify the responsible party. Also, when parking, try not to park too close to the edge; leave enough space for neighboring cars to open their doors.